Economics

The iPhone maker will boost its U.S. investment by $100 billion, which sent the Dow Jones stock soaring.

As business adoption of AI picks up, employee morale could take a hit. But there are ways to avoid an AI backlash.

This article offers the information you need about car insurance in Arizona. It identifies best choices among the insurers who write policies in the Grand Canyon State, as well detailing the car insurance you’re required to carry there. Also included is data about the state’s insurance costs and their drivers – such as how many drivers compared with other states tend to be uninsured, based on data from the Insurance Research Council. What to know about car insurance in Arizona Arizona is a relatively expensive state when it comes to buying car insurance, according to an analysis of a number of surveys of premiums across the country. The state’s minimum requirements for car insurance coverage are lower in some respects than those for some states. They include relatively low per-accident liability limits and the need to carry uninsured/underinsured driver liability. Arizona’s “Stupid Motorist Law” fines motorists who drive their vehicles into flooded areas and require emergency assistance to get out. How we chose the best car insurance in Arizona Money’s picks for the best car insurance in Arizona all offer standout coverage and are based on the selections in our national ranking of the best car insurance providers. We also consider how companies fared in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study, which includes a ranking of customer satisfaction in the Southwest, and complaints data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). For more details on how we select picks, see the methodology below. Top picks for the best car insurance companies in Arizona Allstate Amica Auto-Owners Insurance GEICO Nationwide State Farm Reviews of the best car insurance companies in Arizona These insurers are top picks among those that write auto insurance policies in Arizona, based on their rates, customer satisfaction and variety of offerings. The best car insurance companies in Arizona have options for good drivers to lower their rates, discounts for bundling multiple policies and flexible coverage to help drivers save money. (See the methodology below for more details.) Listed in alphabetical order: HIGHLIGHTS Satisfaction About average in the Southwest: J.D. Power (627/1,000; average is 636). Complaints Better than most: NAIC (index of 0.7; 1.0 is average) Financial stability Superior (A.M. Best rating, A+) Allstate scored a little below average in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study for the Southwest. Its record of complaints with the NAIC is also better than the norm. It’s among the companies that offer a diminishing deductible to customers who make no claims within a certain period. The optional Allstate’s Deductible Rewards program lets drivers earn an immediate $100 off their collision coverage deductible, and another $100 in deductible savings for each year they drive without getting into an accident, up to a maximum savings of $500 – a relatively generous schedule. There are also decent discounts of up to 25% on both your car and homeowners insurance if you bundle both of those insurance types from Allstate. (However, Allstate car insurance premiums are often more expensive than competitors’, so be sure to research costs before assuming an Allstate bundle will necessarily be less expensive.) Other pluses include a comparatively high discount of up to 40% if Allstate’s Drivewise telematics program determines that you are a good driver. One big drawback: unlike some competitors’ telematics programs, your rates could rise if Drivewise identifies risky behavior. A Milewise pay-as-you-go policy option allows you to pay a daily rate plus a per-mile charge on days you drive. HIGHLIGHTS Satisfaction Insufficient data for J.D. Power’s Southwest ranking, but Amica ranks highly in other J.D. Power customer satisfaction surveys Complaints Much better than most: NAIC (Index: 0.57) Financial stability Superior: A.M. Best (Rating, A+) Amica is known for top-notch service. Dur to a lack pf data, Amica isn’t ranked for customer satisfaction in the Southwest from J.D. Power. But the insurer ranks very well in regions in which it’s listed by the company. Also, Amica has fewer complaints lodged with the NAIC than would be expected for an insurer of its size. It also has a standout B rating from body shops and other repair facilities that report their experiences with insurers to the Crash Network. (The Network grades most insurers as C or lower.) The company’s telematics program stands out for allowing customers to redeem good-driving rewards for gift cards with merchants such as Amazon and Target. Amica’s premiums tend to be more expensive than the norm in price comparisons, though, so this is an insurer best suited to those who value top-of-the-line customer service over cost savings. HIGHLIGHTS Satisfaction About average in the Southwest: J.D. Power (634/1,000; average is 636) Complaints Much better than most: NAIC (Index: 0.43, 1.0 is average Financial stability Superior: A.M. Best (Rating, A+) Auto-Owner’s Insurance stands out by offering a generally economic if fairly bare-bones option for car insurance. the company has premiums