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Bill Gates’ former assistant is worth $154 billion — and could soon be richer than the Microsoft cofounder


Bill Gates has chosen Steve Ballmer to replace him as CEO, but he remains board chairman of MicrosoftSteve Ballmer and Bill Gates.

Rick Maiman/ Getty

  • Bill Gates’ former assistant could soon be richer than the Microsoft cofounder.
  • Steve Ballmer’s $154 billion fortune ranks him just behind his former boss on Bloomberg’s rich list.
  • Ballmer’s vast wealth stems from the contract he negotiated when he was hired by Microsoft in 1980.

Bill Gates‘ former assistant has hurtled up the rankings of the world’s richest people, and could soon overtake Microsoft‘s legendary cofounder and his old boss in net worth.

Steve Ballmer’s fortune has grown by an estimated $24 billion this year to $154 billion, putting him in seventh place on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He now trails Gates — in sixth place with $157 billion — by just $3 billion, compared to $17 billion last summer.

Ballmer is richer than many big-name billionaires including Oracle’s Larry Ellison ($153 billion), Alphabet’s Sergey Brin ($148 billion), Warren Buffett ($135 billion), Michael Dell ($120 billion), and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang ($115 billion), the index shows.

He joined Microsoft in 1980 as assistant to the president, although he served as more of a business manager than a PA. Ballmer originally negotiated a $50,000 base salary plus 10% of the profit growth he generated, but when his share of the profits became excessive, he agreed to swap it for a substantial equity stake, according to Forbes.

Gates’ trusted advisor rose up the ranks to become Microsoft’s CEO in 2000. He retired from that role in 2014 with 333 million shares or a 4% stake, regulatory filings show.

Bloomberg assumes that he’s retained most of those shares, giving him a position valued at more than $150 billion based on Microsoft’s stock price. He’s likely collected billions of dollars’ worth of dividends over the years too.

Steve Ballmer MicrosoftSteve Ballmer stepped down as Microsoft CEO in 2014.

Business Insider/Julie Bort

Ballmer’s wealth has ballooned over the past year primarily because of the artificial-intelligence boom, which has boosted Microsoft stock. The computing giant’s stake in ChatGPT-parent OpenAI has fueled hopes that it can disrupt Google-owner Alphabet’s dominant position in internet search, lifting Microsoft shares by about a third over the past 12 months.

It’s worth underscoring that Ballmer is an anomaly among the 10 wealthiest people on Bloomberg’s rich list. Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault, Jeff Bezos, and the rest owe their wealth to stakes in companies they founded or still run, whereas Ballmer is not Microsoft’s founder or current CEO.

If he does leapfrog Gates, who has diversified his fortune away from Microsoft stock and donated large sums to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other charities, that would be a truly rare case where an employee winds up richer than his company’s founder.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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CD and Savings Rates Today: Start Earning More Interest


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The offers and details on this page may have updated or changed since the time of publication. See our article on Business Insider for current information.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate banking products to write unbiased product reviews.

Banks are fighting for customer dollars right now, and people with cash to spare are well-positioned to benefit from a high rate environment. With rates rapidly changing, how can you feel confident that you’re getting the best savings account or best CD?

We monitor rates from banks and credit unions daily to help you feel confident before you open a new account. Experts don’t expect CD rates to go up in 2024, so now could be a great time to lock in a rate if you’re ready. Here are the top rates for popular savings accounts and CDs on Tuesday, June 18.

Featured Nationally Available Deposit Rates

Account Name APY (Annual Percentage Yield) Accurate as of 6/17/2024 Minimum Account Opening Balance
Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier 5.36% $500
BrioDirect High-Yield Savings Account 5.30% $5,000
Forbright Growth Savings 5.30% $0
CIT Bank Platinum Savings 5.00% (with $5,000 minimum balance) $100
Barclays Online Savings Account 4.35% $0
Capital One 360 Performance Savings 4.25% $0

Featured Nationally Available CD Rates

Account Name APY (Annual Percentage Yield) Accurate as of 6/17/2024 Minimum Account Opening Balance
Barclays 1 Year Online CD 5.00% $0
Banc of California 3 Month CD, powered by Raisin 5.34% $1
Barclays 6 Month Online CD 4.85% $0
SkyOne Federal Credit Union 1 Year No Penalty CD 4.75% $1
Discover 18 Month CD 4.40% $2,500
Bread Savings 2 Year High-Yield CD 4.65% $1,500
Quontic 5 Year CD 4.30% $500

Savings Account Bonus

Alliant High-Rate Savings Account

Earn a $100 bonus when you deposit at least $100 a month for 12 consecutive months and have a balance of $1,200 or more at the end of the 12-calendar-month period (offer expires December 31, 2024).

