Pending home sales fell 7.3 percent in September from August and 11.3 percent year over year, the National Association of Realtors reported, as surging mortgage rates cooled buyer demand across all four U.S. regions. NAR’s chief economist said rates may be nearing a ceiling but cautioned that energy-driven inflation remains a significant uncertainty.
Chicago-based TransUnion launched the first-ever adverse-actionable credit scores targeting synthetic identity fraud and credit washing, enabling lenders to make more informed decisions while giving consumers reason codes when credit is denied. The company estimates total lender exposure to synthetic identity fraud at $2.4 billion as of June 2026.
BMO Financial Group named Tim Cox as U.S. Country Head and CEO of its U.S. subsidiaries, effective Nov. 1, replacing Darrel Hackett, who is retiring after more than 22 years with the bank. Cox, who has served as U.S. General Counsel since 2022, brings a background in regulatory compliance and legal affairs to the role.
The Chicago Bears and PNC Bank named That’s Caring, a corporate gifting company from Elk Grove Village, as the second winner of the 2026 Small Business All-Pros program, which provides a four-week marketing partnership and community exposure to Chicago-area small businesses. Now in its seventh year, the program recognizes local entrepreneurs who drive economic growth and strengthen neighborhoods.
BMO Financial Group earned Gold-level certification from the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business’ PAIR program for the eighth consecutive year, an unprecedented milestone for a financial institution. The bank said the achievement reflects sustained efforts to create opportunities for Indigenous clients, employees and communities through initiatives spanning employment, financial empowerment and education.
Northfield-based Medline announced plans to build an approximately 800,000-square-foot distribution center in Van Buren Township, Michigan, expanding its Midwestern logistics network to serve healthcare providers across the region. The facility is expected to begin serving customers in late 2028.
Chicago-based Cboe Global Markets launched extended pre-market and post-market trading sessions for select single-stock and ETF options Monday, making Cboe the first U.S. options exchange to offer such sessions for equity options. The new sessions cover 24 single stocks and five ETFs, including some of the most actively traded names on U.S. exchanges.
Chicago-based William Blair announced Monday it has acquired Armentum Partners, a boutique debt and alternative capital solutions advisory firm that has raised more than $22 billion across 390 transactions. The deal adds enterprise value lending expertise to William Blair’s investment banking capabilities and includes a new Silicon Valley office in Menlo Park.
A Manteno, Illinois, residents’ group has filed a lawsuit against Chinese-owned battery manufacturer Goshen New Energy, alleging the company’s CCP ties and workplace safety record constitute a public nuisance — as at least eight workers report hospitalization from lead exposure at the state-subsidized plant.
Chicago-based TransUnion announced Thursday that TIME magazine named its Branded Call Display solution one of the Best Inventions of 2026, recognizing the technology’s ability to authenticate business calls in real time and combat the more than 50 billion robocalls fraudsters initiate each year.