that tend to be less expensive than the norm in price comparisons. It scored about average on satisfaction in the Southwest in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study. It has a lot fewer complaints lodged with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners about its car insurance than would be expected for an insurer of its size. It’s another of the companies that offer a diminishing deductible that further reduces costs for customers who make no claims within a certain period. Over the years, the feature can escalate to deliver a maximum credit of $500 from the program. On the downside, the insurer requires you to buy its policies through independent insurance agents. There’s no ability to get even premium quotes online, which may frustrate insurance buyers who are accustomed to comparing the cost of car insurance without getting into a car or picking up a phone. HIGHLIGHTS Satisfaction Below average in the Southwest: J.D. Power (624/1,000: average is 636) Complaints Better than most: NAIC (index: 0.75; 1.0 is average) Financial stability Very superior: A.M. Best (Rating, A++) GEICO is a decent, though not outstanding, insurer in most respects. It scored

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 11, 2025 New York, NY – Working in Support of Education (W!se) is pleased to announce that it has received a generous grant from Deutsche Bank to enhance the use of artificial intelligence in our financial literacy programs. W!se’s Financial Literacy Certification program equips students and teachers with essential knowledge in personal finance, ensuring that young people graduate high school financially literate. Deutsche Bank’s continued investment in our AI tool kit will help W!se deliver the program more efficiently and effectively. “Deutsche Bank is a longstanding and cherished partner that truly values innovation in education,” said David Anderson, President and CEO, W!se. “This new and very generous grant will help us stay at the forefront in financial education by integrating artificial intelligence to strengthen our testing infrastructure for both students and teachers. A portion of the grant will support continued development of test questions through W!se’s dedicated AI platform. This AI platform allows us to remain at the cutting edge of assessment development for both students and educators. The remaining funds will support the adoption of an AI-powered remote proctoring system integrated with W!se’s online testing service. This will allow teachers to take the Certification in Personal Finance Test from the comfort of their homes while ensuring test integrity through advanced AI monitoring. “Financial education is critical to creating stable, secure financial futures,” said Alessandra DiGiusto, Executive Director of Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation. “We are thrilled to support W!se in their mission to provide essential financial literacy to students, and we believe that integrating artificial intelligence will enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of their programs.” About Working in Support of Education (W!se) Working in Support of Education (W!se) is a leading educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in New York City with a mission to improve economic mobility through programs that develop financial literacy and readiness for college and careers. Our initiatives are built on 5 pillars –relevancy, real-world experiences, partnerships, volunteerism and evaluation. The post Working in Support of Education Receives Generous Grant from Deutsche Bank first appeared on W!se. The post Working in Support of Education Receives Generous Grant from Deutsche Bank appeared first on W!se.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  – June 20, 2025 NEW YORK, N.Y. – Working in Support of Education (W!se) hosted its 30th Annual Quality of Life INNOVATIONS (QLI) Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 12 at the LGBT Center in New York City. At the conclusion of a rigorous competition, the event celebrated the outstanding achievements of high school students from all five boroughs who developed innovative, research-based solutions to pressing quality of life issues in their communities. Eight finalist teams presented their projects before a panel of esteemed judges during the competition’s Final Round. This year’s milestone Ceremony featured moving student presentations, recognition of mentors and educators, and a keynote address by the first ever QLI Scholarship Winner who shared how the program shaped his academic and career path. This year’s scholarship winners are: First Place was awarded to Salahaldeen Ibrahim (Staten Island Technical High School) for developing “Peace of Mind,” a low-cost, machine learning tool that models the risk of developing five dementia subtypes using routine medical data. His model achieved between 85% and 92% accuracy when tested on national medical datasets and was piloted in a Mount Sinai lab. Overall, the tool was designed to improve early diagnosis in marginalized communities and reduce caregiver burden. Second Place went to Tamana Saini, Zoe Sharapov, and Jenny Ye (Forest Hills High School) who created an engaging, multilingual emergency preparedness lesson for NYC 4th and 5th graders. In partnership with EMTs, firefighters, and