>>MOCU Old Mill Opens
Mid Oregon Credit Union’s eighth full-service branch is now open. The three-story building on Southwest Bluff Drive in Bend’s Old Mill District is also the new corporate headquarters. Local architects and builders designed the nearly 16-thousand square-foot state-of-the-art facility. Mid Oregon's executive leadership, wealth management, home loans, and other departments will relocate…creating more space for the credit union's growing staff.
>>Last Trading Day Of The Week
(New York, NY) -- The opening bell rings this morning after another positive day on Wall Street as we wind down an abbreviated trading week, with things having been quiet on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. At yesterday's closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 408 points to 44-565. The S&P 500 hit a record high, rising by 32 points to 61-18. The Nasdaq was up 44 points to 20-053. Coming up today, data on consumer sentiment and existing home sales numbers are due.
>>Trump Claims Top Banks Are Discriminating Against Conservatives
(Davos) -- President Trump is accusing the CEOs of America's two largest banks of refusing to serve conservatives. Trump made the accusation on a video conference Thursday to an assembly at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. In a Q&A session, Trump lashed out at the head of JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, and Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, and said, "I hope you start opening your bank to conservatives" because many claim that "the banks are not allowing them to do business within the bank." Both banks deny discriminating against conservatives. Stock in both banks went up Thursday despite Trump's remarks.
>>Costco Rejects Anti-DEI Efforts, Calls For "Respect And Inclusion"
(Undated) -- Costco is rejecting efforts to reduce diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. A conservative activist group recently sent Costco a proposal saying they should conduct an evaluation to see if DEI policies pose any risk to the company. On Thursday, Costco's board of directors voted it down, saying the company will defend "respect and inclusion" as there are nationwide efforts to strike down DEI practices.
>>UnitedHealthcare Selects New CEO
(Minnetonka, MN) -- UnitedHealthcare Group has a new CEO. The company announced Thursday that Tim Noel will head the company following the shooting death of former CEO Brian Thompson. Thompson was killed last month while attending a conference in New York City. The alleged shooter was later arrested in Pennsylvania and is now facing murder charges. Noel has been with the company since 2007 and has served as CEO of its Medicare and Retirement unit.
>>JetBlue Accepting Venmo For Flights
(Undated) -- Travelers can now use Venmo to book a flight on JetBlue Airways. JetBlue announced that it's the first airline to accept payment via Venmo when buying flights directly on the carrier's website. The new feature is expected to roll out soon on the airline's mobile app. The announcement is part of JetBlue's goal of using digital technology to simplify and customize people's travel journey, the airline says.
>>Ford Recalls Over 270-Thousand Vehicles
(Undated) -- Ford is recalling more than 270-thousand vehicles due to battery failure concerns. The recall affects certain 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out in early February.
>>Possible Chicago Teachers Strike Growing
(Chicago, IL) -- The possibility of a Chicago Teachers Union strike is growing. CTU President Stacy Davis Gates is accusing Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez of deliberately stalling as contract talks between the two sides have reached a stalemate. An arbitrator was called in this week, which is required before a strike can take place. The fact finder will issue recommendations early next month. The two sides can reject or accept the findings. The CTU last went on strike in 2019 for 15 days.
