If you’ve noticed more headlines swirling around Jerome Powell  lately, you’re not alone. The Wall Street Journal and other major outlets have been covering a mix of political pressure, controversy over the Federal Reserve’s headquarters renovation, and broader questions about Fed independence . It’s the kind of news cycle that can feel unsettling—especially when markets are already sensitive to interest rates, inflation, and economic growth. So let’s slow this down and separ

What Just Happened? Over the weekend, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a nighttime operation in Caracas and flew them to New York in U.S. custody.[1] They are now in federal court facing U.S. charges that include narco‑terrorism conspiracy, cocaine‑importation conspiracy, and related weapons offenses. Both Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty , and these charges remain allegations in an ongoing case.[1] It’s an extre

The end of the year has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute it’s still light out at dinner, and the next you’re juggling calendars, travel plans, family traditions, and a growing sense that the year somehow went faster than expected. That’s usually our cue to pause. As 2025 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to wish you and your family a happy, healthy holiday season—and to say thank you for trusting us with something deeply personal: your financial life. A Year Th

Most people don’t overspend during the holidays because they’re careless. It usually happens because the season moves faster than we do. One minute you’re feeling organized… and the next, you’re looking at a growing pile of receipts wondering, “How did we get here already?” If you’ve ever opened your January statement with a little knot in your stomach, that reaction is incredibly common. The holidays stir up emotion, expectation, and a lot of tiny decisions that add up befor

Gemini 3 Arrives—Right as America’s AI Spending Hits Historic Levels If you’ve seen the headlines about Google’s new AI model, Gemini 3 , you’ve probably noticed something unusual: people aren’t just calling this an “update.” They’re calling it a shift —a meaningful step toward AI tools that feel less like chatbots and more like capable digital assistants. Strong reactions to Gemini 3 aren’t happening in a vacuum. They coincide with an extraordinary wave of AI spending in the