teachers, the team taught 656 students life-saving skills such as calling 911 and responding to medical emergencies. Post-lesson assessments showed a dramatic increase in students’ confidence and readiness—92.6% felt better prepared. Third Place was awarded to Angel Mizhquiri, Anisa Akobirova, and Emily Padilla (Forest Hills High School) for launching S.H.E.L.L., a peer tutoring program addressing the academic and social challenges of English Language Learner (ELL) students. With bilingual volunteers providing tutoring during and after school, 100% of participants improved academically, and 80% reported increased classroom confidence. The program was praised by educators and city officials and won first place at the MyImpact Civics Fair. Additional awards included: Gold Ribbon Issue Brief Awards Annarose Grizzle (Brooklyn Technical High School): “Biomimicry in Well Alternatives Implemented in Forest Fire Regions” Elizabeth Vovkanych (James Madison High School): “Effects of Social Media on the Attention Span of Teenagers” Creative Idea Award Alina Liu, Michael Manganel, and Ashley Li (Staten Island Technical High School): “Prevent the Growth, Prevent the Spread: An Accessible Solution to Combat Wood Rot” Writing Award Ivonne Cruz, Flordalia Gonzalez, and Scarlet Hurtado (Forest Hills High School): “Reading for Recovery: Making Bibliotherapy Available for Psychiatric Patients” “These extraordinary students are not only using their creativity and passion to identify problems—they’re designing real-world solutions. These have the potential to make a significant impact in their communities and the world at large,” said David Anderson, President and CEO, W!se. “The 30th anniversary of QLI is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when young people are given the tools, support, and opportunity to lead.” To view more photos, click here. About the Quality of Life INNOVATIONS Program (QLI) QLI invites high school students to become civically engaged and social entrepreneurs by using applied research to solve real-world problems. Students conduct extensive background and field research on a quality of life issue that they choose, and work with key stakeholders to develop feasible solutions. Participants have the opportunity to submit their research proposals to the QLI competition for the chance to win college scholarships.  The program is made possible by the generous support of PWC, the Herb Block Foundation, and The New York Community Trust. About Working in Support of Education (W!se) Working in Support of Education (W!se) is a leading New York City-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving economic mobility through programs that foster financial literacy and readiness for college and careers. W!se’s initiatives are grounded in five pillars: relevancy, real-world experiences, partnerships, volunteerism, and evaluation. Media Contact: Samantha Spina Sspina(at)wise-ny.org The post New York City Students Honored at 30th Annual Quality of Life INNOVATIONS (QLI) Awards Ceremony first appeared on W!se. The post New York City Students Honored at 30th Annual Quality of Life INNOVATIONS (QLI) Awards Ceremony appeared first on W!se.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 4, 2025 New York, NY — Working in Support of Education (W!se) is pleased to announce that its second annual 5K Fun Run, will take place on June 5 at Pier 46 in Hudson River Park, New York City. Following the enthusiastic response to last year’s inaugural event, this year’s Run promises to be even bigger and better, bringing together supporters from across the City for an evening of friendly competition, wellness, and fun. The 5K is open to runners and walkers of all skill levels. Proceeds will directly benefit W!se’s award-winning programs that promote financial literacy and college and career readiness among students and at-risk adults nationwide. “We’re excited to hold the run again,” said David Anderson, President and CEO, W!se. “Last year’s 5K was a tremendous success, and we look forward to another evening with our wonderful sponsors, donors, volunteers and their friends, all of whom are so vital to our success.” This year’s event is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors: Premier Sponsor: National Organization of Investment Professionals Finish Line Sponsor: Fortitude RE Award Sponsor: Mercer Advisors Afterparty Sponsor: Cerity Partners Refreshment Sponsors: Galaxy Digital Additional Sponsors: Lisa E. Solomon and Deck Remodelers Participants will enjoy scenic views along the Hudson, music, refreshments, awards for top finishers, and an afterparty. Registration is now open at https://bit.ly/wisefunrun. About Working in Support of Education (W!se) Working in Support of Education (W!se) is a leading educational nonprofit based in New York City with a mission to improve the lives of young people and at-risk adults through programs that develop financial literacy and readiness for college and the workforce. For more information, visit wise-ny.org. Follow W!se on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @wisenewyork. Media Contact: Samantha Spina sspina(at)wise-ny.org The post Working in Support of Education to Host Second Annual 5K Fun Run first appeared on W!se. The post Working in Support of Education to Host Second Annual 5K Fun Run appeared first on W!se.

