San Francisco's New Resource Bank calls itself the country's first commercial bank aimed at "green business." Its backers include people who made money off the tech boom a decade ago. Sarah Gardner reports.
Despite the usual concerns about consumer spending voiced before the holidays, the Commerce Department reported today that retail sales rose in December — to the highest level in five months. Alisa Roth has more.
Last year Congress didn't pass spending bills for most of the government, so most of the bureaucracy is working from last year's budgets and people are feeling the pinch. John Dimsdale reports.
Cities in Texas, New Jersey, Missouri and Pennsylvania have passed laws that bar illegal immigrants from renting apartments. So, illegal immigrants are taking ownership of the problem. Joy Diaz reports.
Higher demand for corn-based ethanol is raising the price of corn. In Mexico, that means one of the country's staples, the tortilla, is getting more expensive. Jeff Tyler reports.
Bad financial decisions don't just happen to inexperienced investors. A new study says financially literate folks can suffer the same fate. Marketplace's Steve Tripoli reports.
This week, we begin a special series on investment clubs in America. Marketplace's Tess Vigeland takes us on a tour of clubs in California, Washington, and Virginia. Meet folks who eat, drink and merrily beat the pants off the S&P 500.
Our economics editor Chris Farrell answers your burning money questions. This week, advice on: choosing a reverse mortgage, investing in an annuity, and lowering retirement contributions.
Hybrid models can cost a little more, but according to a new survey, the returns might be worth the initial cost. Kai interviews James Bell of Intellichoice.
Companies want to make it easier for sick workers to visit the doctor's office. Get ready for the office clinic next door to your cubicle. Marketplace's Sam Eaton reports.
It's time once again for economics editor Chris Farrell to help you sort out what's smart, what's stupid and what's the Straight Story. This week, Chris offers his diagnosis on one possible health care solution.
Life is hard enough without having to decipher everything. Each week, Marketplace Money brings you a word or a phrase that has bubbled to the top of the news. For instance — "Botnet." You hear it, you see it, but do you really know it?
EMI today announced the departure of its two top executives along with a bleak earnings warning for the year that sent stocks tumbling. Thousands of other jobs could follow, Stephen Beard reports.
Rapid urbanization is taking a heavy toll on the environment and human living conditions around the world, but it could also make the problems easier to solve. Hillary Wicai explains.
The new Congress will revisit the Medicare drug plan — specifically the item in the original bill that keeps government from negotiating lower drug prices for seniors.
Golden Globe and Academy Awards hopefuls are pouring more cash into advertising their films down the homestretch. Does the strategy work? Daily Variety's Mike Speier says yes.
The annual Advocates for Media Reform meeting kicks off today in Memphis and one hot-button topic of discussion will be how to keep Net neutrality alive. Lisa Napoli reports.
Orville Redenbacher died over a decade ago, but ConAgra is introducing a new popcorn ad that features a digitized likeness of the bow-tied icon of Americana.
The House today approved using federal money for stem-cell research. But the bill didn't get the two-thirds majority needed to override a Bush veto. Reporter Janet Babin talks with Kai Ryssdal about what's next.
Commentator Benjamin Zycher says a bill to allow the government to negotiate prices for Medicare drugs is not just bad legislation, it could lead to an increase in human suffering.
British superstar David Beckham has agreed to a five-year, $250 million deal to play for Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy. At 31, he's on the downside of his career. So, what's the MSL getting? Tess Vigeland reports.
Militias cause much of Iraq's instability. What can be done to shut them down? Keith Crane, an advisor to the Iraq Study Group, has some ideas he shared with Kai Ryssdal.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates today called for 92,000 troops to be added to the military over the next five years. Hillary Wicai looks at what it might take to get recruits to sign on the bottom line.
Our Bob Moon was among the thousands roaming the massive 2007 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week. Bob searched out the more interesting gadgets and talked to the people showing them off.
Ah, Acapulco. White sandy beaches, cold Mexican beer . . . armed vehicles and the buzzing of military planes? Mexico is cracking down on drug traffickers in the resort. Dan Grech reports.
Congress considers legislation today that would make more embryonic stem cells available for federal funding. And this time proponents may have enough votes to override the President's veto, Janet Babin reports.
