The COVID-19 pandemic kicked off a severe labor shortage — and quite possibly the most worker-friendly job market in many years. Unpredictable demand shifts exposed pre-existing mismatches between the knowledge and skills of available workers and the tasks for which they are needed. The sheer number of available jobs has also been running far above the number of unemployed job […]

A successful investor maximizes gain and minimizes loss. Though there can be no guarantee that any investment strategy will be successful and all investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, here are six basic principles that may help you invest more successfully. Long-term compounding can help your nest egg grow It’s the “rolling snowball” effect. Put simply, compounding […]

Baseball stadiums are filled with optimists. Fans start each new season with the hope that even if last year ended badly, this year could finally be the year. After all, teams rally mid-season, curses are broken, and even underdogs sometimes make it to the World Series. As Yogi Berra famously put it, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”1 Here are a few lessons […]

The IRS issued more than 128 million income tax refunds for the 2020 filing season, putting $355.3 billion into the hands of U.S. consumers.1 For most recipients, such a sudden influx of cash prompts an important question: What’s the best way to use the money? Last year, 27% of consumers said they planned to spend their refund on everyday expenses, […]

The original column appeared in the Tribune-Democrat, written by Eric Renner, CEO and President of 1ST SUMMIT BANK. Click here to see original column. Last week, the Federal Reserve announced that interest rates will likely increase starting in March in an effort to tame the economy’s elevated inflation, which currently remains well above the Fed’s goal. To the average consumer, […]