PSB Insights

HarrisX Hires Industry Experts in Washington DC, Positions Itself for 2024 Election Year Growth

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 8, 2024

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HarrisX, a leading global research consultancy that conducts market research, public policy polling, and social impact studies in more than 40 countries around the world, today announced the expansion of its Washington D.C. office, positioning itself for further growth during the 2024 election.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HarrisX , a leading global research consultancy that conducts market research, public policy polling, and social impact studies in more than 40 countries around the world, today announced the expansion of its Washington D.C. office, positioning itself for further growth during the 2024 election.
  • Dom Bartkus joins HarrisX as a Senior Vice President and Managing Director leading the Washington, DC market.
  • Bartkus most recently served as a Senior Vice President of Issues, Crisis and Public Affairs Communications at Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW).
  • "HarrisX is a leading research company that advises some of the most iconic global brands and well-respected organizations," said Dom Bartkus.

Not so Merry and Bright: MassMutual Quarterly Survey finds Americans’ Confidence in their Financial Futures Low ahead of Festive Season

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 5, 2023

“It is crucial to recognize that challenging times require more thoughtful financial planning, and this is a good moment in the year to reflect on what’s ahead.

Key Points: 
  • “It is crucial to recognize that challenging times require more thoughtful financial planning, and this is a good moment in the year to reflect on what’s ahead.
  • A staggering 76% of respondents with student loan debt say the resumption of student loan payments has had a negative impact on their day-to-day financial health.
  • HOLIDAY CHEER: Intriguingly, Americans’ anxiety over their financial futures has not notably dampened their holiday cheer compared to last year.
  • Research was also conducted with an additional sample of 500 adult Massachusetts residents from October 19 to November 7, 2023.

MassMutual Consumer Spending & Saving Index: In Pursuit of Happiness, Younger Generations Prioritize Money over Marriage

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Most younger Americans believe financial stability is a stronger determinant of personal happiness than the person they marry, according to the latest Consumer Spending & Saving Index from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company ( MassMutual ).

Key Points: 
  • Most younger Americans believe financial stability is a stronger determinant of personal happiness than the person they marry, according to the latest Consumer Spending & Saving Index from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company ( MassMutual ).
  • 74% with student loan debt are planning to cut back on their spending when student loan payments resume.
  • For Millennials, costumes (66%) and attending and/ or hosting in-person celebrations (61%) contribute the most to their anticipated increase in spending.
  • Research was also conducted with an additional sample of 500 adult Massachusetts residents from August 5-28, 2023.

Leading Shariah Scholars Rule Cultivated Meat Can Be Halal

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 11, 2023

GOOD Meat , the cultivated meat division of food technology company Eat Just, Inc., announced today that a group of leading Islamic scholars has advised the firm that real meat made from cells, without raising and slaughtering animals, can be halal if production meets certain criteria.

Key Points: 
  • GOOD Meat , the cultivated meat division of food technology company Eat Just, Inc., announced today that a group of leading Islamic scholars has advised the firm that real meat made from cells, without raising and slaughtering animals, can be halal if production meets certain criteria.
  • Answering this theological question is a meaningful step forward for international acceptance of cultivated meat since halal consumers represent about 25% of the world's population.
  • The global halal meat market was a US$202 billion business in 2021 and is estimated to reach US$375.05 billion by 2030, according to some estimates .
  • The Shariah scholars reviewed documentation prepared by GOOD Meat and attorneys at AlDhabaan & Partners in association with Eversheds Sutherland that described how cultivated chicken, the company’s first product, is made.

MassMutual Consumer Spending & Saving Index: Summer Fun Shaded by Financial Anxiety for Younger Generations

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 12, 2023

“Even though younger generations have more years to recover from financial stressors, they are anxious about inflationary pressures and interest rate hikes,” explains Paul LaPiana , head of MassMutual brand, product and affiliated distribution.

Key Points: 
  • “Even though younger generations have more years to recover from financial stressors, they are anxious about inflationary pressures and interest rate hikes,” explains Paul LaPiana , head of MassMutual brand, product and affiliated distribution.
  • Additional findings demonstrate:
    The impacts of inflation (88%) and a potential recession (81%) remain the most pressing fears for Americans with younger generations feeling the most acute anxiety.
  • Although younger generations are more likely to prioritize financial security over a secure relationship, few have retirement accounts set up.
  • “The latest findings from our Consumer Spending & Saving Index reinforce what MassMutual gleans from its policyowners: the financial challenges and opportunities faced by Americans today are complex and unrelenting,” says LaPiana.

MassMutual Consumer Spending & Saving Index: Is Optimism Replacing Fear as Americans Navigate Today’s Economy?

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 7, 2023

More than half of Americans are still delaying purchases due to inflation; however, this is less than last quarter (55% vs. 59%).

Key Points: 
  • More than half of Americans are still delaying purchases due to inflation; however, this is less than last quarter (55% vs. 59%).
  • Consumers who have already taken steps to save and invest wisely may be best positioned.”
    Other key findings of the MassMutual Consumer Spending & Saving Index include:
    Americans are more optimistic about the U.S. economy.
  • This sentiment is driven by Gen X and Baby Boomers, who are considerably more optimistic than they were last quarter.
  • The MassMutual Consumer Spending & Saving Index tracks financial outlooks and behaviors in a changing economic environment.