Business historian John Steele Gordon offers his thanks to Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, who richly deserves his place in history — and on the $10 bill.
Reports that an American cloned cow gave birth to a calf on a commercial farm in Britain — and without the government's knowledge — has led to a case of cloned food paranoia in the UK.
Governors of some states are tired of waiting for the federal government to come up with a health care solution, so they're putting forth their own proposals. Chris Farrell says they're perfectly reasonable.
The original Ritz-Carlton in Boston gets a new owner today and, yes, Mumbai-based Taj Hotels will change the iconic hotel's name. Curt Nickisch reports.
Executives at both XM and Sirius satellite radio said this week that they like the idea of a merger and stocks jumped on the news. But not everyone's buying it, Dan Grech reports.
British cell companies are rushing in to secure deals to provide service for Apple's new iPhone in the UK. But they might be overlooking one important detail, Stephen Beard reports.
The President is expected to propose a reconstruction package with more focus on employing Iraqis. John Dimsdale reports that there may not be enough in the budget.
The Bush administration has raised the cost for leases that allow oil and natural gas companies to drill in the Gulf of Mexico. But critics say loopholes in the leases could still cost the U.S. billions. Jeff Tyler reports.
Robert Reich says a Democratic plan to let the federal government negotiate with drug companies for lower Medicare prescription costs doesn't go far enough.
The debate on creating human/animal hybrid clones continues in Britain, with researchers insisting a ban will put the country behind in stem cell advances. Stephen Beard has more.
The San Diego Chargers have banned ticket sales outside of Southern California for Sunday's NFL playoff game. It's not against the rules, as Sean Cole reports from Boston.
The U.S. is taking a hardline stance with Europe on questions of open skies and carbon reduction agreements, and comments today by a U.S. transportation official added fuel to the fight.
While ethanol and biodiesel make headlines, biobutanol has quietly attracted investment from BP and DuPont. And it may prove the best alternative to gasoline yet, Sarah Gardner reports.
So far Delta has fended off hostile takeover attempts by US Airways, but this morning the offer went up 20 percent. Is that enough to sway Delta bondholders? Dan Grech reports.
Congress is expected to raise the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour over the next two years — but proponents may have to cut small businesses a break to make it happen. Hillary Wicai reports.
The London Stock Exchange has been rebuffing takeover advances by NASDAQ, but the playing field might be shifting. Corporate raider Samuel Heyman has increased his stake in the LSE above 10 percent.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rattled investors yesterday with his plan to nationalize the country's biggest phone company and utilities — but that didn't meter his tone as he was sworn in for his third term today.
Commentator Glenn Hubbard says a Democratic Congress and Republican White House can make really big changes in fiscal policy on issues like Social Security. If they'll just share ideas.
Murdoch newspaper group has banned its papers from using any intrusive photos of Prince William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton — a surprising move, Stephen Beard reports.
President Bush wants to send an additional 20,000 troops to Iraq, but Democrats in Congress hope to block the White House plan by tying up the purse strings. John Dimsdale reports.
The House is expected to pass an increase in the federal minimum wage tomorrow. But economist and commentator Susan Lee says an increase isn't the best way to help those who might need it most.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez plans to nationalize his country's biggest telecom and power companies. And it's no accident both are controlled by U.S. firms. Dan Grech reports.
Television actors in Canada are on strike. It's a remarkably tame affair and no one has wallked off the job. But Hollywood is keeping an eye on it. Steve McNally reports.
At the top of today's Democratic agenda: a bill to implement most of the 9/11 Commission recommendations, including screening all cargo that enters the U.S. by sea or air. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
Treasure hunters regularly dive among the sunken ships that dot Haiti's waters. It's one thing to bring a haul up from the depths, and quite another to weather corruption and political instability. Reed Lindsay reports.
Apple Computer has changed its name to just . . . Apple. CEO Steve Jobs made the announcement while unveiling the new iPhone today. Lisa Napoli was observing and talks with Kai Ryssdal about what's new — and exciting.
The singer Morrissey — not exactly Mr. Happy — is in talks with the BBC to write Britain's entry in a European song contest. The Marketplace Players have an exclusive version of what we might expect.
