MONEY MATTERS with Christopher Hensley (Houston Economy)

Did you know that through the EB-5 Program you can raise money from foreign investors looking to migrate to the U.S. while creating U.S. jobs? The program, enacted by U.S. Congress in 1990, has brought almost $4 billion of Foreign Direct Investment into the U.S. in 2016 alone, over $18 billion since 2008. Business owners and developers can take advantage of this program by leveraging capital from overseas investors and expand or develop their project without high cost loans or equity partners.

On today’s show we talked with Charles Foster, Chairman at Foster LLP and President and EB-5 Economist at Greengate Consulting Ismael Fernandez. 

 

Charles Foster is Chairman of Foster LLP, one of the largest global immigration law firms. He is also the honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Thailand. Mr. Foster received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Texas and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law. Mr. Foster serves as the first Chairman of the State Bar of Texas Immigration and Nationality Law Section and a Board member and is past national President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Chairman of the American Bar Association Coordinating Committee on Immigration law and Vice Chairman of the Houston Bar Foundation. During the 2000 Presidential Campaign, Mr. Foster has served as an advisor to both Presidents Bush and Obama. He is Chairman of the Asia Society-Texas Center and past President of the Houston Forum and the Houston Club. He is a Director of the Greater Houston Partnership and past Chairman of its Economic Development and World Trade Divisions. He is a Trustee of the Asia Society-New York, member of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York and past Director and officer of the Houston World Affairs Council and the Houston Holocaust Museum. He is a recipient of 4 Royal decorations from His Majesty the King of Thailand; he received the 2000 Distinguished Friends of China Award; the 1996 International Service Award of the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce; was the 1998 Honoree of the American Immigration Law Foundation for Excellence in the Practice of Immigration Law; and the recipient of the 2007 American Jewish Committee Institute of Human Relations Award. He was designated a ”Texas Super Lawyer” 2003-2009 by Texas Monthly magazine; the “Top Notch Lawyer in Immigration” in the Texas Lawyer“ Go To Lawyers Guide” published in 2002 and subsequently in 2008; as well as Who’s Who In American Law and the #1 Ranked Immigration Lawyer in Texas by Chambers USA 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Ismael has extensive experience in the areas of international business and US immigration requirements including the EB-5 program for Direct investment and Regional Centers. He has helped hundreds of foreign investors realize their dream of establishing a new business in the US and enjoy the stability and transparency of doing business in such an environment. 

In addition, Dr. Fernandez is a published author on the subject of technology valuation and assessment of flexibility using Real Options. He has developed unique valuation methods for engineering projects in the face of uncertainty and has more than 8 years of experience in aerospace systems design, technology valuation, risk management, technology portfolio optimization, and financial risk in the context of long term contracts for asset management.

To learn more about Charles Foster visit:

www.fosterglobal.com

To learn more about Ismael Fernandez visit:

www.greengateplans.com

To learn more about Houston Money Week visit:

www.Houstonmoneyweek.org

 

 

http://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-finance/how-schools-can-improve-their-personal-finance-education.html/

Financial Advisor Magazine Articles:

http://www.fa-mag.com/news/advisors-stay-the-course-amid-monday-s-market-drop-22864.html?section=3 

http://www.fa-mag.com/news/on-it-s-80th-anniversaryadvisors-consider-social-security-s-impactfuture-22784.html?section=3

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab.
You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:

http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

or

www.moneymatterspodcast.com

#KPFTHOUSTON

#HoustonMoneyWK

#greengateplans

Direct download: 177.mp3
Category:Houston Economy -- posted at: 2:40pm PDT
Comments[0]

When the rain finally stoped, a vast majority of homeowners in Texas digging out from Harvey's aftermath confronted another arduous obstacle — finding enough money to repair uninsured properties. Have you already filed with FEMA but been denied? Is the estimate that your insurance company gave you much lower than what you expected. What roadblocks should you be aware of when it comes to filing a FEMA or flood insurance claim?

On today’s show we talked with former catastrophe adjuster, Kevin Godfrey about how to deal with FEMA and/or your insurance company. 

To learn more about Kevin visit:

www.HenryLaurent.com and

www.emptyup.com

To learn more about Houston Money Week visit:

www.Houstonmoneyweek.org

Resources mentioned on the show:

The U.S. Small Business Administration has monetary distribution efforts to assist your clients and residents in Harris and surrounding counties. Taking out a loan may not be ideal for everyone, but at least immediate needs can be addressed for those who qualify. SBA Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA) will also be organizing Disaster Recovery Centers and Business Recovery Centers. (Coming Soon)

 

Red Cross (800) 733-2767

www.redcross.org/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane

 

FEMA, Apply for Disaster Assistance

https://www.fema.gov/apply-assistance

 

FEMA, Next Steps following Registration

https://www.fema.gov/faq-details/Next-steps-after-registering-for-Disaster-Assistance-1370032123676

 

Houston Hispanic Forum’s Hurricane Harvey – Disaster Recovery Guide 

From our work, we were able to connect and gather information from so many organizations focusing on disaster relief. Our team created a compact and comprehensive recovery guide making it easy for our families to read in a time of distress. The Disaster Recovery Guide is a summary of immediate and long-term disaster recovery resources available in the greater Houston area. The brochure includes the link to the City of Houston’s full resource guide.

