Core Insights - Accenture Plc is implementing a policy that ties career advancement for senior staff to the consistent use of internal AI tools, indicating a stronger emphasis on AI adoption within the company [2][3]. Group 1: Promotion Policy - The new policy applies to associate directors and senior managers, requiring "regular adoption" of AI tools for promotion eligibility [3]. - An internal communication highlighted that the use of key AI tools will be a significant factor in talent discussions related to promotions [3]. Group 2: AI Ecosystem Expansion - Accenture is positioning AI skills as essential across the organization and is expanding its AI ecosystem through strategic partnerships and tool deployments [4]. - Recent partnerships include an agreement with OpenAI to enhance employee access to ChatGPT Enterprise and collaboration with Anthropic [5]. - Accenture has also partnered with Palantir Technologies to provide AI training to over 2,000 employees using Palantir platforms [5].

Money market accounts (MMAs) can be a great place to store your cash if you're looking for a relatively high interest rate along with liquidity and flexibility. Unlike traditional savings accounts, MMAs typically offer better returns, and they may also provide check-writing privileges and debit card access. This makes these accounts ideal for holding long-term savings that you want to grow over time, but can still access when needed for certain purchases or bills. Find out which banks have the best MMA rat ...

Mortgage rates have hit another new low. According to Zillow, the average 30-year fixed rate is 5.76%. Today's 15-year fixed rate is 5.37%. If you've been waiting for a sub-6% rate, here's your opportunity. The number of lenders offering mortgage rates under 6% is growing. Today's mortgage rates Here are the current mortgage rates, according to our latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 5.76% 20-year fixed: 5.78% 15-year fixed: 5.37% 5/1 ARM: 5.86% 7/1 ARM: 5.69% 30-year VA: 5.38% 15-year VA: 5.04% ...

Core Insights - The report highlights that merchandise returns accounted for $706 billion in losses last year, with preventable loss from fraud and abuse reaching $100 billion, which is 14.2% of all returns [1][2] Returns-Related Loss Breakdown - Returns abuse constituted 12% of returns-related losses, while fraud accounted for 2% [2] - Shrinkage added another $90 billion in losses, primarily due to employee theft ($26 billion), inventory errors ($19 billion), operational errors ($12 billion), and organized retail crime ($9 billion) [2] Retailer Strategies and Insights - Appriss Retail CEO emphasized that returns significantly impact retailers' financial performance, urging leaders to adopt a Total Retail Loss perspective and collaborate across functions to mitigate losses [3] - The report indicates that fragmented data results in billions in losses, with cross-channel fraud from buy online, return in-store (BORIS) transactions leading to a $4 billion loss [3] Return Channels Analysis - Different return channels contributed variably to total returns: buy in-store, return in-store transactions generated $367 billion (52%); buy online, return in-store accounted for $208 billion (29%); and buy online, return online made up $131 billion (19%) [4] Consumer Behavior and AI Insights - Data analytics and AI can effectively identify and warn customers exhibiting abuse patterns, with 90% of consumers willing to repurchase after receiving a warning, potentially saving retailers $75 billion in retained revenue [5] - A significant majority of consumers (80%) desire transparency in AI return decision-making, while 71% trust human associates more than AI for approvals [5] - Retailers that centralize omnichannel data and maintain clear communication can utilize AI tools to identify abusive patterns and manage returns without negatively affecting loyal customers [6]

Deposit account rates are on the decline — but the good news is you can lock in a competitive return on a certificate of deposit (CD) today and preserve your earning power. In fact, the best CDs still pay rates above 4%. Read on for a snapshot of CD rates today and where to find the best offers. Where are the best CD rates today? CDs today typically offer rates significantly higher than traditional savings accounts. Currently, the best short-term CDs (six to 12 months) generally offer rates around 4% APY ...

High-yield savings account rates have been falling, but some of the best accounts still pay above 4% APY. In order to get the highest interest rate possible on your savings, it’s important to do your research and find competitive offers. Not sure where to start? Here’s a closer look at savings interest rates today and where you can find the best ones. Where are the best savings interest rates today? The average interest rate on a traditional savings account is only 0.39%, according to the FDIC. However, ...

You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Bard Financial Services, a Connecticut-based advisory firm managing $1.2 billion in assets, has joined Osaic’s W-2 employee independent channel after nearly four decades as an Osaic partner.  Financial advisor Kenneth Spitzbard is leading the Branford, Conn.-based team with partner Jeffrey Welsh and Managing Director Julie Cross Hoko. Bard Financial was founded in 1986 by Spitzbard’s fathe ...

You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Integrated Partners, a Boston-based registered investment advisor and office of supervisory jurisdiction of LPL Financial, has launched a private wealth division focused on guiding business owners through exit strategies. The new division will offer small business owners and their families financial planning, tax strategy, insurance and family office services, the firm announced Tuesday. Integr ...

This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Update: Feb. 25, 2026: Bloomberg News reported Tuesday that the fintech Stripe may be interested in buying PayPal, or some of its assets. A spokesperson for Stripe declined to comment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- There aren’t many companies in the payments sphere that could digest a $40-billion market-cap company lik ...

This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Del Taco franchisee Matadoor Restaurant Group, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections in July, has closed all of its 14 locations in Georgia as of last week, Del Taco confirmed in an email to Restaurant Dive. Del Taco no longer lists any locations open in Georgia on its website and only lists one Alabama location — where Matadoor als ...