Economic statistics including jobs, consumer sentiment and Fed funds rates for September 7th

Insight into international trends for September 10th

Global economic highlights as of September 17th

Now that your taxes are out of the way, add these eight relatively easy tasks to your late-spring-cleaning list.
Once or twice a year, there are a few things that need to be done around your home. Change the batteries in the smoke detectors. Replace the furnace filters. And perform a handful of rather important financial tasks.

Monthly key market and economic observations

Helping your employees prepare to retire comfortably on their own schedule has significant benefits for your company and for your workforce.
Helping your employees prepare to retire comfortably on their own schedule has significant benefits for your company and for your workforce. But women face unique challenges. Find out how you can address their issues proactively.

Being engaged in your work and working hard isn't the same as compulsive working that comes at the expense of your well-being and interpersonal relationships.
Being engaged in your work and working hard isn't the same as compulsive working that comes at the expense of your well-being and interpersonal relationships. Discover surprising ways to strike a balance.

This webinar features experts who will help us identify and evaluate the solutions public finance entities have and are using to fund their public pension liabilities.
This webinar features experts who will help us identify and evaluate the solutions public finance entities have and are using to fund their public pension liabilities. PNC Public Finance Disclosure

We examine the shape of employer-sponsored healthcare plans, why companies struggle, and how they are coping with exploding healthcare costs.
Willow Research and PNC Healthcare conducted a study of senior level executives at U.S. companies who offer healthcare benefits to their employees. We examined the contours of employer-sponsored healthcare plans today, what companies are struggling with, and how they are coping with exploding healthcare costs.

Get a jumpstart on financial planning for the second half of the year.
Market volatility. Tax reform. Interest rates. The economy has dramatically captured the headlines in 2018. Watch this exclusive webinar featuring PNC economic and investment strategists to hear their perspectives on the financial markets.

We provide some approaches to effectively and efficiently control your healthcare costs while still offering competitive and attractive benefits programs for your employees.
While both employers and employees typically benefit from lower premiums with an HSA-Qualified Health Plan, it is also important for employers to help employees prepare for their greater responsibility and decision-making roles in how their healthcare dollars are spent.

A comprehensive retirement plan checkup can help plan sponsors identify existing or potential issues that could result in significant compliance problems or negatively impact plan participants.
Performing an annual review helps confirm that a plan is meeting applicable requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and related Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Labor (DOL) regulations and guidance, which is one of the essential responsibilities ofa plan fiduciary.

The right questions can lead to a comprehensive vision and better solutions for your business.
The right questions can lead to a comprehensive vision and better solutions for your business that take into account the long term as well as the short term, and the local as well as the global. At PNC, digging deep to find relevant ideas is in our DNA, and it’s the reason we’re able to provide critical guidance others often miss.

Your lawyer, your accountant, your banker. Most companies know they need this trio of professionals in order to meet their business and financial goals.
Your lawyer, your accountant, your banker. Most companies know they need this trio of professionals in order to meet their business and financial goals. But too often, management turns to their banker only when they need financing or an upgrade to their treasury management tools.

It's important to review your existing planning documents, such as estate planning documents, pre- and postnuptial agreements, and business buy-sell agreements.
The recently adopted tax reform legislation will have a substantial impact on family wealth management decisions. Here we provide an introduction to key tax provisions contained in the new tax law and explore the opportunities and challenges they present.  

Less than one-third of family-owned businesses survive the transition from one generation to the next. Start planning now with thought-provoking insights.
More than 50% of business owners in the United States expect to turn over their company to the next generation in the next five years, yet less than one-third of family-owned businesses survive the transition. Start planning now with thought-provoking insights.

Economic reports and exchange rate forecasts for the current quarter

Buy-sell agreements are key to business transition planning. Proper documentation can allow for continued success of the business by avoiding conflicts between business owners.
Buy-sell agreements allow you to express your goals as to how your business interests should be transferred in the future while creating contractual limits intended to allow those goals to be met.

Insight into national and regional trends for July

Insight into national and regional trends for August

We focus on three key areas for plan sponsors thinking about enhancing their pension risk outcomes.
2017 proved to be another volatile year for pension plan sponsors. The market environment combined with several regulatory updates may provide plan sponsors with some potential opportunities for 2018. 

Strategists examine challenges and opportunities for the current quarter

A recent study found strong evidence of the ubiquity of business aviation at America’s leading firms. More than 90% of firms recognized for excellence used corporate aviation assets.
Business aircraft allow organizations to better leverage what is almost always their most important assets: their people. They do this by saving employee time and creating productive environments in transit, two things that are nearly impossible leveraging other forms of transportation.

Economic statistics including jobs, consumer sentiment and Fed funds rates for August 31st

People are living longer, presenting a number of financial opportunities and challenges. Find out how to plan for the long term.
People are living longer and more dynamic lives than ever before. While planning for a robust second act, so too must you build out your financial plans to allow you to have the resources to do all the things you want to do in retirement. Providing for what are likely to be much longer twilight years also means providing for the challenges of reaching old age.  

Many U.S. companies with operations based in Britain wonder how Brexit will affect them.
With Brexit, seamless free trade access through Britain will end, and U.S. companies will need to establish new operations and offices in other EU countries. What’s more, as U.S. companies follow the Brexit process, many find they have new exposure to risks brought on by the upcoming separation.

PNC economist Gus Faucher believes that the U.S. economy is on solid footing in 2018, and growth will get a boost from expected cuts to corporate and personal income taxes.
Optimism among business owners and leaders remains high, but has shifted significantly to a more moderate level according to the PNC Economic Outlook, a biannual telephone survey of small and medium-sized business owners ($500 million and under), which began in 2003.

Strategists examine challenges and opportunities for January

Economic reports and exchange rate forecasts from the previous quarter

The price of gold rings and lords a leapin’ increased this year as did the pear tree – but not the partridge. Visit pncchristmaspriceindex.com for fun and educational features.
The PNC Christmas Price Index predicts True Loves will be on their merry way to a more robust and satisfying holiday shopping season this year. To purchase the gifts included in the classic holiday song “The 12 Days of Christmas,” it will only cost 0.6 percent more than in 2016, according to the 34th annual holiday economic analysis.