Serent Capital Announces Acquisition of Apex HCM by IRIS Software Group

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Apex HCM (Apex), a leading cloud-based HCM software provider for payroll service bureaus (PSBs) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firms, announced today that it has been acquired by IRIS Software Group (IRIS), a leading global software provider of accountancy and payroll solutions.

Key Points: 
  • Apex HCM (Apex), a leading cloud-based HCM software provider for payroll service bureaus (PSBs) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firms, announced today that it has been acquired by IRIS Software Group (IRIS), a leading global software provider of accountancy and payroll solutions.
  • Its all-in-one enterprise HCM suite enables PSBs and CPAs to serve their SMB clients with recruitment, onboarding, benefits administration, HR and time and attendance software from a cloud-native platform.
  • We look forward to Apex’s continuing customer-centric growth and success.”
    Elona Mortimer-Zhika, CEO of IRIS says, “We are delighted to welcome Apex to the IRIS family.
  • This acquisition continues our successful journey providing leading software to PSBs and CPA firms – a market which IRIS has been serving for decades in the UK and we are rapidly expanding in the Americas region.”
    The acquisition of Apex is a significant milestone in IRIS’ international growth.

IRIS Software Group Expands US Business with Apex HCM Acquisition

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 28, 2023

IRIS Software Group (IRIS), a leading global software provider of accountancy and payroll solutions, today announced it has acquired Apex HCM (Apex), a leading cloud-based HCM enterprise software provider for payroll service bureaus (PSBs) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firms.

Key Points: 
  • IRIS Software Group (IRIS), a leading global software provider of accountancy and payroll solutions, today announced it has acquired Apex HCM (Apex), a leading cloud-based HCM enterprise software provider for payroll service bureaus (PSBs) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firms.
  • Its all-in-one HCM suite enables PSBs and CPAs to serve their SME clients with recruitment, onboarding, benefits administration and time and attendance software from a cloud-native platform.
  • Elona Mortimer-Zhika, CEO of IRIS says, “We are delighted to welcome Apex to the IRIS family.
  • This acquisition continues our successful journey providing leading software to PSBs and CPA firms – a market which IRIS has been serving for decades in the UK and we are rapidly expanding in the Americas region.”
    The acquisition of Apex is a significant milestone in IRIS’ international growth.

COQUAL'S NEW STUDY EXAMINES THE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE OF THE AAPI COMMUNITY AND FINDS RACIAL PREJUDICE, STEREOTYPES, MICROAGGRESSIONS, CAREER STALL, AND INEQUITABLE TREATMENT

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 19, 2023

NEW YORK, Jan. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The increase in anti-Asian violence since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander (A/AA/PI) professionals in and outside of the workplace. Coqual, a leading global think tank, published a new report today, Strangers at Home: The Asian and Asian American Professional Experience, which documents the daily indignities of racism and microaggressions, addresses a broken career pipeline, and acknowledges the diversity within this large cohort and why it is important to disaggregate data about them. Coqual's study features The Erasure and Invisibility of Pacific Islander Professionals, a white paper within the report that spotlights the Pacific Islander professional experience, treating them separately, not as a monolithic group.   

Key Points: 
  • Given the ongoing violence against the A/AA/PI community, Coqual finds a large portion of respondents across racial backgrounds strongly believe their companies should take a stand.
  • But only about one in four (26%) Asian and Asian American professionals feel that their company is very vocal on the issue of violence against the community.
  • To show the vast differences within this large, diverse community, Coqual featured a variety of intersectional identities.
  • Coqual finds more than one in three (36%) of Asian and Asian American professionals say they have experienced racial prejudice at their current or former companies.

High Mortgage Rates Remain Primary Impediment to Housing Sentiment

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 7, 2022

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI) increased 0.6 points in November to 57.3, its first increase in nine months, though it remains just above the all-time low set last month and significantly lower than its level at this time last year. Four of the index's six components increased modestly month over month, including those associated with homebuying and home-selling conditions; however, both remain well below year-ago levels, having declined on net 28 and 38 points, respectively. Elevated mortgage rates continue to constrain affordability, and 62 percent of respondents expect mortgage rates to rise even further over the next year, compared to only 10 percent who expect rates to decline. Year over year, the full index is down 17.4 points.

Key Points: 
  • Elevated mortgage rates continue to constrain affordability, and 62 percent of respondents expect mortgage rates to rise even further over the next year, compared to only 10 percent who expect rates to decline.
  • We expect mortgage demand to continue to be curtailed by affordability constraints, while homeowners with significantly lower-than-current mortgage rates may be discouraged from listing their property and potentially taking on a new, much higher mortgage rate."
  • Mortgage Rate Expectations: The percentage of respondents who say mortgage rates will go down in the next 12 months increased from 6% to 10%, while the percentage who expect mortgage rates to go up decreased from 65% to 62%.
  • The Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) distills information about consumers' home purchase sentiment from Fannie Mae's National Housing Survey (NHS) into a single number.