The Federal Reserve said on Wednesday that it would raise short-term interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis, a decision it described as a vote of confidence in the American economy even as much of the rest of the world struggles. (The New York Times)

Whether you take a long weekend or a two-week hiatus, there are a simple set of practices that can make it easier to return, especially if you lay the groundwork before you leave. Here are five things you can do now to return to work with a zero – or close to it – inbox. (Fast Company)

Most Americans probably hadn’t heard the phrase "mortgage-backed securities" until around 2008, when the subprime-mortgage crisis erupted and sent the U.S. financial system into chaos. But what exactly happened? (The Atlantic)

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 Happy Holidays!
NBMBAA wishes everyone a wonderful holiday season. Netwire is taking a hiatus and will return to your inboxes the first week of January.

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To adapt, we'll need to change our ideas about our career paths and even our day-to-day working lives. The management expert Charles Handy, in his book The Age of Unreason, calls this new model the "portfolio career." (Fast Company)

"Balance" is a luxury that few will ever attain. There needs to be a way to talk about this problem that captures why it matters for everyone. (The Atlantic)

Even when jobs aren’t scarce, you might find yourself pining for a position that is more hands-on and less middle management. When you’re submitting a resume, however, hiring managers might get the wrong idea of you "taking a step back" for the open position. But, you can still make your case and land that job, with a few simple techniques. (Money)

As the year comes to a close, people are naturally going to be talking about their New Year's resolutions. But want to know what I think you should really be focusing on in 2016? Here are four ways to further your career. (Inc.)

Being a black professor at a predominantly white university can be just as uncomfortable as – if not more so than – being a black student at one. (The Atlantic)

That gender discrimination persists in the tech industry is no surprise. With major companies under pressure lately to share their diversity stats, we now have a better sense of the issue's scope; solutions have been harder to reach. But with a new California law set to take effect in just a few weeks, things could finally begin to change. (Fast Company)

Hundreds of guests poured into the Pinefield Schools auditorium in Lagos for the second annual West African Gaming Expo, a showcase for software created in the region and hardware built elsewhere. Adedoyin Ogundoyin, the founder of local online gaming marketplace AfricGames.com, says he organized the expo on a budget of $5,000 to demonstrate to sponsors—including Google, local bank GTBank, and the U.K.’s Bournemouth University—that the region’s developers deserve more investment. (Bloomberg)

David Cameron has said there is a "a pathway to a deal" on new terms for Britain's membership of the EU after talks with other leaders. The prime minister set out his reform demands, which include controversial plans to curb access to benefits for migrants, at a dinner in Brussels. He said "good progress" has been made but it would be "hard work" to get a deal by his February deadline. (BBC News)

CommonBond is joining a small (about 3% of private sector businesses, according to the Society for Human Resource Management) but growing number of companies that are starting to implement this benefit. Klein chalks it up to employers staying ahead of a shift in preferences among millennials, who now make up one-third of the U.S. workforce and are carrying a load of debt. (The Atlantic)

Often the only way to justify spending tens of thousands of dollars on business school is the promise of a high starting salary post graduation. We took a look at our list of the 50 best business schools in the world and re-evaluated them on a ratio of starting salary to tuition to determine which schools give you the best bang for your buck. (Inc.)

As you finalized your year-end giving, consider supporting NBMBAA's LOT® Endowment Fund, a campaign that aims to improve scholastic opportunities through funding for Black youth between the ages of 15-18, through charitable support from the NBMBAA’s members, along with its corporate partners, friends and advocates. Help us to foster financial and educational assistance for Black students across the nation through undergraduate scholarships, with the goal of sending them to college at no or reduced cost.

First, Netflix gave us the autoplay feature. Now, the popular video streaming site wants to make sure you don’t sleep through your next binge-watching marathon. (Fortune)

Elizabeth Holmes rarely slips out of character. When she responds to questions in an interview or on a conference stage, she leans forward, leg crossed ankle over knee in a half-lotus manspread power pose. She lowers her voice an octave or two, as if she’s plumbing the depths of the human vocal cord. (BloombergBusinessweek)

Nearly a quarter, 23 percent, of Americans worked from home in 2014, according to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics survey. If you’re one of the lucky few that enjoys the ability to work from anywhere you like, the following tools will help keep you productive – no matter where you are.

Some economists are dismayed that the Fed’s zero-interest policy didn’t do much for infrastructure or even corporate capital investment. (The New York Times)

Rapid inflation, meager growth and a debt default have plagued Argentina for years. But its new president, Mauricio Macri, has surprised many with the blinding pace of change he has undertaken in Argentina – a country unaccustomed to economic reform. Macri promised to reboot Argentina's economy, if elected. And since he took office on December 10, he's following through. (CNN/Money)

Because of the unpredictable nature of financial markets, investors face a slew of tough calls when it comes to deciding where to put their money. Riskier markets, such as stocks and corporate bonds, tend to do better when rates are falling and investors become more willing to gamble for better yields, advisers say. (The Washington Post)

With a new year comes a fresh opportunity to get your finances in order. And thanks to Wall Street's wild ride in 2015, more Americans plan to make financial resolutions, according to a recent Fidelity survey. While the top two resolutions of "save more" and "spend less" seem pretty straight forward, they're easier said than done. (CNN/Money)

The video was beautiful. Obviously professionally produced, it highlighted the space the company had set up for innovation. Drone footage showed an open space replete with sticky notes. A 3D printer whirred in the background. A foosball table was involved. Clearly, money was being spent. (Harvard Business Review)

A percentage of professionals are labeled "road warriors," which means they spend most of the workweek traveling. Even for people who have serious wanderlust, constantly scrambling to get to the airport on time can be exhausting after a while. If you're facing a 2016 filled with travel, there are a few things you can do to make your job easier. (Inc.)

Is your social venture losing its homegrown talent – often to other social ventures? In the past two years, only 30% of open C-suite positions in the nonprofit sector were filled by an internal candidate (the rate at for-profits is 60% of positions). And almost half their replacements came from other nonprofits. (Harvard Business Review)

It's no secret that keeping in close touch with your team is important. But as a leader, you shouldn't discount the value of making time to be alone so you can think and reflect. (Inc.)

The most forward-looking companies are willing to take risks to achieve greatness. Most leaders give lip service to this idea, but few actually do it. We have worked with banks willing to take on toxic assets (again) and hedge funds willing to take a $100 million gamble on a failing company. But their leaders would still be terrified to ask their employees to stop working for two minutes a day to watch their breath go in and out. (Harvard Business Review)

The holidays are a time when we set aside demanding schedules to come together as families. For some far-flung families, it’s one of the few times that everyone comes together in a single place. As a financial planner, I encourage my clients to add a new tradition while everyone’s in town: a family financial meeting. (Money)