Health savings accounts can help fund medical expenses in retirement. If you wish to retire early, they can help cover health care expenses before you are eligible for Medicare.
If you wish to retire before age 65, a major roadblock may be the ability to pay for medical expenses before you are eligible for Medicare. While premiums for health insurance other than Medicare are generally not qualified expenses, you can use HSA money for deductibles associated with the health insurance plan you do obtain as well as co-pays and prescription drug costs.

Strategists examine challenges and opportunities for February

Whether your goal is to diversify while staying actively involved in the business or to execute on a complete sale of the business, an ESOP can accomplish either.
ESOPs provide owners with the ability to attain liquidity and address transition objectives in a tax advantaged manner. ESOPs provide flexibility and intangible benefits that are difficult or impossible to achieve with alternative exit strategies.

Many studies corroborate the notion that employee ownership yields positive outcomes for the company and benefits that employees can readily recognize.
ESOPs provide owners with the ability to attain liquidity and address transition objectives in a tax advantaged manner. ESOPs provide flexibility and intangible benefits that are difficult or impossible to achieve with alternative exit strategies.

Companies with lower engagement scores tend to have a sizable engagement gender gap.
As they take on more responsibility and have more direct interaction with senior executives, employees tend to develop a greater emotional commitment to the organization and its goals. But researchers have found companies with lower overall engagement scores tend to have a sizable engagement gender gap among employees in senior positions.

There’s still time to address year-end tax and financial planning. Here are nine possible tax-saving actions you can implement now.
Sometimes you don’t get to your financial planning as early as you would have liked. The good news is, it’s not too late to take some action. Here we provide a quick review of a few valuable income tax and estate planning strategies you might still use before year end.

More than $8.72 trillion has been invested in the United States in Responsible Investing strategies. Learn best practices.
The PNC Institutional Advisory Solutions® Investment Strategy Team has formalized its views on responsible investing for institutional investors. This summary discusses those views and key considerations for asset owners as they evaluate integrating responsible investing into the management of their portfolios.

The internal experience can help you find and retain qualified candidates.
The U.S. unemployment rate is at its lowest level since 2000, and the shortage of skilled workers has seldom been so severe. As baby boomers continue to retire, companies are struggling to find workers to replace them. ManpowerGroup found that 40% of global companies report having difficulty finding qualified candidates.

Cash balances continue to remain high; there’s a large investment in bank products and organizations have no plans to invest in prime money market funds. Could that change?
While much of the talk around money funds asks why corporates left, AFP’s survey attempted to dig a little deeper. We asked practitioners what might entice them to come back. Would it be a stable NAV? Is it a certain number of basis points? Is it the uncertainty around it?

Insight into the Indian economy

It’s important to review your plans so they reflect your current status and wishes. Use our checklist to identify documents you might easily assess on your own.
Your advisors can help you map out the provisions of your will and any trust(s) and compare them with the beneficiary designations of any retirement plans, life insurance, and any other resources that might pass by any form of contract. Compare the results to confirm that, in total, they accomplish what you want.

The 60% stock and 40% bond portfolio may no longer be sufficient to generate the returns required to meet the long-term goals of institutions and individuals.
As interest rates have decreased, investors have had to assume greater portfolio risk and asset class diversification to keep pace with their objectives. In 1995, an investor could earn a 7.5% return with a simple 100% fixed income portfolio. By 2015, investors needed a drastically more diversified portfolio, with fixed income shrinking to 12% of the total portfolio.

Make targeted hires who are recognized leaders in their discipline or industry.
Digital transformation requires technical staff with more advanced skills and multidisciplinary experience to understand the digital needs of the business at a deeper level. Technical staff must know and understand legacy IT systems and be able to creatively undertake the challenges inherent in digital conversion.

Insight into the Canadian economy
Canada is back on track. After real GDP growth of less than 2% in 2015 and 2016, it looks set to pick up to around 2.5% this year and next. A Bank of Canada survey showed the share of businesses planning to increase capital spending was nearly the largest in a decade.

Are you facing international cash management challenges without uniform internal systems – and with thinly-spread local staff?
According to a 2016 Ovum survey of 200 treasurers in 23 countries, only 13% of multinational corporates can see their real-time global cash position. Treasury teams need to achieve a greater degree of centralization and regain control of their company’s most important asset: cash.

The trend toward wind, solar and other renewables has taken hold.
Despite potential obstacles, the renewable energy industry has gained significant momentum, to the point where it has eroded coal’s share of the electricity-generation market. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the share of U.S. electricity generated by renewable energy sources, not including hydropower, steadily grew to 15% in 2016 from 10% in 2010.

We believe buy-sell funding has a “Goldilocks zone” of sorts in that parties to a buy-sell agreement will seek to find an optimal funding level.
Acquiring an appropriate amount of life insurance coverage, properly structuring ownership and beneficiary designations, and aligning the type of life insurance policy with the terms of the buy-sell agreement are critical to implementing a successful funding strategy.

A key to effective wealth management and family wealth transfer is recognizing the risks that threaten you and your family’s wealth and developing strategies to minimize them.
Recognize the risks that threaten you and your family’s wealth and develop strategies to minimize them. Disability, divorce and predators are just a few of the risks families face. A well-designed and well-administered trust is one of the most effective tools for managing life’s risks and achieving wealth goals.

Insight into the Brazilian economy

This year, more workers may be tempted to explore other career opportunities.
Many workers, especially millennials, don’t want to be managed in a traditional way. They want coaches who help them develop professionally and leaders who challenge and engage them. They want the flexibility to work from home and determine their schedules. Many want opportunities to pursue their passions and engage their creativity. 

Gain market insights from research developed by PNC’s Real Estate Market Analytics team by viewing this webinar.
Get an inside look at location and product concentrations; market rankings; product winners and outlook and opportunities in the market.

Only 22% of retirement plan sponsors are currently benchmarking the Income Replacement Ratio for their participants. And that can leave a major gap in participant retirement readiness.
The income replacement ratio is the percentage of pre-retirement income that an individual is likely to need to maintain their standard of living in retirement. Adding it to traditional benchmarking metrics can improve how plan providers, along with plan sponsors, communicate and educate plan participants.

