SBA Names CBI In Top 10 Bond Agencies for FY2017

Joshua EtemadiBonds, News

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced its most active surety companies and agencies for fiscal year (FY) 2017, which contributed to increases in the Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program’s activity. Construction Bonds, Inc. (CBI) was named one of the top 10 performing bond agencies for 2017. The standing was determined by the number of bonds written through the SBG Program. The mission of the SBA’s Office of Surety Guarantees is to provide and manage surety bond guarantees for qualified small and emerging businesses. Congratulations CBI! Read the full release here. The U.S. Small Business Administration announced its most active surety companies and agencies for fiscal year (FY) 2017, which contributed to increases in the Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program’s activity. …

Scott Mugno to Head OSHA

Matt OlphinNews, Risk Management

President Donald Trump on Oct. 27 nominated Scott Mugno, vice president of safety, sustainability and vehicle maintenance at FedEx Ground, to lead OSHA as the assistant secretary of labor. If confirmed, Mugno would take over from Loren Sweatt, who has served as acting assistant secretary of labor since July 24. Sweatt is the agency’s deputy assistant secretary of labor and President Trump’s first OSHA appointee. Get more information >>>

Work With Urgency, Without Losing Quality

Denise GillinConstruction, News

As a small business owner or independent contractor, learning to manage your time effectively without compromising the quality of your services can be a difficult skill to master. However, it’s a function that must be prioritized to maintain efficiency in your business. As you know, inaccurately estimating the amount of time and resources a task requires, can throw off the rest of the day’s priorities. This can result in poor work and cost the business money, clients and invaluable time. Tell me more >>>

Winter Driving Safety – Tips for Traveling Safely

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management

By the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Driving safely in winter weather can be a challenge for even the most experienced driver. It’s easy to forget after months of mild conditions that snow and ice demand careful driving and special preparation for your vehicle. But when 17 percent of all vehicle crashes occur during winter conditions it’s clear that we could all use a refresher when it comes to making our way through a winter wonderland. Read more here >>>

Safety Tips for Raking Leaves

Denise GillinNews

As the calendar turns from September to October, the leaves turn from green to gold, red, brown, orange. The green tree canopy of summer gives way to a rainbow of autumn colours and many of us wistfully watch the leaves fall to the ground. Others of us just think, “Great, now I have to rake the lawn.” Read safe raking reminders >>>

End of Daylight Saving Time Can Be Deadly

Angela MackleyNews, Risk Management

Early next Sunday morning most of those in the United States will turn their clocks back one hour for the end of Daylight Saving Time. Most of us think: “Fantastic! I get another hour of sleep”; and yes you will. However, there is a huge difference between the “society clock” and the “biological clock” we all work from. During such time changes there is statistically an increase in safety incidents. Read the full article >>>

Is Bitcoin the Future of Money?

Russ HarlanNews, Wealth Management

Mayer Amschel Rothschild, the founding father of international finance, is reputed to have said, “Permit me to issue and control the money of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws!”1 Money and power are inextricably entwined. Most often it seems like those with the money ultimately decide who will be in power. Which makes the idea of a currency that cannot be manipulated by a government, or controlled by a central bank, a very popular one. In 2009, this libertarian ideal became a reality with the introduction of bitcoin. Purportedly developed by Satoshi Nakamoto (now regarded as a pseudonym), this so-called “cryptocurrency” allows you to pay for things without the involvement of a third-party broker, like a …