Author Barry Glassner says for many Americans it's not "You are what you eat," it's "You eat what you think you are." He talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book, "The Gospel of Food."
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he'll nationalize his country's largest phone company and utilities — a move that'll probably affect foreign investors. Louis Hamann reports.
The federal minimum wage hasn't been touched in a decade, but it looks like it'll finally be bumped up to $7.25 an hour. Commentator and economist Len Burman says we oughta be doing this more often.
The escalating dispute between Russia and Belarus over oil and gas prices has spilled over into Europe — but oil prices remain curiously unaffected. Stephen Beard explains.
Private equity could soon get the chance to try on Gap apparel. The retail heavyweight has reportedly hired Goldman Sachs to explore its sale. Dan Grech has the story.
It seems you can't sit down to breakfast without hearing about another nutrition study. A lot of the research is funded by the food and beverage industry — and that's a cause of indigestion for some. Allan Coukell explains.
Nicaragua swears in new president Daniel Ortega tomorrow. He ruled that nation once before back in the '80s, allied with the Soviet Union. Nowadays, he's close to another U.S. foe. Dan Grech reports.
Once upon a time, the big movie studios battled to outlaw the VCR. But today the entertainment industry has a new way of looking at things, Bob Moon reports.
Macworld gets underway today and industry watchers expect to see more about iTV, a device that lets you watch downloaded movies on your TV — and that's put DVD retailers on the offensive. Janet Babin reports.
The House will vote on a bill today that would allow airport baggage screeners to bargain over working conditions as union members. Nancy Marshall Genzer has details.
For the past century, Budweiser has been in a bitter court battle with a Czech company that makes a lager called Budweiser in Europe. Finally, a compromise.
Alcoa announces its earnings tomorrow amid a steep sell-off in commodities. Some are wondering whether the drop in prices for materials such as copper, aluminum and oil signals an economic slowdown. Sarah Gardner reports.
Nokia, the Finnish cell phone company, and Siemens, the German engineering giant, are talking about merging their network equipment operations. So why is the U.S. government concerned? John Dimsdale reports.
Top college coaches bring home more than a million dollars a year. The players don't see a dime before they graduate. Commentator Dwayne Ballen says there's a way to remedy the uneven economic playing field.
If you've got Mexican pesos in your pocket and a hankering for a pepperoni pizza, then Pizza Patron's the place for you. Antonio Swad, the Dallas-based company's president, talks with Kai Ryssdal about the new offer.
The Big Three U.S. carmakers have a lot riding on the Detroit car show that opens later this week. Kai Ryssdal talks with Los Angeles Times auto critic Dan Neil about what he expects to see there.
What's shiny and pink and small enough to fit in a handbag? The latest model from Taser — the stun gun company. It's one of the hot new products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Amy Scott reports.
Five years ago, Argentinians took to the streets in protest of the nation's huge financial crisis. Rachel Hopkin brings us the story of two Buenos Aires teachers and how they're coping today.
The Northeast's unseasonably warm winter hasn't created many problems yet, but fruit growers there are hoping to see some traditional January weather very soon. Steve Tripoli reports.
Host Scott Jagow asks Newsweek's Allan Sloan how ousted Home Depot CEO Bob Nardelli ended up with such a generous severance package when the company's been doing so badly.
Faced with flat growth in their traditional mostly-white market, skiing and snowboarding resorts are working to attract consumers of color. Jeff Tyler reports.
McDonald's in the UK has agreed to buy its coffee only from certified ethically-sourced growers. It's the first fast-food chain to do so, Stephen Beard reports.
Bill Gates opened the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas with a keynote address that highlighted the latest industry buzzword: connected experience. Bob Moon reports.
Belarus has halted Russian oil running through a pipeline within its borders. It's the latest move in a trade dispute between the two countries — but Poland, Germany and Ukraine are paying the price. Stefan Bos reports.
As we upgrade our TVs, computers and cell phones, attics and garbage dumps are filling up with outdated electronics. Amy Scott reports on a more environmentally-friendly option.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to guarantee health insurance for every child in the state — whether they're here legally or not. Sarah Gardner reports.