Insight into the Australian economy

Trade negotiations, including changes to NAFTA and the uncertainties presented by Brexit make the need for foreign exchange risk mitigation more urgent than ever.
Evaluate current risk management practices, including the establishment of a hedge policy. Ensure that your internal policies and controls correctly account for risks. Update your management reporting systems to correctly list your FX exposures and hedging activity.

Many organizations are exploring how to better manage their retirement plan’s investment lineup, control risk, and keep costs down.
Is now the right time to consider outsourcing your defined contribution plan’s investment selection and monitoring? If you’ve already decided to outsource, how do you determine whether a nondiscretionary 3(21) or discretionary 3(38) fiduciary service is best suited to your needs?

RPA software programs mimic the keystrokes humans make to complete rote processes.
RPA software sits on top of legacy information technology systems or more complex intelligent automation applications. Because it’s less complex, RPA is easy to implement for fast returns in efficiency and cost savings. It can be integrated smoothly with legacy systems for enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management and business process management.

The Internet of Things links devices and people, often without human intervention.
The Internet of Things generates data to improve operations and anticipate actions. Sensors, software, the cloud, computers and other devices can seamlessly merge physical and digital technology for greater efficiency, improved service and better process management.

PNC’s economists forecast that the Federal Reserve will continue to raise interest rates throughout 2017 and beyond.
In order to reduce the impact of rising rates on borrowing costs, companies should develop and implement a comprehensive plan to manage their interest rate exposure.  PNC speakers provide a perspective on how external factors may affect your financing costs and what you can do to regain control.

Savvy companies understand that employees arecustomers too.
Researchers have learned it is profitable to view the overall employee experience in relation to the overall customer experience. Consulting firm Aon Hewitt found organizations ranking high on employee engagement realize a 4% increase in sales growth and a 2% increase in operating margin.

Pension plan sponsors are faced with a volatile political and macro landscape that presents significant opportunities and risks.
There is uncertainty around the timing and potential size of Federal Reserve rate hikes, the potential impact on the longer end of the curve, the policies of a new administration, and the ability of the economy to maintain the positive momentum of the last eight years.

Pension plan sponsors face a volatile landscape that presents significant opportunities and risks, especially if they have a legacy defined benefit plan, or are considering a merger.
Healthcare systems are complicated organizations, managing their liabilities to maintain credit ratings in a competitive environment. Pension risk is a liability many systems face and several strategies available are highlighted in this article.

Noncompete agreements can dissuade employees from going to work for a competitor.
Proprietary knowledge is critical to business success and companies go to great lengths to protect intellectual property and trade secrets. For instance, many companies require employees to sign noncompete agreements upon their hiring to protect intellectual property from exiting the firm if the employee decides to leave.

“3-D printing,” is being adopted by many industries, from aerospace to chocolate.
Some economists view the rise of 3-D printing as a new industrial revolution. It can significantly cut the time to test and develop new products, speed delivery of custom parts and components, allow a higher degree of customization, and aid in refining prototypes for new, more complex products and designs.

Despite the prospect of a higher interest rate environment, access and availability in the debt capital markets remain open and attractive in both floating and fixed-rate segments.
Banks maintain a solid appetite for new loans as we enter 2017; however, it remains to be seen if banks begin to become more selective in their investment decisions in the overall context of a rising rate environment coupled (potentially) with a less rigid regulatory environment.

Companies like Amazon and Google set the tone for customer experience standards.
This customer-centric approach is driven in large part by digital technology and social media that have empowered customers and changed the rules for purchasing goods and services. For example, researchers have found 75% of online customers expect service within five minutes of making contact with any vendor or supplier.

2016 included a number of significant political and economic events that will usher in changes during 2017.
PNC’s Harris Williams & Co. subsidiary (www.harriswilliams.com) is a leading M&A advisor with experience across a wide range of industries. Bill Watkins, Managing Director, and Larissa Rozycki, Vice President, discuss results from 2016 and the rationale behind predictions for 2017 M&A activity.

Uncertainty regarding U.S. economic strength, global considerations and unanticipated events will likely result in continued market volatility over the near term.
We follow a consistent and disciplined approach to investing, seeking diversified sources of return. In our opinion, investors are best served if they work with their advisor to focus on their long-term goals, with an asset allocation that is appropriate for the risk profile and return objectives of their unique circumstances.

Employers must merge full-time, part-time and contingent workers into a cohesive team.
Growing ranks of contingent workers include consultants, freelancers, independent contractors, agency temps, day laborers and the self employed. individuals. These workers are not regular employees of a business but are engaged on an interim basis. They do not qualify for full-time work schedules, regular wages or company benefits.

Customers are open to using electronic and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.
Chatbots are increasingly being used to augment customer service. These technology applications use AI to process language, enabling them to understand human speech. They can decipher verbal or written questions and provide responses with appropriate information or direction. Many customers first experienced chatbots through dialogue boxes on company websites.

The team needs to be clear about the objectives and their roles in creating success.
To ensure the success of an innovation team, it’s best to go beyond professional credentials alone and consider drawing from a wide mix of personalities, experiences and skills. With roles and responsibilities clearly defined, innovation teams can bring about changes that profit their organizations.

Many employees and managers agree that annual reviews don’t fit today’s workplace.
Some analysts estimate that more than one-third of U.S. companies have thrown out the traditional annual performance review altogether. These businesses are experimenting with dropping traditional employee rating systems and replacing annual reviews with other ways to evaluate and reward performance.

As 2017 begins, stock and oil prices are moving higher and economic outlooks for 2017 are being revised.
Economic growth will be faster in 2017-2018 with assists from consumer spending, construction spending, business investment and Federal government spending, more than offsetting weakness in U.S. exports as the dollar continues to strengthen and growth outside the U.S. remains slow.

Large companies and municipalities are utilizing these bonds.
A CAT bond is a high-yield debt instrument intended to provide funds in case of a specified natural disaster. These insurance-linked securities can be used to distribute risk from natural events across a wider scope. Pricing is based on CAT modeling that analyzes potential exposure to weather and other catastrophes.

