Community banks and credit unions are spending their tech budgets on fintech solutions that improve their operational efficiency.

The Sharia-compliant digital bank wants to build trust with customers face-to-face.

It fined NY-based Popular Bank for knowingly issuing six fraudulent loans as part of the program.

Could iffy payouts cause creators to leave TikTok? The platform’s much-hyped revenue-sharing program is giving shockingly low payouts, but strong viewer growth makes a migration unlikely.

US ad spending fell 12.1% in December 2022, the sixth consecutive month in which total spending has declined, according to revised data from Standard Media Index’s US Ad Market Tracker. To no one’s surprise, inflation continues to take its toll. But things may not be as bad as we thought.

Does a set of standards devalue retail media networks’ walled gardens? Unilever is trying to convince the industry that it doesn’t, and is urging competitors to come together.

On today's episode, we discuss the significance of the recent deal between Microsoft and OpenAI, whether TV is changing streaming back into TV, if the esports bubble has officially burst, whether Apple Maps' upgrades can start chipping away at Google's search dominance, some interesting facts about monarchies around the world, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our director of reports editing Rahul Chadha, director of forecasting Oscar Orozco, and analyst Max Willens.

Freight-booking platform Freightos pushes past headwinds to go public: The company’s timing is less than ideal given that the shipping industry is contending with a sharp slowdown in demand.

Sam’s Club aims to open 30 new stores: The membership club looks to build on its pandemic-era gains by expanding into fast-growing suburban areas.

Consumers expect to spend nearly 10% more on Valentine’s Day this year: And nearly one-third plan to give the gift of an experience, the highest share ever.

Facebook and YouTube will still be the top US social media platforms for buying ads or monetizing content this year, though their dominance is eroding, according to October 2022 polling by Integral Ad Science.

Researchers dispel EV greenwashing: A study shows that EVs aren’t necessarily an environmental savior, with skyrocketing lithium demand on track to cause havoc. Car culture will likely require space mining.

B2B ad spending will total over $35 billion this year, up 9.3% from 2022, according to our forecast. As millennials and Gen Zers become the dominant players in the buying process this year, B2B marketing will shift to keep up with their digital inclinations. Expect B2B marketers to take a page out of consumer marketing and invest more in influencers.

Walmart is undergoing a “much broader shift,” said our analyst Sky Canaves on our “Behind the Numbers: Reimagining Retail” podcast. Where Walmart was once seen as primarily a retailer, it’s pivoting into tech and services. Walmart’s business remains rooted in grocery, but through its retail as a service and Walmart+ offerings, it’s expanding that flywheel.