According to the New York Times, about 45 million Americans lack traditional credit files. Now the federal government is investigating whether alternative credit scoring models could bring more of these consumers into the financial mainstream. Questions: 1. Which agency of the government is interested in the phenomenon of using alternative credit data? 2. Who created… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Advanced Accounting
Helping with the Rent?
Almost half of people in their early 20s have a secret, one they don’t usually share even with friends: Their parents help them pay the rent. Questions: 1. What is the average amount that about 40% of 22, 23, and 24 year-olds receive from their parents, to help with the rent? 2. How do career… Read more »
Election Day A Holiday?
According to this article, lawmakers in California have introduced a bill into the State Assembly aimed at increasing voter turnout by making Election Day a paid holiday. Questions: 1. What would be the costs of this bill? Also provide any accounting journal entries that might be required. 2. What would be the benefits of this… Read more »
Denied Healthcare Coverage? Maybe you should check with your FitBit?
Healthcare companies have increasingly offered cash promotions and discounts to users who provide their Fitbit data. But could this be used by insurers rather than to improve customer health? Questions: 1. In what types of negative ways could this data be used, according to the article? 2. What issues in Congress could promote the negative… Read more »
Who is watching the watchers?
According to the FTC, Vizio used 11 million televisions to spy on its customers. The television maker agreed to pay $2.2 million to settle a case with the FTC and the New Jersey attorney general’s office after the agencies accused it of secretly collecting — and selling — data about its customers’ locations, demographics and… Read more »
If you don’t play, you can’t win!
It seems as if young Americans are showing less interest in buying lotto tickets than their parents. As a result, lottery officials worry about the odds for future growth. Questions: 1. What is the current trend seen in lottery buying? Include percentages and demographic information quoted in the article. 2. What are the key reasons… Read more »
Trusts for Pets
A large number of pets are abandoned at shelters when their senior owners die or go to a nursing home. This article discusses a new legal consideration. Questions: 1. How many Americans over 55 have wills? 2. Why is there negative association with putting pets in the will? 3. How much does it cost to… Read more »
Hatchanimals? What’s the damage?
Hatchimals was dubbed the hottest toy of 2016. So, what are they and why are they in the news? Questions: 1. What does the class action lawsuit allege? 2. Where was the lawsuit filed? 3. What do you think your damages would be for this type of suit? Please speculate and discuss. Source: Shen, L…. Read more »
Super Bowl Ads! Worth it?
The questions asked each year are whether Super Bowl advertising is worth it and what the network is charging. This year Fox charged $5 million for a 30-second spot, last year CBS charged about the same, and Comcast NBC charged about $4.5 million for a 30-second spot. Questions: 1. How much is the per second… Read more »
The Dizzying Student Loan Game
The Feds claim that the nation’s largest student loan servicer gave rushed and costly advice. Questions: 1. What is the amount or size of the U.S. government’s student loan program in dollars? 2. What is Navient? 3. How would you describe the structure of Student loan servicing? 4. What are some of the claims about… Read more »