Long a trusted resource for financial institutions, SWIFT also supports corporate treasurers as they face expanding roles and shrinking resources.
SWIFT provides messaging standards that define a common means of structuring data for a broad range of financial purposes, from cash management and foreign exchange to trade finance. Additionally, SWIFT provides a highly secure proprietary communication platform and products such as SWIFT FileAct, which supports the exchange of bulk files between corporates and banks.

Operations and supply chains can be disrupted any time from anywhere in the world.
Business continuity and disaster recovery plans can serve as the first response in the wake of a disruptive event. A well-documented business continuity plan can help organizations anticipate likely scenarios, outline response actions and react rapidly, thus increasing the likelihood of resuming normal operations quickly and with the least interruption.

Stocks and bonds are expensive relative to history, growth remains sluggish, and corporate earnings have been unable to gather sustainable momentum.
We remain in a difficult market to forecast, particularly regarding the complex interactions between what we see as the weak fundamental backdrop and how current monetary policy might affect the dollar, interest rates, and investor risk preferences.

Big data and advanced analytics are transforming the way companies market.
Sophisticated tools are being used to better understand consumer preferences, buying patterns and key influencers in decision-making, as well as to validate marketing approaches that yield the best results.

Seven trends are altering the $3.2 trillion healthcare sector in new ways.
Projections show positive signs of economic stability, yet a degree of uncertainty lingers with some corporate executives. Additional interest rate hikes are widely expected in 2016, and the U.S. dollar continues to be strong against major world currencies, both of which could increase borrowing costs and reduce revenues.

Gender bias exists in hiring, performance reviews and opportunities for advancement.
Although both women and men struggle to balance work and family commitments, the majority of childcare, caregiving and household responsibilities fall to women. Pulled in two directions, many women are at a disadvantage in the workplace compared to their male peers.

States target unclaimed property to gain revenue to address their budget shortfalls.
Unclaimed property held by a company may include unclaimed payroll checks, outstanding vendor checks, supplier credits, accounts receivable credits, gift cards, rebates and customer deposits. It also may include abandoned bank accounts or stock trading accounts, unpaid insurance claim payouts, unclaimed pension benefits, and real property.

A sound security plan can protect access, safeguard company data and mitigate risks.
IT security experts note that cloud servers face many of the same threats as in-house servers, as well as some additional risks. These include data breaches, shared vulnerability attacks, malicious insider threats, denial of service (DoS) attacks and data loss.

You can find relief by improving management of invoice processing through payment.
Invoice automation can help you optimize the use of employee resources, significantly decrease the cost of processing invoices, help you capture vendor discounts more reliably and increase scale within your back office.  

Outsourcing enables company executives to remain focused on their core businesses.
Outsourcing remains attractive for many companies because it offers several advantages in addition to cost savings, particularly in addressing talent gaps and shortages, exploiting Big Data capabilities and implementing new technology quickly. Yet many companies struggle to transition their IT and noncore operations effectively to an outsourcing model.

It’s getting easier to digitally market products and services to customers.
To remain competitive in today’s market, companies need to provide customers with mobile access to their products and services. Apps can simplify online and mobile purchases and help consumers find useful product information. An app that is easy to use can increase order quantities and improve customer loyalty and engagement.

It's clear that corporations and individuals need to understand the risks and opportunities as an uncertain situation evolves.
Britain's Brexit vote upended expectations with 51.9 % of voters backing the "leave" campaign versus 48.1% backing "remain." The result sent shock waves through the markets and created an unstable political environment in the United Kingdom in the weeks following.

When planning for risk, start with the easiest and least expensive measures and work through the options, weighing whether each measure can address each risk appropriately.
Those who are perceived to have deep pockets present attractive litigation targets. Professionals and business owners are well aware of their risks. Many of these professionals can face malpractice claims, breach of contract claims, and personal injury claims, but there are a multitude of additional risks that professionals and employers confront.

Longer duration debt may cost more, but it can help you weather an economic downturn.
External factors impacting companies’ businesses and balance sheets can create a mismatch of assets and liabilities, if the latter come due too quickly. So the extra time provided by longer maturities can help companies through rough patches.

Choices about caring for your elderly loved one have to be made in context of what they could mean to your long-term future.
The conflict of caregiving duties with work activities is intense: Six in 10 caregivers who worked full-time in 2015 also reported having to reduce hours or take a leave of absence. Some workers find they are able to better manage when they take advantage of workplace accommodations such as telecommuting, flexible hours and paid sick days.

Chart provides detailed information on Money Market Fund regulation considerations at a glance.
Intended to preserve the benefits of money market funds while increasing transparency and strengthening investor confidence, new regulations effective in October 2016 will require a re-evaluation of your cash management strategy.

Industries face digital disruption due to fast adoption of mobile devices and apps.
Companies in the media, telecommunications, consumer financial services, retail and technology industries are the first being affected by digital disruption. But nearly every other industry will soon be impacted by new digital technologies that challenge their business strategies and how they interact with their customers.

New SaaS companies are relying on expensive financing around such as venture capital.
SaaS companies can lack the key measuring sticks that banks use to determine creditworthiness, namely inventory and receivables. Their inventory tends to be cloud-based and therefore a nontangible asset, and receivables are subscription-based and often amortized.

Honesty and transparency between lender and the borrower can deliver good outcomes.
Sometimes unflattering information such as shareholder lawsuits, past criminal activity, asset impairment, etc. are held back. This approach can affect your credibility and that of  your management team.

Insight into the Japanese economy

Intrinsic rewards motivate knowledge workers' creative thinking and risk taking.
It seems logical to pay incentives to employees for innovation in product development and research. However, behavioral economists have found that the opposite is true with knowledge workers such as software engineers, product developers, data analysts and consultants whose jobs are to develop original ideas and applications.

Technological innovation can improve the match of skilled workers to labor needs.
As more companies turn to digital labor platforms, global labor markets will draw in more workers and begin to optimize human resources processes and efficiencies. By 2025, $2.7 trillion could be added to global gross domestic product  from digital labor platforms and  employment could potentially increase by 72 million full-time equivalent positions.

