The Mailroom
More balance needed After reading Carol Hazard’s “Blurred Lines” article in the August 2020 issue, I noted the full-page ads from United Bank, Atlantic Union Bank, PNC Bank and TowneBank. Given the strong advertising support your publication receives from banks, I believe you have a moral obligation to ensure fair treatment of credit unions. The […]
Antitrust matters
On a bright spring day in May 2009, I was on the campus of Hampden-Sydney College near Farmville for my son’s graduation — obviously a proud moment for any parent. U.S. Sen. Mark Warner delivered the commencement’s keynote address. During his first term as senator and one of the first times I had heard the […]
OurView: It’s time to speak up
Whenever there is injustice, business pays the price. Can you say his name? George Floyd. The Confederate generals have taken multiple beatings in Virginia and elsewhere. Is it time for their statues to be gone? The business community needs to say “yes,” if for no other reason than because it’s good business. Virginia Busi[...]
Opinion: How we can avoid the next health care supply shortage — essential generic medicines
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, America is witnessing something many of us once thought impossible: critical shortages of health care supplies. Doctors are devising ways to make one ventilator serve two patients, and citizens are sewing protective masks for donation to local hospitals. While this kind of American resourcefulness is uplifting, it is a situation that […]
Gov. Northam, sign the Virginia Values Act
As a business leader, I’ve seen firsthand how treating people with respect, dignity and fairness is a key to success. And as a lifelong Virginian, I know that achieving equality for all in the commonwealth has had a troubled history. That’s why I was personally moved to know our lawmakers passed the Virginia Values Act. [&[...]
As COVID-19 crisis continues, SBA is saving small businesses
With the world economy in crisis, Congress and President Donald Trump are working at breakneck speed to pass a massive stimulus package. This package is necessary to restore jobs and to stop unemployment from reaching 20%. Lawmakers aren’t alone in taking action to stave off coronavirus-induced economic disaster. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued […]
A message to our readers
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia Business continues to gather the most timely and informative news each day, disseminating it through our daily e-newsletter, as well as breaking news alerts. Our upcoming April issue, which will be available both in print and online, will include a cover story special report on the coronavi[...]
Rethinking big
Once upon a time, I worked for a big company. Not for a short time, but a decades-long time. Somewhat unfortunately, I remember those years perhaps too well. Thousands of employees, rules, policies, a big human resources department, politics and power were all concentrated inside the headquarters building. And the customers were[...]
Why coronavirus’s impact on local business isn’t a predictor for recession
The past 18 months has been a roller coaster for recession risk. Last summer, headlines and talking heads screamed of a looming recession, pointing to factors like the inverted yield curve. Those screams are ringing out again as investors are fleeing to safety and bond yields have plunged around concerns of a coronavirus-driven global economic […]
Navigating the agent’s power to gift under power of attorney (POA)
A power of attorney (“POA”) is a document that appoints another — known as the “attorney-in-fact” or “agent” — to act in the principal’s place for business, financial, legal, or other purposes, often when the principal cannot do so on his or her own behalf. There are various types of POAs, and the terms and […]
Should I bank online or in person?
The advancement of technology has changed the way consumers buy, sell and do most things — including how they bank. According to a GOBankingRates survey completed last year, 49 percent of respondents prefer in-person banking, while 51 percent favor a digital method (online or mobile). While some consumers do prefer one banking[...]
It’s time for Virginia business leaders to lead on public health
Good news: We’re well into the New Year in the Old Dominion State, and Virginians are getting healthier. According to a recent United Health Foundation report, Virginia now ranks as the 15th-healthiest state in America — up from 20th last year. Dig into the research, and there is plenty to celebrate. For example, Virginia is known for […]