For Immediate Release – May 16, 2025 New York, NY — Working in Support of Education (W!se) is excited to announce the winners of its 2025 Financial Literacy Video Contest, a creative initiative designed to promote financial literacy among high school students. Generously sponsored by Bread Financial®, the contest was expanded from New York City to students throughout New York State. After several rounds of rigorous judging, five videos stood out for their quality and creativity. They also excelled in delivering a compelling message about sound money management. The five winners are: First Place: Thai Merritt, HS of Art and Design, NYC; Teacher: Hanan Harchol Second Place: Shifa Rabaja, Thomas Edison CTE HS, NYC, Teacher: Sandra Cruz Third Place: Jillian Klemann, Fredonia Central, Chautauqua County, Teacher: Daniel Darrell-Sterbak Fourth Place: Milo Rhames, HS of Art and Design, NYC Teacher: Michael Bridenstine Fifth Place: William Baran, HS of Art and Design, NYC, Teacher: Hanan Harchol Each of these students and teachers will receive cash prizes. Three other videos received honorable mention: • Matthew Olivier from Shenendehowa High School, Teacher: Melinda Mellon • Jason Ye from High School of Economics and Finance, Teacher: Hiro Shinohara • Isabelle Bar-Lev from High School of Art and Design, Teacher Michael Bridenstine “We are thrilled with the continued success of our Financial Literacy Video Contest,” said David Anderson, President and CEO, W!se. “The quality and creativity of this year’s submissions were truly outstanding. With more students participating and new award categories, we’re proud that high school students are helping to spread essential financial knowledge with their peers. We are deeply grateful to Bread Financial for their ongoing support and partnership.” New award categories were introduced this year to recognize effort and broader range of talent: Principal Award: Moses A. Ojeda from Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Education High School Best Storyteller Award: Thai Merritt from High School of Art and Design, Teacher: Hanan Harchol Students were invited to create short videos on personal finance topics. This year’s prompts included: making three financial promises to their future selves and how they would keep them; creating a lesson (as if they were a personal finance teacher) on budgeting, credit, needs vs. wants, or investing; and explaining the benefits and risks of saving and investing as tools for reaching financial goals. “At Bread Financial, we embrace the unique opportunity we have to promote and support the financial wellness of our customers, associates and communities by empowering them to build financial confidence,” stated Dana Beckman, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Bread Financial. “It is with great pride that we support W!se and this competition for the second year. We were thoroughly impressed with the submissions, which showcase how an important topic like financial literacy can be both education and enjoyable. The work W!se is doing helps create a strong foundation for these students that will last for years to come.” To view the winning videos, click here. About Working in Support of Education (W!se) Working in Support of Education (W!se) is a leading educational nonprofit based in New York City with a mission to improve the lives of young people and at-risk adults through programs that develop financial literacy and readiness for college and the workforce. For more information, visit wise-ny.org. Follow W!se on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @wisenewyork. About Bread Financial® Bread Financial® (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers. Our payment solutions, including Bread Financial general purpose credit cards and savings products, empower our customers and their passions for a better life. Additionally, we deliver growth for some of the most recognized brands in travel & entertainment, health & beauty, jewelry and specialty apparel through our private label and co-brand credit cards and pay-over-time products providing choice and value to our shared customers. To learn more about Bread Financial, our global associates and our sustainability commitments, visit breadfinancial.com or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn. The post W!se Announces Winners of Annual Video Contest Promoting Financial Literacy first appeared on W!se. The post W!se Announces Winners of Annual Video Contest Promoting Financial Literacy appeared first on W!se.