The healthcare cost trajectory has significant implications for companies and employees today --and on retirement prospects for individuals down the road.
Changes in healthcare are monumental. It’s hard enough for employers to understand the new landscape. It can be even harder for employees, leaving a significant gap in understanding between the two groups, particularly when it comes to retirement planning.

Create an education program that incorporates both financial and physical wellness for your employees.Communicate with your employees to identify key topics of concern.
Employers can play a significant role in helping their employees achieve a financially secure retirement by addressing the least understood threat to their retirement dreams — the cost of healthcare. The failure to plan adequately for the increase in demand for healthcare in retirement and their projected costs may upend even the best-laid plans.

Blockchain is a decentralized electronic ledger that grows as data is added.
Blockchain uses cryptography to enable each user to add to the ledger in a secure way. As a new transaction occurs, both parties must verify its authenticity by consensus before it is recorded in a block. This eliminates the need for a central authority to monitor and validate transactions, instead relying on the consensus of the participants.

The buying habits of the world’s population are undergoing a major shift.
Companies may need to rethink their business models. Future success will be built on an approach, where growth is based on per capita spending rather than on increasing the number of customers, and products and services appeal more to the needs of urban populations and new age groups.Companies also need to consider how they can add or expand services.

Virtual reality hardware could be an $80 billion industry by 2026.
The ways we communicate, collaborate, learn and create potentially will be transformed as workers use immersive technologies to perform tasks and collaborate in more meaningful, multi-sensory experiences.

Successful innovators share certain traits that make success more likely.
This in-depth research found that inventive companies tend to possess eight essential qualities in varying degrees that form an “operating system” for successful, sustainable innovation. Here’s a summary of those traits.

Insight into the Mexican economy

Insight into the Chinese economy

A variety of changes and challenges are affecting the ability and willingness of middle-market companies to finance new initiatives.
One of the troubling uncertainties is whether the Federal Reserve will continue to increase short- term interest rates throughout 2016. Rising rates will affect borrowers’ cost of capital and likely reduce their demand for funding.

Rapid advancements in technology have fueled faster change.
Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen describes disruption as the process in which a smaller company with limited resources successfully challenges more established and larger industry leaders. He notes that disruption “displaces an existing market, industry or technology and produces something new, more efficient and worthwhile

Millennials need the right work environment to become a high-performing generation.
Millennials want to be challenged as they progress through their careers, and that usually plays out in mobility — the average tenure of Millennials is two years. Many are not willing to hang around if they feel their job offers little personal growth or career benefit. Instead, they are unafraid to strike out for better opportunities.

Whether you have made the decision to sell your business or are just exploring your options for the future, understanding the road ahead can mean the difference between success and disappointment.
Business sales are complex transactions that are influenced by many variables. Planning ahead can increase the likelihood of success and potentially enable you to navigate tax considerations. An experienced investment banker who is familiar with your industry can ensure that your business is positioned to achieve maximum value and that the sale process is managed properly.

An RFP allows your organization to describe its objectives, priorities and expectations for bidding potential service providers.
An RFP  helps you identify the best provider for your needs.It also plays a critical role in fulfilling the fiduciary responsibility of acting prudently and for the exclusive benefit of plan participants and beneficiaries, and serves as a written record of the systematic process behind the selection of your plan service provider.

Insight into European zone trends

You could deploy more and/or better revenue-producing equipment in service this year?
The Section 179 deduction can allow businesses of certain sizes (subject to specific limitations) to deduct up front, rather than depreciate over a number of years, the cost of equipment such as computers, vehicles, manufacturing equipment, farm machinery, office furniture, etc. Combined with the benefits of bonus depreciation and the incentive to acquire equipment and stay on the cutting edge of technology by continuing to buy equipment, this deduction can have a positive impact on your flexibility and growth.

Participation in the syndicated loan market was down 6% in 2015 compared to 2014.
Thomson Reuters reports that most of the new money supported M&A transactions, reaching an all-time record of $546 billion. Corporates borrowed $211 billion, and private-equity sponsors borrowed $120 billion. Investment-grade lending increased by 4%. Factors include high acquisition prices that took private-equity sponsors out of the market.

Data integrity can be compromised through cyber threats that manipulate data.
Quiet, insidious attacks may come in the form of planted malware or selective hacks that seize, modify or delete data or transactions in ways that benefit the perpetrators. For example, an attack could change a bank account’s direct deposit setting to channel deposits to another account.

2016 revenues are expected to increase in 16 manufacturing industries.
Projections show positive signs of economic stability, yet a degree of uncertainty lingers with some corporate executives. Additional interest rate hikes are widely expected in 2016, and the U.S. dollar continues to be strong against major world currencies, both of which could increase borrowing costs and reduce revenues

Factors pointing to the need for manufacturers to know their lenders.
Manufacturers found themselves in desperate financial straits because many lenders (especially those new to the market that had competed mostly on price) shrank their books or had to close them altogether.

Workplace wellness programs: What's the real ROI?
Employee wellness programs are a $6 billion industry in the United States. These programs have been touted for helping employees improve their health and prevent disease while lowering healthcare costs. Approximately 50% of all companies with 50 or more employees now offer wellness programs.

Best practices in cash forecasting
This article is condensed from The Treasury in Practice Series by Nilly Essaides, director of Practitioner Content Development at the Association for Financial Professionals, published October 2015 at AFPonline.org.

Indirect taxes are based on trade flows and transactions.
Because each country uses a unique mix of indirect taxes, companies are challenged to stay on top of tax requirements and liabilities. Government tax administrators may change their policies and rates very quickly in response to economic needs, and they expect international companies to respond immediately or face penalties.

Mobile wallet is a consumer-to-business payment technology that has become better known since the release of Apple’s iPhone 6/6 Plus and the Apple Pay™ mobile wallet.
A combination of the desire to reduce card fraud and the popularity of smartphones has led to the emergence of “mobile wallet” solutions for point-of-sale (POS) payments. However, the payments industry remains in the midst of the “mobile wallet wars,” as market entrants battle it out to see which technology approach and provider or providers will carry the day.

