The Fed raised interest rates 25 basis points this week, factoring in mixed economic signals but persistent inflation. The lending facilities they put in place to ease the banking situation are getting lots of use. And we can’t ignore March Madness as we move from 16 to 4. What are the odds of having a perfect bracket? (Axios) All this and lots more in this week’s reading list!

Economics

• Read more about the Fed decision to raise interest rates. (CNBC)
• Here is a good explanation of the lending facilities now open to banks, and how much is actually being borrowed. (NYT)
  • For a briefer summary of this information, try (Axios)
• February retail sales weakened. (Forbes)
• Jobs market still looks tight as weekly unemployment claims dip. (Reuters)
• Amazon grew its employee base considerably during the pandemic. It is now cutting back, announcing a further 9,000 cut to staff following a recent 18,000 culling. (The Verge)

Investing

• Meme stocks having their day—again. (Forbes)
• Block is the latest target by short-seller Hindenburg Research, but CEO Jack Dorsey is fighting back. (CNN) (Yahoo Finance)
• The markets were all over the place this week. What signals was it sending? (NYT)
• Ben Carlson (A Wealth of Common Sense) gives us some perspective on the market volatility.

Banking

• SVB follow-up: a closer look at supervision of SVB and what is known about what the Fed knew and what it could do about it. (New Yorker)
• If you are interested in the details of the Credit Suisse/UBS deal, the players involved and the winners and losers in the deal, try this Financial Times article.
• What is the status of the banking sector after a rough couple of weeks? (Slate) 
• A survey suggests most Americans still trust banks. (Money)

Crypto

• Trouble is brewing again in Crypto world:
  • Coinbase received a warning from the SEC that it might be charged with securities violations. (CNBC)
  • Several celebrities have been charged with securities violations regarding crypto. (CNBC2)

Taxes

• NPR prepared this “Life Kit” on preparing taxes this year.

Budgeting

• So you think living on $100,000 shouldn’t be too hard? In NY it feels more like $36,000. This article helps drive home the importance of the relative cost of living. (Bloomberg)

Tech World

• Are TikTok’s days numbered in the US? Read up on the Congressional Hearing. (Axios)
• Chatbot.AI received a $1 billion valuation in its most recent funding round of $150 million with zero revenue. (Reuters)

About the Author

Beth Tallman

Beth Tallman entered the working world armed with an MBA in finance and thoroughly enjoyed her first career working in manufacturing and telecommunications, including a stint overseas. She took advantage of an involuntary separation to try teaching high school math, something she had always dreamed of doing. When fate stepped in once again, Beth jumped on the opportunity to combine her passion for numbers, money, and education to develop curriculum and teach personal finance at Oberlin College. Beth now spends her time writing on personal finance and financial education, conducts student workshops, and develops finance curricula and educational content. She is also the Treasurer of Ohio Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.