News - Columns

Many times, I am asked to speak to someone's belief, only to confirm a suspicion, a thought, a myth or otherwise. I also hear frequently, that, “It's never been this hot before,” or it is simply getting hotter and hotter.

Overall Guam’s economy is improving with cautious optimism for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025.

When asked to provide my perspective on the current state of the banking industry in Guam, I reached out to Mark Tokito from Bank of Hawaii, Kin Cook from Bank of Guam and Ed Untalan from First Hawaiian Bank for any input they would like to provide. Although we are highly competitive, we also work well together.

The Property and Casualty Insurance market has experienced a cost transformation due to several catastrophes around the world, which has increased claim payment and the cost of reinsurance around the world.

There are currently a number of lawsuits from some real estate sellers against the National Association of Realtors, claiming that brokers and agencies have been overcharging their fees or commissions on the sales of real estate. To understand this lawsuit and what is happening, you first need to understand the laws of agency and the changes that have happened over the past 30 years in these laws and representation, and to further understand this lawsuit, we need to go back 40 to 50 years on how the laws of agency have changed.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, registered apprenticeships have been around for over 75 years. They have continued to be an avenue assisting employers in closing the skills gaps we identify in today’s workforce. Although there may be other solutions in upskilling the local labor force, I am here to tell you why this program may be invaluable to your organization.

As we entered 2023, we welcomed with relief the ending of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, which was in effect for more than three years. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the PHE will end on May 11. COVID-19 will cost the global economy over $12.5 trillion through 2024, according to a report from The International Monetary Fund. The lasting social and economic effects of the pandemic are still unfolding and will be felt for several years to come.