 

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Hurricane Harvey Financial Toolkit

When a catastrophe like Hurricane Harvey happens, your world can be turned upside down. During these tough times, it may be difficult to know who to trust and where to look for guidance and assistance, as well as what financial steps to take as you begin recovering. Once you have addressed your urgent needs, we have five steps you can take to help you secure your home and finances.

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/after-hurricane-harvey-financial-toolkit/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=emergency2017&utm_term=20170905

Personal Finance Cheat Sheet Article:

http://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-finance/how-schools-can-improve-their-personal-finance-education.html/

Financial Advisor Magazine Articles:

http://www.fa-mag.com/news/advisors-stay-the-course-amid-monday-s-market-drop-22864.html?section=3 

http://www.fa-mag.com/news/on-it-s-80th-anniversaryadvisors-consider-social-security-s-impactfuture-22784.html?section=3

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab.
You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:

http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

or

www.moneymatterspodcast.com

#KPFTHOUSTON

#HoustonMoneyWK

Direct download: 174.mp3
Category:Houston Economy -- posted at: 7:58am PDT
Comments[0]

The brutal storm that pummeled the Houston and Gulf Coast area is likely to rank as one of the nation's costliest natural disasters, with tens of billions in lost economic activity and property damage across a region crucial to the energy, chemical and shipping industries.

On today's show we talked about the Macro and Micro economic impact of Hurricane Harvey. We looked at expected cost at a national level. We also examined the possibility of FEMA buying out homes flooded by Harvey. 

Houston Money Week has compiled a list of resources available through our partner organizations for disaster recovery after Harvey. We discussed some of the initial rejections on FEMA claims and how to get help if you are undocumented. 

To learn more about Houston Money Week visit:

www.Houstonmoneyweek.org

Resources mentioned on the show:

The U.S. Small Business Administration has monetary distribution efforts to assist your clients and residents in Harris and surrounding counties. Taking out a loan may not be ideal for everyone, but at least immediate needs can be addressed for those who qualify. SBA Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA) will also be organizing Disaster Recovery Centers and Business Recovery Centers. (Coming Soon)

 

Red Cross (800) 733-2767

www.redcross.org/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane

 

FEMA, Apply for Disaster Assistance

https://www.fema.gov/apply-assistance

 

FEMA, Next Steps following Registration

https://www.fema.gov/faq-details/Next-steps-after-registering-for-Disaster-Assistance-1370032123676

 

Houston Hispanic Forum’s Hurricane Harvey - Disaster Recovery Guide 

From our work, we were able to connect and gather information from so many organizations focusing on disaster relief. Our team created a compact and comprehensive recovery guide making it easy for our families to read in a time of distress. The Disaster Recovery Guide is a summary of immediate and long-term disaster recovery resources available in the greater Houston area. The brochure includes the link to the City of Houston's full resource guide.

 

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Hurricane Harvey Financial Toolkit

When a catastrophe like Hurricane Harvey happens, your world can be turned upside down. During these tough times, it may be difficult to know who to trust and where to look for guidance and assistance, as well as what financial steps to take as you begin recovering. Once you have addressed your urgent needs, we have five steps you can take to help you secure your home and finances.

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/after-hurricane-harvey-financial-toolkit/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=emergency2017&utm_term=20170905

Personal Finance Cheat Sheet Article:

http://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-finance/how-schools-can-improve-their-personal-finance-education.html/

Financial Advisor Magazine Articles:

http://www.fa-mag.com/news/advisors-stay-the-course-amid-monday-s-market-drop-22864.html?section=3 

http://www.fa-mag.com/news/on-it-s-80th-anniversaryadvisors-consider-social-security-s-impactfuture-22784.html?section=3

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab.
You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:

http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

or

www.moneymatterspodcast.com

#KPFTHOUSTON

#HoustonMoneyWK

Direct download: 173.mp3
Category:Houston Economy -- posted at: 12:25pm PDT
Comments[1]

How many people in the US don't even know the name of their next door neighbor? Many people may go through life without ever experiencing a sense of community, like the residents of Alief, TX have.

Friday's guest was entrepreneur and president of Darryl Douglas Media Mike Puckett. Mike started the Alief Legends Facebook group that has blown up far beyond everyone's expectations ! With over 22k members in less than a week, Mike's efforts to bring the Alief community together has snowballed into a social media force to be reckoned with!