Challenges need to be addressed as the Internet of Things transforms our world.
We are in the early stages of transforming into an interconnected world of people and machines. Yet growth has been rapid, fed by the availability of broadband technology and the decreasing cost of connecting devices through the Internet. More equipment and devices are being designed and built with sensors and Wi-Fi capabilities and smartphone use continues to surge.

Many American workers are not prepared to retire, no matter what age.
A study by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System found only about 25% of individuals they surveyed were actively saving for retirement. The Fed study noted that the shift from defined-benefit plans to defined-contribution plans has placed greater personal responsibility on employees to plan and save for their own retirement.

Corporate leaders are now viewing machines as talent to be fostered.
Human-machine collaboration allows humans and machines to combine their strengths and compensate for each other’s limitations, leading to better outcomes.  Intelligent machines can be partners that learn and improve their skills and abilities as they work alongside human workers. Meanwhile, advanced technology is extending human capabilities.

A shift to a circular supply chain can keep limited materials in use longer.
Most manufacturers use a linear supply chain that extracts raw materials, manufactures products and distributes them to customers. At the end of the products’ service life, little is done to recycle and re-use materials. However, as commodity prices continue to rise, many companies are beginning to re-think this traditional linear model.

It's no longer science fiction to use your palm or retina to verify your identity.
The use of biometric authentication is being accepted internationally, largely due to the adoption of smartphones. Technology research firm Gartner estimates that 50% of consumers in established markets will use smartphones or wearables for mobile payments by 2018, and analysts have forecasted that by 2024 biometric methods will be used to verify all online transactions.

Companies are evaluating the impact of increased interest rates on global trade.
The U.S. dollar strengthened throughout 2015 in anticipation of higher interest rates and stronger economic growth. Advanced and stable economies such as Europe, Japan and India welcomed the Fed’s move, but many emerging markets are struggling with the impact of the rate hike.

Millennials may lack the skills needed to meet today's global challenges.
The demand for advanced knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is projected to explode in the next few years. At the same time, 38% of global manufacturers report difficulties in filling vacancies for skilled trades. Even college-educated Millennials often lack the technical and soft skills required for 21st-century careers.

Back to the Future: Global market unease
Global markets have had a tumultuous start thus far in the first few trading days of 2016, with a number of factors affecting market sentiment, triggering global equity markets to sell off. In the United States, the S&P 500® had its sixth - worst first trading day of the new year performance on Monday since 1928 (-1.53%).  

Insight into the British economy

The TPP trade deal is the largest in history and covers 40% of the world economy.
TPP nations pose stiff tariffs and export barriers on U.S. goods and services. Passage of the TPP would phase out these barriers for more than 11,000 categories. Critics fear increased outsourcing of U.S. jobs and threats to legal protections. The hope is that passage of the TPP will improve U.S. competitiveness and help develop new markets.

Integrated teams of in-house staff and freelancers can work well together.
Many employers were initially suspicious of workers’ requests for greater flexibility, but the bet has paid off. A recent study found that some form of telework is offered by 88% of surveyed organizations, 82% offer flexible work hours, and 81% support part-time schedules.

Recent worldwide sluggish growth has tempered enthusiasm for global connectivity.
As an after-effect of the global recession, world trade is expected to increase only 3.3% in 2015 and 4.0% in 2016, still below the annual average growth of 5.1% since 1990. Prolonged sluggish growth in GDP, especially in the high-income countries, has been cited as the main reason for this slow recovery in trade.

The goal is to create “smart factories” that improve productivity and profitability.
Manufacturers of all sizes, all over the world, are being affected by this paradigm shift. Myriad stakeholders — manufacturers, suppliers, technology companies, universities, government agencies and laboratories — are working to seamlessly link intelligent machines, advanced analytics and workers in the next generation of manufacturing processes.

Using a multi-track educational approach can teach participants the value of retirement plan participation and keys to staying on track.
Research suggests that plan sponsors are grappling with a conflict between the belief that they provide valuable participant education and the recognition that too many employees are not making informed decisions about their retirement.  A deeper understanding behind this disconnect may be the first step in developing a more effective participant education approach.

From soaring market volatility to an increasingly complex regulatory environment, the challenges confronting institutional asset owners have never been greater.
It comes as no surprise  that many pension plans, endowments, foundations and other investors are searching for new ways to achieve their investment objectives while controlling risk and keeping costs down.

Whether you use EFT or Virtual Cards, electronic payments can get funds to providers quicker, at a lower cost and with less risk than paper checks.
Like many other sectors, the healthcare industry is continually looking for ways to improve efficiency and productivity. Electronic payments can support these goals by reducing costs, improving payments accuracy (resulting in fewer disputes) and optimizing working capital.

Business leaders must be flexible and responsive in navigating increased volatility while remaining focused on their organizations’ long-term business goals.
With change accelerating faster than ever before in human history, four major global disruptions are occurring that will have significant impact on businesses. Although these trends have been well-documented, what is not well-understood is the full extent of their impact or the collective effect of these trends as they collide and merge.

The explosion of the Internet, social media, technology devices and apps is creating a tsunami of data. The challenge for businesses is how to make the best use of the information.
Big data is being used to better understand consumer habits, target marketing campaigns, improve operational efficiency, lower costs, and reduce risk. International Data Corporation (IDC), a global provider of market intelligence and information technology advisory services, estimates that the global big data and analytics market will reach $125 billion in 2015.

An estate plan should be dynamic with changes being made as your life changes. This article may offer some guidance as to when you should review your estate plan.
With greater wealth comes a greater potential need to plan. Estate taxes may now be an issue and you may want to explore various estate planning strategies to reduce your taxes or minimize the impact of those taxes. You may also want to establish trusts for children and grandchildren to better plan for their future.

Private equity firms have capital and corporate buyers have access to low-cost funding. It’s a sellers’ market for middle-market companies as baby boomer owners get ready to retire.
The market for middle-market acquisitions remains hot by historical measures, although it’s showing signs of cooling. The Lead Left, a capital markets newsletter focused on the middle-market space, reports that private equity funding fell in 2014 from the year before. Assuming the critical issues around monetizing a business have been addressed, why wait any longer?

