Construction supply costs generally increase a small amount over time. Yet, sometimes market pressures result in erratic price swings. In 2020, market pressures created huge price swings for a key construction material—wood. Lumber futures started the year just above $400,…
For many years, credit card agreements forbade merchants from passing along the cost of accepting credit cards. With airline miles, cash back, and other incentives for consumers to use credit cards, merchants are experiencing ever increasing fees as more and…
Over the past few weeks, we have experienced an uptick in lien claim requests. Since the Great Recession wound down and the revisions to the lien law kicked in, it has been difficult to determine whether the changes to the…
On July 20, 2017, Governor Roy Cooper signed the bill enacting the North Carolina Uniform Power of Attorney Act (the “Act”). The Act repeals much of the older existing law dealing with powers of attorney (POA), and seeks to clarify…
For the past 5 years or so, the economic recovery resulted in fewer business bankruptcies. For many creditors, this lull provided a needed opportunity not to consider what happens when a customer files a bankruptcy petition. While the numbers remain…
Over the past few years, the economy has hummed along and picked up speed. As the economy recovered credit standards relaxed a bit. Also, credit departments hired new staff who do not remember the Great Recession in terms of how…