A Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report expresses concern over the sharp rise in mortgage payments and associated costs. "The CFPB will be devoting more attention to ensure that borrowers can sufficiently navigate alternatives to foreclosure when faced with financial distress," and it is "currently exploring some amendments to mortgage servicing standards" and seeking "ways that the refinancing process can be simpler for borrowers," Director Rohit Chopra said.

The starting point of effective brand awareness is capturing a business' mission and values through brand identity, writes Lee Shields of Setmore, who shares eight suggestions for engaging customers. "[F]orging enduring customer connections via branding is a complex mission demanding a deep understanding of your audience, genuine communication, and an unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional experiences," writes Shields.

Many American customer service employees still respond with "you're welcome" after a customer thanks them, but responses such as "no problem" and "mmhmm" have had a moment in the social media spotlight as international customers posted mixed reactions. Some millennials say they don't use "you're welcome" because they believe it has taken on a passive-aggressive tone, attributing the change to their parents using it to antagonize them.

AI will power marketing personalization, content creation and community management in the future, writes Joel Alexander, @Kendal CEO. Other future social marketing trends include the use of augmented and virtual reality, such as in virtual product placements, and the use of smart home devices and voice search as marketing avenues, writes Alexander, who also dives into today's best social media strategies.

Germantown, N.Y., is attracting buyers from New York City due to its affordability and quiet lifestyle.

Mass timber construction in New York City is getting a helping hand from a program initiated by a nonprofit. New York City Mass Timber Studio is offering $25,000 grants for design teams while boosting awareness of mass timber, making connections for builders and highlighting development opportunities.

Marketers using generative AI ChatGPT prompts can make campaigns more memorable and compelling by using the technology to identify and address "primary fears, pains or concerns" among a target audience, writes Coachvox.ai founder Jodie Cook. Use ChatGPT to rework copy to spark more attention, request opposite campaign ideas that could work even better and "see how controversial you can make your campaign, then dial it back as you see fit," are among other tips Cook offers.

Nikole Reed, regional vice president of INFINITI West, a division of auto company Nissan, said she has learned that leadership is a journey that requires one to delegate, hire the right people around them and involve them in the decision-making process. "I like to get buy-in from my team because that aligns everyone, and sometimes they have great ideas. I don't have the best ideas about everything," Reed says.

It remains more affordable to rent than to buy a home in most many top metro areas, according to data released by Realtor.com.

Fitch Ratings says about $270 billion in leveraged loans could be at risk of default, which could occur by year-end for much of the $61 billion in highest-concern loans. An economic downturn sparked by the Federal Reserve's tightening could cause a surge of defaults and reverse the gains that leveraged loans have seen, says James St. Aubin of Sierra Mutual Funds, adding, "The asset I'm worried about most is bank loans."