PNC Healthcare commissioned Shapiro+Raj to explore changes in the healthcare environment and their impact on providers, payers, and employers. Here are the findings of that study.
Millennials will shape the future of American healthcare. They seek change throughout the system. They embrace retail and acute care clinics. They take the most responsibility for their own healthcare. They spend more time researching online, finding providers and getting others’ opinions and they will force much more change compared to Boomers and seniors.

The discipline that guided companies through leaner times should remain central to prudent T&E expense control as business travel picks up in response to increased sales.
With business activity increasing, it can be easy to let cost containment policies slacken. This is especially true for travel and entertainment expense policies, as business travel picks up in response to increased sales, hiring and training activities.

Integrated payables or “payables outsourcing” enables a business to send instructions for initiating multiple payment types to its bank in a single, consolidated file.
Integrated payables allows for end-to-end automation of the payables process. You can  receive back from your bank acknowledgments, confirmations and information reporting online or via secure file transmission. Integrated payables also facilitate migration from paper check disbursements to electronic payment alternatives.

Company growth often hinges on having the right talent in place and building bench strength. Many companies have found it smart to develop leaders at all levels of the organization.
Millennials are much more likely to job hop than Baby Boomers, who changed jobs infrequently throughout their careers. On average, Millennials change jobs every two years. As a result, moving forward, a human capital strategy that engages, recognizes, develops and retains talented employees will be critical to business success.

U.S. employers are having a hard time finding qualified workers. Many jobs now require technical knowledge and specialized skills that prospective employees simply don’t have.
Unfilled positions can be costly. The impact ripples through to lost production, poor customer service, delivery time delays, inferior work quality, low morale and higher turnover among those carrying heavier workloads. Business leaders and academics are rallying to address the skills gap with government program and a renewed focus on workplace development.

The business model for healthcare is reflecting changes driven by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), emphasis on cost containment, value, increased innovation and new technologies.
New care delivery options, robotics, remote monitoring, the use of big data, value-based models, the rise of health consumerism and an evolving healthcare workforce will transform the face of healthcare in the next 10 to 15 years.

The majority of your employees may not be investing enough for retirement and aren't engaged in retirement planning. Education can benefit your employees and your business.
Employees need to feel that they’re in control of their basic financial needs before they can focus on more complex, longer-term financial decisions, such as retirement. If you can help your employees become more confident in managing these needs, they’ll be more likely to plan for their retirement. And your company will benefit.  

Now that economic conditions appear to be stabilizing, many are re-focusing on improving their chances for a comfortable retirement. Some are taking a fresh look at their 401(k) plans.
Americans’ confidence in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement has plunged to a record low. But  these may mean a more realistic appraisal of the savings needed for retirement. Influenced in part by the recession and turmoil in the financial and housing markets, many are redefining retirement—including retiring later or crafting a “working retirement.

Over the past eight years, we’ve seen more than a doubling in U.S. commercial card usage, which includes purchasing and corporate cards, along with small business card spending.
Growing business confidence and the improved outlook for the economy has led to increased travel and entertainment budgets to support traveling employees and sales executives. As these budgets grow, companies such as yours need to closely control their increased spending — another one of the many reasons for implementing comprehensive corporate card platforms.

One of the legacies of the financial crisis is that companies are increasingly focused on managing working capital. Supply chain finance programs can boost working capital metrics.
With supply chain finance, a buyer can enable its supplier to get paid faster while receiving financing from the buyer’s bank at the buyer’s lower cost of funding. In turn, the buyer can negotiate extended terms or a discount on the invoice. The buyer’s ability to extend terms with the supplier can help drive working capital metrics to new heights.

Certain individuals who are ineligible to contribute directly to a Roth IRA may be able to CONVERT traditional IRA and qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan assets to Roth IRAs.
If you are fortunate enough to have more than sufficient retirement income and assets, here's a strategy that can be a great way to transfer wealth to the next generation.Traditional IRA balances can be converted to Roth IRAs in part or in whole and there is no limit on how often this can occur.

Plan sponsors are in a unique position to help their employees become more retirement-ready by considering plan design changes as well as consistent, effective employee education.
With retirement savings taking a back seat to more immediate financial concerns, and the percentage of workers confident that they’ll have enough money for a comfortable retirement at low levels, it’s more important than ever for plan sponsors to consider retirement readiness as a key — if not the key issue — their employees are facing.

With interest rates on the rise, do income-producing stocks still belong in the average investor's portfolio? The answer is, probably — but it depends.
Dividend stocks are enticing to investors during periods of volatility because in such a market they tend to perform well relative to more growth-oriented or higher-risk equities. Companies with a long track record of offering dividends tend to be slow growing; it’s their income potential that appeals to shareholders.

Risk can be defined as the possibility that your retirement assets will not provide for your essential living expenses. The retirement goal for most is to provide the cash necessary.
It seems more Americans are taking responsibility for managing their own retirement assets instead of relying solely on a pension. Many are also wondering how to fund the period after the traditional retirement age. Given these factors, we believe thinking about a retirement goal has never been more crucial.

In addition to expanded opportunity, international investing helps reduce portfolio risk through diversification. Allocations to non-U.S. stocks can reduce portfolio volatility.
International equity plays a critical role in a well-balanced portfolio. International stocks are a large and growing share of the global investment universe and offer investors the potential to capitalize on faster long-term growth trends abroad. There are also investment opportunities in industry segments that are dominated by non-U.S. companies.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can reduce costs and encourage individuals to take greater responsibility for their health. Find out where they fit in today's healthcare environment.
HSAs are not entirely new, but are receiving greater attention today in relation to high-deductible health insurance plans and the Affordable Care Act. They are often viewed as a strategy for reducing healthcare costs and for encouraging individuals to take greater responsibility for their health and the cost of care.

The primary benefit of auto enrollment is that it works to overcome inertia for individuals who procrastinate or do nothing about 401(k) plan participation.
Automatic enrollment has been particularly effective in raising 401(k) plan participation levels of groups with the lowest contribution rates — younger and lower-wage workers, but some questions remain. As a plan sponsor, you should understand both the potential benefits and the limitations.

