January 17, 2025, marks the day the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) stops being a talking point and becomes a reality. While financial institutions across Europe have been gearing up for this moment, the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) has outlined its plans for supervision and what firms can expect in the year ahead. If you haven’t started implementing DORA’s requirements yet, you’re already behind.
H&R Block, a household name when it comes to tax season, has found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The company recently settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for $7 million, after being accused of misleading advertising and leaving frustrated customers in its wake. While the fine may seem like a drop in the bucket for a company of H&R Block’s size, the bigger story here is the shift in how tax prep companies might approach consumer relationships and compliance moving forward.
For decades, just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing has been the benchmark for operational efficiency. This approach emphasizes delivering products in the fastest, most cost-effective manner while maintaining a highly visible platform for continuous improvement. JIT supply chains minimize resources—such as space, inventory, and workflows—to essential levels, reducing waste and enabling organizations to convert efforts into revenue with remarkable efficiency. By eliminating excess inventory, redundant systems, and systemic bottlenecks, JIT has become a cornerstone of modern manufacturing operations.
Small business set-aside programs are meant to give the little guys a fighting chance in the competitive world of government contracting. But for one Virginia company, bending the rules to snag those contracts came with a hefty price tag.
In a move that feels long overdue for millions of Americans, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has delivered a game-changing ruling. Medical debt is officially out of credit reports. Yes, those maddening medical bills you didn’t realize you owed—or thought were covered by insurance—can no longer tank your credit score.
In a historic move, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has hit three major oil companies—XCL Resources Holdings, LLC (XCL), Verdun Oil Company II LLC (Verdun), and EP Energy LLC (EP)—with a $5.6 million fine. The fine settles allegations that the companies violated antitrust laws through illegal coordination before a merger, a practice known as “gun jumping.” This marks the largest penalty ever imposed for such a violation in U.S. history.
Let’s face it—data privacy isn’t the most glamorous New Year’s resolution. It’s not going to help you fit into that old pair of jeans or finally get through “War and Peace.” But as the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) reminds us, tightening up your data security is the kind of life upgrade that could save you from stress, financial loss, and a few sleepless nights.