Skip to main content

Featured

A Pricey Path to Residency: Trump Administration Unveils $1M Gold Card Visa

  The Trump administration has announced the launch of a new immigration initiative dubbed the Gold Card Visa , a program that grants residency to foreign nationals willing to invest $1 million. Marketed as a fast-track entry into the United States, the visa is designed to attract wealthy investors and entrepreneurs seeking long-term opportunities in the country. Officials describe the program as a way to boost economic growth by channeling foreign capital into American businesses and infrastructure. Critics, however, argue that the policy favors the ultra-rich while sidelining skilled workers and families who lack the financial means to participate. The Gold Card Visa is expected to generate debate over the balance between economic incentives and equitable access to immigration. Supporters see it as a pragmatic move to secure investment, while opponents warn it could deepen inequality in the immigration system.

article

TD to slash jobs after disappointing earnings report


The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) announced that it will cut an unspecified number of jobs as part of a restructuring plan to reduce costs and improve efficiency. The move comes after the bank reported lower-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter of 2023, amid rising expenses and higher provisions for credit losses.

According to its financial results, TD earned $3.2 billion, or $1.72 per share, in the quarter ended Oct. 31, down from $3.5 billion, or $1.87 per share, a year earlier. Analysts had expected earnings of $1.79 per share, according to Refinitiv. The bank’s revenue increased by 4 per cent to $11.8 billion, but its expenses rose by 7 per cent to $6.9 billion. The bank also set aside $1.1 billion for bad loans, up from $891 million in the same period last year.

TD’s chief executive officer Bharat Masrani said the bank is facing “a challenging and uncertain environment” due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the economy. He said the bank is taking “decisive actions” to adapt to the changing conditions and position itself for long-term growth. He did not provide details on how many jobs will be affected by the restructuring, but said the bank will offer support and transition assistance to the impacted employees.

TD’s disappointing earnings contrast with the strong performance of its peers, such as Royal Bank of Canada, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Bank of Montreal and National Bank of Canada, which all beat analysts’ estimates and raised their dividends in the fourth quarter. TD was the only one of the Big Six banks that did not increase its dividend, keeping it at 79 cents per share.

Comments