The U.S. is pressing pause on immigrant visas — and Jamaicans are caught in it.
Starting January 21, the United States will freeze immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Jamaica, with no clear end date. This is not a backlog or a delay. It is an indefinite stop while U.S. authorities tighten screening rules around who they believe may become a financial burden on the system. At the center […]
Criminal Probe Targets the US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell
Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation involving Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve, tied to a $2.5 billion renovation of the Fed’s Washington headquarters. On the surface, it sounds like a dispute over construction costs. In reality, markets see something much bigger: a direct challenge to the Fed’s independence. Powell says the investigation is […]
Barita–JN Fund Managers Deal Explained
Barita Investments Limited has agreed to acquire JN Fund Managers Limited from JN Financial Group Limited, a move that quietly reshapes Jamaica’s investment landscape and brings nearly J$30 billion in managed assets under Barita’s control. While the announcement may read like routine corporate news, it carries important implications for everyday Jamaicans who save, invest, or […]
President Maduro Appears in U.S. Court as Venezuela Gets New Acting Leader
Former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York federal court after being captured by U.S. authorities, pleading not guilty to charges that include narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering. While Maduro was escorted through Manhattan under heavy security, Venezuela moved quickly at home. Delcy Rodríguez, the country’s former vice president, was sworn in […]
US Takes Control of Venezuela After President Maduro’s Capture
The United States says it will temporarily take control of Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, who has been flown to New York and is expected to face drug and weapons charges in federal court. President Donald Trump says the U.S. will “run” the country during what he calls a “judicious transition,” with […]
Michael Lee-Chin Debt Pressure Puts NCBFG Shares in Focus
Jamaican-Canadian billionaire Michael Lee-Chin is facing a moment that markets rarely ignore: debt pressure at the top, uncertainty below, and investors watching closely. Lee-Chin is considering selling part or all of his controlling stake in NCB Financial Group Limited as he works to settle a US$94 million bond payment now due, with total bond obligations […]
Slow Hurricane Rebuilding Could Keep Prices High for Longer, BOJ warns
Jamaica’s inflation problem isn’t just about the damage left behind by Hurricane Melissa — it’s about how slowly the country is rebuilding. That’s the warning coming from the Bank of Jamaica, which says delays in turning recovery money into actual repairs could push prices even higher across the economy. Governor Richard Byles says close to […]
More Cash Flowing Into the System This Christmas, BOJ Says
The Bank of Jamaica says a lot more cash is moving through Jamaica’s economy this Christmas — and it’s not just about holiday shopping. The central bank is projecting that cash in circulation will rise by about $21 billion in December, pushing total currency in the system to roughly $321.6 billion by month-end. That represents […]
6 Money Moves for 2026
2026 is right around the corner. The calendar is about to flip, and for many people, money will move into the new year exactly the same way it left the old one — unmanaged, unreviewed, and running on autopilot. Most financial stress doesn’t come from a lack of income. It comes from never stopping long […]
JPS Bill Shock Hits Jamaicans
Jamaicans are ending the year with another hit to their wallets. Electricity bills jumped 7% in December, and the increase couldn’t have come at a worse time — just as households are already stretched by Christmas spending and higher living costs. According to the Office of Utilities Regulation, the increase was driven by events largely […]