 

To get involved visit www.alieflegends.com

 

 

 

Personal Finance Cheat Sheet Article:
http://www.cheatsheet.com/…/how-schools-can-improve-their-…/

 

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab. You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:
http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters 

or

www.moneymatterspodcast.com
‪#‎KPFT‬ ‪#Alief

Direct download: Money_Matters_Episode_113_.mp3
Category:Houston Economy -- posted at: 6:35pm PDT
Comments[0]

Could falling oil prices actually be a good thing for certain industries in Houston? If Houston is doing well why is there such a large unbanked or under banked population compared to the rest of the country?

We explored both of these questions on a new monthly segment with Houston Business Journal's Legal and Money Reporter, Suzanne Edwards.

 

Edwards most recently comes from Shanghai, China, where she was an editor at SinoMedia and, before that, a contributor to China Economic Review. Edwards is an Austin native and interned at the Austin Business Journal, an affiliated publication. She began her journalism career as an intern at the Associate Press' Rome bureau.

Edwards graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and majored in journalism, as well as Asian cultures and languages. In addition to English, she speaks Mandarin, as well as Italian and Spanish.

Edwards will focus her coverage for HBJ on following Houston's thriving financial industry, including banks, credit unions, wealth management, philanthropy, venture capital, private equity and more. She also will cover the highly competitive law sector in Houston, where expansions and M&A continue at a rapid pace.

 

You can follow Suzanne on twitter  at @HBJSuzanne or visit her online at:

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/bio/24321/Suzanne+Edwards

 

We were also joined today by president of SimpleFi, Adam Potter. We discussed alternatives to payday loans such as credit blind programs that lend to indivduals without actually checking credit.   We discussed Financial Literacy in the workplace and how financial health can be related to physical health.

 

Adam, 35, served as a Marine Corps officer for 10 years, rehabilitating war and disaster ravaged populations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Asia. He also supported the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society financial wellness programs - which have successfully counseled troops into better financial behavior and away from predatory lenders.

He believes the work done by the military relief societies to recover troops who were overwhelmed by their expenses and debt should be continued in the private sector. Adam is an alumnus of John Hopkins University and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

 

To Find out more about Adam Potter you can visit his website at:

 

www.simplefi.org

 


You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab. You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:

http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

or

www.moneymatterspodcast.com

‪#‎kpft‬

‪#‎HBJSuzanne#houbizjournal

#simplefinews

Direct download: Money_Matters_Episode_83.mp3
Category:Houston Economy -- posted at: 1:49pm PDT
Comments[0]

Our guest today was Houston Mayor Annise Parker. We discussed the LIBOR Scandal, Houston Money Week, Job Growth, Economy and the need for Financial Literacy in the Houston / Gulf Coast Region.

Mayor Annise D. Parker serves as the Executive Officer of the City. As the City's chief administrator and official representative, the Mayor is responsible for the general management of the City and for seeing that all laws and ordinances are enforced. Administrative duties include the appointments, with Council approval, of department heads and persons serving on advisory boards.

 

As Executive Officer, the Mayor administers oaths and signs all motions, resolutions and ordinances passed by City Council. The Mayor also serves a legislative function, presiding over City Council with voting privileges. The Mayor is responsible for advising Council of the City's financial condition and presents to Council an annual budget for approval.

To find out more about Mayor Parker visit:

http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/

 

To find out more about Bank on Houston Visit:

http://bankonhouston.org/

 

To find out more about Houston Money Week vist:

http://houstonmoneyweek.org/

 

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab. You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:




http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

 

To join SOFA's Newsletter simply text SOFANL to 22828 to get started

 

Direct download: MMEP18.mp3
Category:Houston Economy -- posted at: 2:33pm PDT
Comments[0]

Tune in tomorrow morning at 10:00 am on KPFT.org, HD3 link for Money Matters.Our guest will be Houston Mayor Annise Parker. We will be discussing the LIBOR Scandal, Houston Money Week, Job Growth, Economy and the need for Financial Literacy in the Houston / Gulf Coast Region.

Mayor Annise D. Parker serves as the Executive Officer of the City. As the City's chief administrator and official representative, the Mayor is responsible for the general management of the City and for seeing that all laws and ordinances are enforced. Administrative duties include the appointments, with Council approval, of department heads and persons serving on advisory boards.

 

As Executive Officer, the Mayor administers oaths and signs all motions, resolutions and ordinances passed by City Council. The Mayor also serves a legislative function, presiding over City Council with voting privileges. The Mayor is responsible for advising Council of the City's financial condition and presents to Council an annual budget for approval.

To find out more about Mayor Parker visit:

http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab. You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:


http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

Category:Houston Economy -- posted at: 2:46pm PDT
Comments[0]

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