Refinancing your student loans can help some borrowers pay off their debt quicker and save money in the long run. And it may be a good time to pursue the strategy: After the Federal Reserve started cutting its benchmark interest rate last year, student loan refinance rates gradually ticked down, though they are still not as low as they were a few years ago. What to know about student loan refinance When you refinance, you replace your existing student loan(s) with a new loan that has either a lower interest rate, a lower monthly payment or, ideally, both. When you refinance federal loans, you turn them into private loans and you lose access to exclusive benefits and repayment terms. Although there is a lot of uncertainty regarding federal student loans and possible changes to repayment plans, borrowers with only federal debt should not make any knee-jerk decisions to refinance. See industry insights and a comprehensive guide on when to refinance student loans here. How we picked our winners Our edit team has been covering student loans (and student loan refinance) for the better part of a decade. Our writers and editors independently analyzed and vetted student loan refinance products, focusing on eligibility, perks, interest rates and fees, to determine which lenders stand out. (See our methodology here.) If you’re looking for more information on in-school loans to pay for college, see our picks for best student loans. Our top picks for the best student loan refinance companies of August 2025 The following companies are listed in alphabetical order. Earnest – Best Overall ELFI – Best for Parents Laurel Road – Best for Healthcare and Medical professionals Lendkey – Best for Offers from Community Banks and Credit Unions SoFi® – Best for Member Perks RISLA – Best for Borrower Protections Pros Customizable payments Ability to set up autopay for biweekly payments Offers in-school refinancing for students in their final semester Cons No cosigner releases Limited product availability in some states HIGHLIGHTS Minimum income requirements Does not disclose Minimum credit score Minimum credit score of 665 (without a cosigner). Cosigners need a minimum credit score of 650. Loan amount $5,000 up to $500,000 Loan terms Customizable between 5 and 20 years Fees No origination or application fees. No late fees Fixed interest rate 4.45% – 10.49% APR (includes 0.25% autopay discount) Earnest is our top overall pick thanks in large part to its Precision Pricing tool, which is unique among lenders. Earnest allows borrowers to pick the monthly payment that fits their budget, and sets the repayment term based on that amount — even if it results in an uncommon number like 7.5 years. The result is more than 180 ways to customize your loan, the lender says. The repayment flexibilities don’t stop there, either. Earnest also allows borrowers to skip one payment every 12 months. Earnest doesn’t charge late fees and consistently offers low starting interest rates. In addition to the standard salary and credit score, Earnest considers additional details like how much you have in savings to help determine your eligibility. And it is transparent about what it offers for borrowers struggling to make their payments: You can make interest-only payments for up to 24 months over the life of the loan or request a financial hardship forbearance for up to 12 months. Read full Earnest student loan refinance review>> Pros Allows parents to transfer PLUS loans to student’s name. Excellent customer service Cons No rate discounts No cosigner release Fewer repayment term options for parent refinance loans HIGHLIGHTS Minimum income $35,000 Minimum credit score 680 Loan amounts Minimum of $10,000. Maximum varies based eligibility. Loan terms 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 or 20 years for students. 5 or 10 years for parents. Fees No application or origination fees. Late fee of up to $50. Fixed interest rate 4.88% to 8.44% Most lenders allow parents to refinance federal parent PLUS loans, but many require parents to stay on as the primary borrower. ELFI doesn’t; parents can refinance a PLUS loan in their name or refinance as a way to transfer the loan to their student (assuming the student meets the lender’s credit eligibility). ELFI only offers two repayment terms for parents (compared to five for student borrowers who are refinancing), but we still chose them for parents as other lenders also limit the number of terms available to for parent refinance loans. ELFI’s starting APR is slightly higher than some winners on our list, but it also has a lower maximum interest rate than most lenders. ELFI sets up all customers with a one-on-one session with a student loan advisor, and with more than 2,200 reviews, the company has a 4.9 rating (out of 5 stars) on Trustpilot — the highest of any lender Money looked at. Pros Low payments through the medical residency refinancing program Lower rates for eligible healthcare professionals Loan terms as long as 20 years Cons Limited options for those with associate degrees Lowest rates require you to sign up for a bank account HIGHLIGHTS Minimum income Does not disclose Minimum credit score Does not disclose Loan amount $5,000 to total balance ($50,000 maximum for associate degrees) Loan terms 5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years Fees No origination or application fees. Late payment fees of up to $28. Fixed interest rate 4.74% – 8.65% (with autopay discount) Rates current as of Aug. 1, 2025, rates subject to change. Terms and Conditions apply. All products are subject to credit approval. Please see all Laurel Road disclaimers here. Laurel Road is an online lender specializing in student loan refinancing for healthcare professions, including doctors, dentists, physical therapists and nurses. It partners with several professional organizations to offer rate discounts to these (and other) healthcare professionals. Plus, it has a program for individuals participating in a medical residency program that allows you to refinance your loans and pay just $100 per month for up to four years during your residency or fellowship. Many lenders don’t offer any