PNB waives remittance charges
THE Philippines’ fifth largest lender, Philippine National Bank (PSE: PNB), is waiving the remittance fees for various channels through May 8, 2020. The waiver applies to money transfers that will…
Category: Business
Covering the week’s most noteworthy business news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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McDonald’s celebrates health care workers and first responders with free ‘thank you meals’
Frontline heroes can enjoy free meals at participating U.S. McDonald’s restaurants IN appreciation for the healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters and paramedics who are committed to our health and safety,…
Mortgage payment during COVID-19
THE federal CARES Act provides two benefits if you have a financial hardship caused directly or indirectly by the coronavirus and your loan is owned or guaranteed by a federal…
Guide to federal extension filings
THIS article is lovingly dedicated to our fellow taxpayers who like to wait and wait and wait until the very last minute, then get excited on the very last day…
Delaying mortgage payments? What you need to know
FIVE of the country’s largest banks announced recently that they have agreed to temporarily suspend mortgage payments for homeowners affected by the virus. California has indeed suffered an unexpected economic…
The hate virus: Protecting Asian Americans from discrimination due to COVID-19
AS of this writing, the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has infected over two million people globally, and more than 145,000 have died. The outbreak has understandably created worldwide anxiety since the first…
Should you use your retirement account for mortgage and expenses?
UNEMPLOYMENT claims nationwide have significantly spiked due to the lockdown which has resulted in the shutdown of the U.S. economy. Millions of people have lost their jobs because small businesses…
Newsom details plan to lift statewide COVID-19 restrictions
California to work in conjunction with other states to reopen the West Coast CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin Newsom this week unveiled a framework for reopening the state’s economy and society. Though…
Jollibee brings joy home with the launch of nationwide delivery via DoorDash
As the world navigates through a turbulent time, popular fast-food chain Jollibee wants to bring some joy to customers who are staying safe at home. With the brand’s dining rooms…
Filipino supermarket chain Island Pacific launches ‘stay home, stay safe’ campaign
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Island Pacific has made the health and safety of its customers, employees, and community its top priority. Island Pacific Supermarket has launched its “Stay Home, Stay…
LA County launches new small business recovery loan program
In response to small businesses affected by COVID-19, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has created the Small Business Recovery Loan Program, administered by the Los Angeles County Development…
Hospitality, entrepreneurial spirit and pan de sal: How small Fil-Am businesses are nourishing front-liners of the coronavirus pandemic
This current moment has been described as many things: a chance for self-reflection, a practice of selflessness, a collective meditative mental health reset. And, it is most certainly all those…
About the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Part 2 of 2)
PRESIDENT Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on March 18 to provide paid leave for workers and tax credits for small and midsize businesses to recover the cost…
LA County’s stay-at-home order, business closures extended until May 15
Virus cases reach over 8K, with 500 Asians testing positive LOS ANGELES County officials on Friday, April 10 announced that the stay-at-home order will be extended until at least May…
LA increases measures on workplace protection for non-medical essential businesses
Garcetti expresses support for AAPI community, condemns uptick in COVID-19-related discrimination The City of Los Angeles has increased worker protections and requirements for “non-medical essential” employees across the city, Mayor…
Can’t pay your mortgage during the COVID-19 crisis?
THE dangerous coronavirus has brought the economy to a screeching halt. With no work and no paychecks, millions of homeowners are now wondering how they’re going to be able to…
Protecting the ‘employee’ status of gig workers during COVID-19
INSTACART is one of the largest grocery delivery services in the United States. Instacart allows its customers to shop their local grocery using a mobile app or the website. The…
How new bankruptcy telephonic hearings work
BOTH Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustees are now implementing the new procedure required by the U.S. Trustee for social distancing to avoid spreading the virus. The lockdown and social…
15 Filipino tycoons among the world’s billionaires
FIFTEEN Filipino tycoons landed on Forbes’ 31st annual ranking of the world’s billionaires, with former Senator and real estate tycoon Manuel Villar leading the pack. Forbes said this year’s roster…
Real estate during COVID-19
WE are back to work. The Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) updated its list of essential services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and expressly included…
5 Filipinos land on Forbes Asia’s ‘30 Under 30’ list
FIVE Filipinos made it onto Forbes’s “30 Under 30 Asia” list for “challenging conventional wisdom and rewriting the rules for the next generation.” The 2020 roster, released on Thursday, April 2,…
About the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Part 1 of 2)
PRESIDENT Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on March 18 to bring much needed relief to employees and small to midsize businesses. Small and midsize employers can begin…
Recovering insurance payments for coronavirus losses
THESE are challenging times for California small businesses. Restaurants, retail stores, and other services sustained (and continue to sustain) coronavirus-related losses. Their damages resulted from severe business interruption, event cancellation,…
Filing bankruptcy when you can’t pay your bills
A LOT of people in debt often already know what they need to do once they realize that bankruptcy is their only way out. But they usually delay the decision…
Bankruptcy trustees move toward telephonic appearances by debtors
THE U.S. Trustee has recently instructed bankruptcy trustees to conduct debtor hearings telephonically to comply with social distancing guidelines to fight the coronavirus. The Chapter 13 trustee in Riverside, California…
Five takeaways from $2.2 trillion relief plan
Trump signs off on sweeping spending bill to provide taxpayers with financial relief, businesses with a special lending program On the same day that the House approved the plan, President…
California Gov. Newsom announces 90-day mortgage payment relief
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday, March 26 announced that financial institutions will provide major financial relief for millions of Californians suffering financially as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak….
Tax deadline extended to July 15 amid coronavirus pandemic
IRS extends the Federal income tax deadline from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. This new due date applies to both filings and payments due April 15, 2020. This…
Employees’ rights and the coronavirus (Part 3)
Q: I read about severe cases of COVID-19 infections requiring several weeks of recovery. Can the employer fire me while being on leave due to this illness? Do I have…
$2 trillion stimulus on the way to you
I MUST admit that the $2 trillion stimulus package to counter the virus-induced slowdown is noteworthy. In the next three weeks, 93% of Americans will be receiving $1,200 each, according…