Professionals such as physicians, attorneys and business owners are at risk for liability and litigation. Those who are assumed to have deep pockets can become high profile targets.
Asset protection planning is an important part of a comprehensive estate and financial plan addressing an individual’s risks now and in the future. Proper asset protection planning requires time, consideration and knowledge to fully integrate the planning holistically and effectively.

Your financial well-being, like your health, can benefit from regular checkups — but where to start? Here is a step-by-step plan to improve your financial fitness.
Pay yourself first. Create a budget. Pay down credit card debt. Prepare a personal net worth statement. Review your estate planning documents. Rebalance your investment portfolio. Review your insurance and your tax plan and seek guidance from a qualified wealth management professional to improve your financial wel being.

If you are a plan sponsor, you may be impacted by new executive initiatives, legislative proposals and a range of anticipated regulatory actions affecting retirement plans.
MyRA is a government-sponsored retirement account which is designed to be a starter account for Americans who have had difficulty saving for retirement. Eligible individuals whose employers agree to participate will be able to make myRA contributions via payroll deduction.

The first step in developing a solid 401(k) benefit plan is to create a request for proposal (RFP) that clearly describes a company's objectives and expectations.
The value of an RFP lies in the process and thinking that is invested in it. It should be designed to detail requirements for potential vendors. This exercise lays the foundation that creates the framework of a solid 401(k) employee benefit plan and helps identify an effective provider.

Whether you are establishing a new retirement plan or improving an existing one, setting goals is a critical first step in achieving a plan that is effective for the company and its employees.
Real success springs from a belief that the employer is in a partnership with its employees in a shared mission to help them achieve financial security in retirement. This partnership may take many forms, including matching contributions, auto-enrollment, continuing education and planning assistance.

Fiduciaries have important responsibilities and are subject to strict standards of conduct. However, plan sponsors may not know who the fiduciaries to the plan are.
If you are involved in the administration of your company's retirement plan, it is important to understand what your role as a plan sponsor entails, as well as how to delegate parts of your fiduciary responsibility if you choose to do so. Even unintentional mistakes can lead to a breach of fiduciary duty that can have significant consequences.

Companies are beginning to recognize the importance of having an investment policy that provides clear direction on how investments will be managed and how much risk is acceptable.
A solid investment policy include formalized forecasting and contingency plans to prepare key decision-makers for unexpected events. Contingency plans should include a scenario analysis that details events of varying risk or magnitude and how the company will react. For example — divest, stay the course, or become more conservative.

Does your company have a well-thought-out investment policy? Does your policy have clear, measurable objectives? Has it been written down and shared with the appropriate team?
Putting your investment policy in writing is the foundation of effective investing.  Your policy should provide benchmarks to help you evaluate how well it is working and what changes may be needed to make it more effective. While every company is different several elements should be part of every policy.

A retirement plan's design, carefully constructed, monitored and maintained, forms the foundation of any successful plan to provide a more stable and secure retirement for participants.
A well-designed plan serves as a magnet to attract and retain key employees; communicates to all participants that this is not simply an ordinary benefit at an ordinary company; and represents an opportunity for employers to illustrate their commitment to participants’ individual retirement plans and for participants to optimize their personal financial security.

Healthcare costs are forcing a new calculus on traditional retirement planning. They are rising faster than inflation and will consume a growing percentage of our spending as we grow older.
Individuals appear to be significantly underestimating what health care in retirement will cost them. According to a report issued by the Stanford Center on Longevity, “43% of middle-income Americans are paying more for healthcare with Medicare than they expected they would.” One reason for this may be that many are overlooking the prospect of long-term care.

Does your company have a well-thought out investment policy? Does your policy have clear, measurable objectives? Has it been written down and shared with the appropriate team?
Putting your investment policy in writing is the foundation of effective investing. Your policy should provide benchmarks to help you evaluate how well it is working and what changes may be needed to make it more effective.

There are five threats to retirement that investors should be aware of. This article discusses those risks and how investors can seek to mitigate them.
Thinking about retirement is no longer a future event for many Americans; most recognize the need for careful planning throughout their working years. While it is a positive that Americans are expected to live longer, this can add to the already daunting challenges of funding a comfortable retirement.

How significant are the economic problems in Cyprus?
Cyprus is a small country that has been getting a lot of press lately regarding its ongoing economic problems.  Its banking sector was significantly overloaded, forcing the country to seek bailout assistance, which was agreed to by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under a deal struck in March.

Fiduciary responsibility is very important to 401(k) plan sponsors.Confirming that plan fees and expenses are reasonable part of their role.
Benchmarking against comparable organizations’ plans is often the most cost-effective and least disruptive method to determine whether fees are reasonable. It involves comparing your plan to plans of a group of organizations that resemble your own. A thorough benchmarking process will balance fee components and value components.

Biases are the basis for cognitive and emotional errors when we apply them in financial markets and they often result in financial losses.
Humans have an amazing capacity for reasoning, memory, action, feelings and emotions. But capacity alone does not ensure that we will develop the proper biases to employ every day in predictive scenarios. In some cases, these biases come hardwired in our brains and work against us when it comes to predicting market movements.

If the business is transferred to a Delaware Incomplete-Gift Non-Grantor Trust prior to a sale, the business owner may be able to eliminate state and local taxes on the capital gains.
With roots that go back to the first bank charter in Wilmington, Delaware in 1795, PNC Delaware Trust Company has grown by providing customized strategies for personal and business asset protection and innovative wealth planning approaches.   A limited purpose trust company established under the laws of Delaware, it provides a number of benefits unique to Delaware.

As an owner of a privately-held company or an executive in a publicly traded corporation, you may be spending more time addressing economic issues and less on your own financial planning.
In order to be successful, your plan must be documented. For corporate executives looking to buy or sell their stock, this could include filings with regulatory agencies. A business owner may need to work with his or her legal advisors regarding a variety of structures to support the plan, such as buy-sell agreements, business entities and trusts.

Given the many reasons that companies may need an escrow account, it's important to screen escrow service providers to make sure they meet the needs of all parties.
When companies engage in mergers, acquisitions or real estate transactions, all eyes are on closing the deal. However, choosing an escrow agent — often a mandatory step in the process — is frequently low on the priority list, even though a successful close may rely on it.