Business columnists from the Chicago Tribune -- chicagotribune.com

Kayce T. Ataiyero

Consumer advocates urge against income tax return loans - February 17, 2009 - With many eager to get extra cash fast these days, an income tax refund loan can be pretty tempting. Some tax preparers entice consumers with the promise of reducing refund wait times from weeks to days and, in some cases, the same day.

Bio | E-mail | Recent columns

Eric Benderoff

Microsoft to unveil Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system for cell phones - February 16, 2009 - Microsoft Corp. plans to officially announce on Monday a new mobile operating system for smart phones. Called Windows Mobile 6.5, it will be the latest version of software found on phones from a number of companies, including LG, Motorola and Samsung.

Bio | E-mail | Recent columns

Greg Burns

Financial education leaving Americans behind - February 15, 2009 - With so many personal finance decisions turning into disasters, a chorus of voices is singing the praises of financial-literacy education.

Bio | E-mail | Recent columns

David Greising

Indonesia in cross hairs of global economic slowdown - February 13, 2009 - TANJUNG PRIOK PORT, Indonesia—Customs officer Tiko Murtiadji is no economist, but as he watches a truck-size X-ray machine inspect a cargo load of car tires here, he knows evidence of the global economic slowdown is standing just outside his window.

Bio | E-mail | Recent columns

Gail MarksJarvis

Abandon all hope ye still awaiting market rebound, then healing can begin - February 18, 2009 - After climbing more than 20 percent during the so-called Obama rally in late November, stocks lost it again Tuesday and dropped to nearly the worst levels of this harsh bear market.

E-mail | Recent columns