Kara Scott

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published their latest Dear CEO letter on 16 May 2024 which looks at implementing the Consumer Duty for closed products and services within the life insurance industry. The Dear CEO letter sets out five priority areas for firms to consider before the 31 July deadline this year, along with action prompts for firms relating to each of the areas. These five areas are based on the FCA’s supervisory insights and feedback they have received.

The latest dog breed to become the belle of the ball? The French bulldog. Demand for these pricey canine companions (think ~$3K a pup) has soared—but so has the risk associated with their rising fame. The bullish crime traces back locally as far as last summer when a French bulldog was stolen from a Knightdale home and listed on Facebook Marketplace for $4.5K—continuing to build steam across the country today.

Downtown Raleigh is really proving her resilience. Despite the recent rise in crime, business owners are buying in and continuing to establish roots—and doubling down on Downtown. It’s a welcome harbinger of hope, given that metropolitan downtowns (think San Francisco) typically experience in the face of “unsafe conditions.” Instead, local entrepreneurs remain invested in Downtown—literally. One such business owner is Caitlin Cary, who is reopening her The Pocket Gallery in City Market in January.