The Opening Bell

On Thursday, December 1st 2016, Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: The labor dept reports on the number of people applying for unemployment today. World Aids day is today – The mission is to lead and strengthen support for education and awareness of the disease. The U.S. Census bureau releases sales for motor vehicles today for the month of November.

This week’s thought leader came after reports of millions of new home buyers in the next five years, and mortgage rates at an all time low. Naturally Steve wanted some deeper perspective and 27 years of Residential Mortgage Business experience is what we have. John Horton is the Vice President and Senior Lending Manager at The Associated Bank specializing in construction loans, jumbo mortgages, and refinancing. Steve and John connect again post-election to see if the outcome has shifted the […]

On the November 30, 2016 Steve Grzanich welcomes in Julia Zamorska from The Best in Biz Awards to announce this years winners.  She explains what it takes to become one of the award winners and how to keep your small to large size company at the top of it’s game.  Then, security expert Adam Levin joins the show to discuss what to look out for as far as fraud during the holiday season and how to keep yourself secure.  Lastly, […]

On Tuesday November 30, 2016, Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: Personal income and outlays reports are coming out later this morning US Federal Reserve releases “beige book” which explains the summary on current economic conditions. The US National Association of Realtors has pending home sales. OPEC holds its 171st meeting in Vienna, possibly effecting oil prices throughout the world.

On the November 29, 2016 Steve Grzanich gives back with a look into this “Giving Tuesday” with guest Brooke Flanagan (Director of Institutional Advancement at Chicago Shakespeare Theater) whose organization is participating in the #ILGive Giving Tuesday Campaign.  The campaign is to bring ethical awareness in contrast to Black Friday/Cyber Monday focus.  Then, we bring on writer for Crain’s Chicago, Danny Ecker as he delves into the Kris Byant jersey sale which set a new auction record on the heels […]

On Tuesday November 28, 2016, Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: Because it’s Cyber Monday, there are no major economic reports. Today Congress returns from the Thanksgiving Break. Tomorrow the Commerce Depart will report on third quarter domestic products.

On the November 28, 2016 Steve Grzanich welcomes you back from a very festive Thanksgiving break.  Today we spotlight CEO, Pat Vihtelic from Homechef.com – He was able to create a home cooking experience that was made easy and elegant for those on the go.  We also take a look into Black Friday and Cyber Monday and see what effect it has has on the markets with Dale Buss (Forbes.com).  Lastly, we take a look at the Argo-Biz report with […]

It is the holiday time and many are many things to be thankful for in the economy Steve covered a few of the them with with Chuck Garcia the Director of Commercial Deposits & Treasury Management at The Associated Bank. Chuck Garcia is the Director of Commercial Deposits & Treasury Management and with 30+ years of finance experience.  During this interview, Chuck takes a look at the recent trends happening in the market since checking in with Steve before the […]

On the November 22, 2016 Steve Grzanich welcomes in the last show before the Thanksgiving break.  Today we welcome thought leader, Chuck Garcia of Associated bank who takes a look at what we’re thankful for in today’s economy.   Peter Frost of Food and Beverages at Crain’s Chicago also joins the show to discuss the recent changes in McDonalds marketing and the updated kiosk system they will begin implementing.  Lastly, we take a look at the Argo-Biz report with WGN’s own, […]

On the November 22, 2016 Steve Grzanich continued the lackadaisical business week as the markets stay on course.  Steve chatted about the new book,  “Truly Global: The Theory and Practice of Bringing Your Company to International Markets” by Anna Schlegel,  to talk about the millennium perspective of globalization. Mark Hamrick, Senior Economic Analyst at Bankrate.com, joined Steve to share the positive report about how nearly half of Americans report that they received a pay increase in the last year.