See more savings account bonuses »

Leading Checking & Savings Combo Account Bonus

SoFi Checking and Savings

Earn up to $300 with qualifying direct deposit for eligible customers (offer expires 12/31/24). Earn up to 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) with direct deposit.

See more bank account bonuses »

About High-Yield Accounts

High-yield savings accounts aren’t the only accounts paying favorable rates right now. You’ll typically see the highest rates at online or lower-profile institutions rather than national brands with a significant brick-and-mortar presence. This is normal; online banks have lower overhead costs and are willing to pay high rates to attract new customers.

High-Yield Savings Accounts

The best high-yield savings accounts provide the security of a savings account with the added bonus of a high APY. Savings accounts are held at a bank or credit union — not invested through a brokerage account — and are best for saving cash in pursuit of shorter-term goals, like a vacation or big purchase. 

High-Yield Checking Accounts

The best high-yield checking accounts tend to pay slightly lower rates than high-yield savings, but even they are strong in today’s rate environment. A checking account is like a hub for your money: If your paycheck is direct deposited, it’s typically to a checking account. If you transfer money to pay a bill, you typically do it from a checking account. Checking accounts are used for everyday spending and usually come with checks and/or debit cards to make that easy.

Money Market Accounts

The best money market accounts could be considered a middle ground between checking and savings: They are used for saving money but typically provide easy access to your account through checks or a debit card. They usually offer a tiered interest rate depending on your balance.

Cash Management Accounts

A cash management account is also like a savings/checking hybrid. You’ll generally see them offered by online banks, and, unlike a checking account, they usually offer unlimited transfers. A savings account often limits the number of monthly transfers, while a checking account doesn’t. Cash management accounts typically come with a debit card for easy access, but you may have to pay a fee if you want to deposit cash.

Certificates of Deposit

The best CD rates may outpace any of the other accounts we’ve described above. That’s because a certificate of deposit requires you to “lock in” your money for a predetermined amount of time ranging from three months to five years. To retrieve it before then, you’ll pay a penalty (unless you opt for one of the best no-penalty CDs). The longer you’ll let the bank hold your money, the higher rate you’ll get. CD rates aren’t variable; the rate you get upon depositing your money is the rate you’ll get for the length of your term.

About CD Terms

Locking your money into an account in exchange for a higher interest rate can be a big decision. Here’s what you need to know about common CD terms.

No-Penalty CDs

Most CDs charge you a fee if you need to withdraw money from your account before the term ends. But with a no-penalty CD, you won’t have to pay an early withdrawal penalty. The best no-penalty CDs will offer rates slightly higher than the best high-yield savings accounts, and can offer a substantially improved interest rate over traditional brick-and-mortar savings accounts.

6-Month CDs

The best 6-month CDs are offering interest rates in the mid-5% range. Six-month CDs are best for those who are looking for elevated rates on their savings for short-term gains, but are uncomfortable having limited access to their cash in the long term. These can be a good option for those who may just be getting started with saving, or who don’t have a large emergency fund for unexpected expenses.

1-Year CDs

The best 1-year CDs tend to offer some of the top CD rates, and are a popular option for many investors. A 1-year term can be an attractive option for someone building a CD ladder, or for someone who has a reasonable cash safety net but is still concerned about long-term expenses. 

2-Year CDs

The best 2-year CD rates will be slightly lower than 1-year and no-penalty CD rates. In exchange for a longer lock-in period, investors receive a long-term commitment for a specific rate. These are best used as part of a CD ladder strategy, or for those worried about a declining rate market in the foreseeable future.

3-Year CDs

The best 3-year CDs tend to have rates that are comparable to 2-year CDs. These are usually less popular for your average investor, but can be an important lever when diversifying investments and hedging against the risk of unfavorable rate markets in the long term.

