Citigroup chair and CEO Jane Fraser, speaking at an event at the Council of Foreign Relations last evening, got around to fintech competition, leaving me thinking of a peeve I have with her biggest rival, J.P. Morgan Chase. Noting that Citi has the largest global physical presence of any U.S. commercial bank, Fraser observed thatContinue reading “Chase, Fintech and a Dinosaur’s Paper Checks”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
A Woman Who Fostered New Americans
As the immigration wrestles continue in the streets and courts and in Washington politics, America lost a great “reformer” on the matter last month. Florence Phillips died at age 95 after spending nearly 20 years helping probably thousands of newcomers to the U.S. learn the basics of belonging here and ideally become citizens. Her EnglishContinue reading “A Woman Who Fostered New Americans”
When the Store Goes Shopping for You
As various press reported this week, New York city and state legislators are moving to join other progressive locales in restricting “surveillance pricing,” a latest form of digitally tailored marketing. The sinister-sounding practice is an offshoot of chip technology to guide consumers toward what either they or the retailer would like to deal on. DigitalContinue reading “When the Store Goes Shopping for You”
A Ticket Master Talks Olympics Sense
A few decades ago, I visited Fred Rosen, then the chief of Ticketmaster and–as now–an unrepentant advocate of market or “dynamic” pricing for commercial events. Here in this brief LA Times interview he reappears, defending the steep charge for seats to witness the 2028 Olympics–very much a commercial enterprise. The point he makes also appliesContinue reading “A Ticket Master Talks Olympics Sense”
Luckin’ Out With a Morning Joe App
Bloomberg had a story this week about Starbucks seeking to establish a technology base–perhaps outside the U.S.–where it could build out an internal team to (presumably) digitize more of the beverage-cafe business. It’s already doing that–while also following its new CEO’s mantra of re-personalizing the customer experience–but according to the article has wearied of payingContinue reading “Luckin’ Out With a Morning Joe App”
Build But Don’t Park Here? A Town Says No To That
Zoning reformers want to get rid of some strictures that were written into urban and suburban planning laws in the 1900s. Mostly, these changes are pushed by New Urbanists or YIMBY* activists who seek to remove “exclusionary” regulations that deter new housing, especially for potential residents of lesser wealth or income. But, not surprisingly, theseContinue reading “Build But Don’t Park Here? A Town Says No To That”
USPS Running Short of Cash…and Customers
The U.S. Postal Service has flashed another fiscal alert to its patrons in Congress–funds will run dry by next year without relief. The attached brief from the Cato Institute frames the falloff in usage that has precipitated the latest mail crisis. Simply put, even with the various (but limited) efficiencies this public corporation has beenContinue reading “USPS Running Short of Cash…and Customers”
Big Part of Phone Costs Is In the Small Text
Recently I succumbed to replacing my mobile phone. Though I chose one of the simpler Android models, and avoided nearly all add-on accessories, the price jumped up as I got to checkout. The reason: New York’s voracious taxing authorities. Whether it be on monthly usage bills or on purchases of the devices, governments have seizedContinue reading “Big Part of Phone Costs Is In the Small Text”
A Peek Into Special-Ed Primacy
Before the smart phone disrupted American classrooms (a disruption that is now being contained) the earlier great change in recent decades was what is broadly called “special ed.” Programs designed to address a range of learning disabilities have shifted resources across U.S. schools, for better or otherwise. The subject is an extremely sensitive one forContinue reading “A Peek Into Special-Ed Primacy”
Gridiron Riches Aren’t for Everybody on Saturdays
The “college” football season is in high gear, with ever bigger dollars flowing through what is actually a business. As a result–and also to raise their profile in attracting more students and fans–ever more schools are joining the bigtime (expensive) competition. Paradoxically, this is occurring even as participation rates in high-school football have declined noticeablyContinue reading “Gridiron Riches Aren’t for Everybody on Saturdays”
Tim W. Ferguson 