Personal Finance

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – January 1, 2026 – First Financial Bancorp. says it will close its previously announced all-stock acquisition of Chicago-based BankFinancial Corporation, expanding into the Chicago market with its first retail consumer-focused locations there.

What’s Happening and Why Chicago Is the Center of This Deal

First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) announced that the acquisition is scheduled to close on January 1, 2026. The company says the transaction expands its presence in the Chicago market by adding consumer-facing retail locations, marking a new step for a bank that has been steadily growing its Midwest footprint.

The announcement frames the deal as both a scale move and a market move. With BankFinancial, First Financial says it gains a strong core deposit franchise and an on-the-ground presence in the Chicago area through BankFinancial’s network of financial centers.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 5, 2025 – For anyone thinking about their next car, how you pay for it can be just as important as what you drive. Stellantis, the global automaker behind brands like Jeep®, Peugeot and FIAT, is sharpening its focus on finance, leasing and flexible mobility options by bringing back seasoned executive Jon Nelson in a new top role overseeing its financial services and leasing companies worldwide.

A new role designed around how we buy and use cars today

Starting in January 2026, Jon Nelson will step into the newly created position of Head of Stellantis Financial Services and Leasing companies, reporting directly to Chief Financial Officer Joao Laranjo. From Stellantis’ base in Amsterdam, he’ll lead the strategy behind the loans, leases and other financial tools that help people get behind the wheel of their next vehicle.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 12, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 12, 2025 – ERGO Group AG has once again proven its dedication to employee satisfaction and excellence in workplace culture, earning the prestigious ‘Top Employer Germany’ award for the third consecutive year. This impressive recognition from the internationally renowned Top Employers Institute cements ERGO’s status as one of Germany’s most desirable places to work.

A Hat-Trick of Excellence in Workplace Culture

Winning the award three years in a row is no small feat. In Germany, such a streak is proudly called a "hattrick"—and it’s exactly what ERGO has achieved. This consistent recognition reflects the insurer’s strong, people-first approach to human resources and company culture.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 3, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 3, 2025 – In a world of economic ups and downs, consumers and investors alike are looking for stability—and Procter & Gamble continues to deliver. The global consumer goods giant reported its fiscal year 2025 third-quarter results this week, showcasing modest yet meaningful gains in key areas, all while keeping its commitment to shareholders intact.

A Resilient Quarter in a Challenging World

Despite a 2% decline in net sales, P&G's organic sales ticked up 1%, buoyed by pricing strategies that offset flat volume growth. Earnings per share (EPS) and core EPS both rose by 1% to $1.54, a sign of steady financial stewardship in uncertain economic conditions.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 2, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 2, 2025 – With an industry-wide push toward digital transformation, insureNXT 2025 returns to Cologne on May 14–15 with a sharpened focus on scaling insurance innovations for long-term impact. Positioned as a global thought leadership platform, the international congress and trade fair aims to equip insurers with the strategies, tools, and partnerships needed to transform promising pilots into scalable, market-ready solutions.

Driving Scalable Transformation in Insurance

Under the central theme “Scaling Innovation Through Insurance,” insureNXT 2025 offers a future-focused agenda tailored to insurers navigating evolving customer expectations, rapid technological change, and increasingly complex regulatory frameworks. The event connects executives, tech leaders, startups, and innovators to explore how to drive sustainable growth through innovation.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 2, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 2, 2025 – As digital transformation and customer expectations reshape the insurance sector, insureNXT 2025 is spotlighting marketing and sales as central forces driving sustainable growth. The international congress and expo, taking place May 14–15 in Cologne, Germany, will bring together leading insurers, startups, tech providers, and industry innovators to explore how strategic customer-centricity, data-driven business models, and digital sales platforms are redefining value creation across the insurance landscape.

Driving Strategic Growth Through Customer-Centric Innovation

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 2, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 2, 2025 – Artificial Intelligence (AI) will take the spotlight at insureNXT 2025, the leading international conference and expo for innovation in the insurance sector, set to take place on May 14–15 in Cologne, Germany. The event is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering insurers, startups, and technology providers a strategic platform to explore AI-driven solutions that are reshaping operational efficiency, customer engagement, and cross-industry collaboration.

Structured Customer Journey Highlights AI’s Real-World Impact

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 15, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 15, 2025 - Sustainable investing gains momentum among German consumers
A recent survey by BarmeniaGothaer Asset Management, conducted in partnership with the renowned research institute forsa, reveals a compelling shift in how German consumers approach financial investments. According to the study, 50% of Germans now consider sustainability an important factor when making investment decisions—with a notable portion even willing to trade returns for environmentally and socially responsible options.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 15, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 15, 2025 - In a landmark year shaped by a significant merger and economic challenges, BarmeniaGothaer has established itself as one of Germany’s top ten insurers by delivering above-market growth across all business segments in 2024.

A Year of Transformation and Performance
2024 marked a pivotal moment for the newly formed BarmeniaGothaer group. “The past year was eventful in many respects. At the forefront for us, of course, was the merger into BarmeniaGothaer. At the same time, it was important for us to remain present at the side of our customers,” said Co-CEO Oliver Schoeller.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 8, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 8, 2025 - A strategic leadership transition at the forefront of corporate real estate

Lina Scherer, Vice President of Corporate Real Estate Management Europe at Schaeffler, has officially assumed the role of President of CoreNet Global (CNG) Central Europe as of April 1, 2025. She takes over from Locke McKenzie, who held the position since April 2023 and will continue to serve on the board as Past President.

With her extensive background in Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM), Scherer brings a wealth of expertise and vision to the organization. She joined Schaeffler in July 2023, following a successful career at ABB Group, where she held strategic and operational leadership roles across asset management, portfolio management, and integrated facilities management.

A forward-looking vision for a connected real estate community