5-Year CDs

The best 5-year CDs will offer lower rates than the other terms on our list, but are still popular options for investors. These CDs are best for those looking to lock in high rates for the long term. CDs are generally viewed as safe investment vehicles, and securing a favorable rate can yield considerable earnings in year three and beyond — even if rates fall elsewhere.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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SBU Drone Operation Sparks Massive Blaze at Russian Oil Depot


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Local residents in the city of Azov, in Russia’s Rostov region, heard explosions all night long, as SBU drones struck the Azovskaya and Azovnefteprodukt oil depots.


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Zelensky Signs Law on EU Roaming Integration, But Hurdles Remain


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The move is one of the many steps required toward Ukraine’s integration into the EU’s unified roaming network, and there’s still work to be done.


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Israelis stage new mass demonstrations against Prime Minister Netanyahu



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Former FBI Director James Comey weighs in on Trump trial – CNN


The post Former FBI Director James Comey weighs in on Trump trial – CNN first appeared on October Surprise 2016.


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Truth, lies and leadership: A conversation with former FBI Director James Comey | What Keeps You Up at Night? podcast – Roanoke Times


The post Truth, lies and leadership: A conversation with former FBI Director James Comey | What Keeps You Up at Night? podcast – Roanoke Times first appeared on October Surprise 2016.


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@officejjsmart: RT by @mikenov: RUSSIA’S NUKE SUB IS COLLAPSING “Russia’s newest nuclear submarine, the Kazan, falls apart visiting Cuba.“ Russian Navy = rusting bucket. Does it surprise you that the guy who recently “renovated” the ship stole the money? Credit: Marijn Markus – follow him on LinkedIn.


RUSSIA’S NUKE SUB IS COLLAPSING

“Russia’s newest nuclear submarine, the Kazan, falls apart visiting Cuba.“

Russian Navy = rusting bucket. Does it surprise you that the guy who recently “renovated” the ship stole the money?

Credit: Marijn Markus – follow him on LinkedIn. pic.twitter.com/i74XkGO0RM

— Jason Jay Smart (@officejjsmart) June 17, 2024

The post @officejjsmart: RT by @mikenov: RUSSIA’S NUKE SUB IS COLLAPSING “Russia’s newest nuclear submarine, the Kazan, falls apart visiting Cuba.“ Russian Navy = rusting bucket. Does it surprise you that the guy who recently “renovated” the ship stole the money? Credit: Marijn Markus – follow him on LinkedIn. first appeared on October Surprise 2016.


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@KyivPost: RT by @mikenov: 🇪🇺President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, Signs Law on Single Roaming #Zone with EU Now Ukrainians will be able to use mobile services in EU countries without additional charges for up to four months, and Europeans will have the same benefit in Ukraine.


🇪🇺President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, Signs Law on Single Roaming #Zone with EU

Now Ukrainians will be able to use mobile services in EU countries without additional charges for up to four months, and Europeans will have the same benefit in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/0hCsHueLRt

— KyivPost (@KyivPost) June 18, 2024

The post @KyivPost: RT by @mikenov: 🇪🇺President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, Signs Law on Single Roaming #Zone with EU Now Ukrainians will be able to use mobile services in EU countries without additional charges for up to four months, and Europeans will have the same benefit in Ukraine. first appeared on October Surprise 2016.


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@mikenov: x.com/Billbrowder/st… South Caucasus, Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev #Azerbaijan, #IlhamAliyev #NewsAndTimes #NT #TNT #News #Times #World #USA #POTUS #DOJ #FBI #CIA #DIA #ODNI #Israel #Mossad #Netanyahu #Ukraine #NewAbwehr #OSINT #Putin #Russia #GRU #Путин, #Россия #SouthCaucasus…


The post @mikenov: x.com/Billbrowder/st… South Caucasus, Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev #Azerbaijan, #IlhamAliyev #NewsAndTimes #NT #TNT #News #Times #World #USA #POTUS #DOJ #FBI #CIA #DIA #ODNI #Israel #Mossad #Netanyahu #Ukraine #NewAbwehr #OSINT #Putin #Russia #GRU #Путин, #Россия #SouthCaucasus… first appeared on October Surprise 2016.