A new study reveals that AI-powered email reminders can significantly reduce overdraft fees by helping users pay closer attention to their finances. The randomized field experiment, conducted with over 39,000 users of a personal finance app, found that simplified and strategically framed messages—especially those emphasizing loss avoidance—were the most effective. While users with higher income and credit scores were more likely to act on the alerts, the findings highlight both the potential and limitations of AI-based financial nudges. The research offers valuable insights into the intersection of behavioral finance, financial technology, and human decision-making.

About The Study: In 2023 and 2024, more Part D beneficiaries were affected by their insurer exiting the marketplace than in previous years. This increase could be associated with changes to Medicare Part D from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which increased Part D plan sponsor financial liability. These IRA provisions were designed to lower out-of-pocket costs for Part D beneficiaries, but increased Part D plan exits could lead to more limited coverage options and less competitive Part D marketplaces. 

A new paper co-authored by UBC Okanagan’s Dr. Julien Picault shows how scenes from hit shows like Narcos and Stranger Things can help students grasp complex economic concepts—from cartels and market control to creative destruction and inflation.

In a world where cars symbolize freedom, some Israeli families are finding liberation in going without them. A new study from the Hebrew University explores the surprising motivations of middle-class parents in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem who choose to live car-free—not out of necessity, but by design. Their reasons range from fear of driving to a desire for healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and more independent children. These “outlier” families offer powerful insights that challenge transportation norms and open new avenues for policy and planning.