WebCE's Weekly Wrap-Up: September 26, 2025
WebCE Staff
By
September 26, 2025
Welcome to this week’s Wrap-Up.
From AI passing the CFA Level III exam in minutes to a $10 billion Compass-Anywhere acquisition that could change how homes are bought and sold, we’re covering the week’s latest major developments across financial services, real estate, accounting and insurance. Plus, our featured podcast dives deep into the Compass-Anywhere merger, and we wrap up with a lighthearted story from Italy that's sure to make you howl.
Let’s dive in.
Top Stories of the Week
Will the Compass deal change how homes are bought and sold? (Real Estate News)
“Once the Compass-Anywhere deal closes, it will result in the world’s largest brokerage with a dominant presence in many major metros. Compass could use its consolidated power to push its private listings effort further — and lobby organized real estate to adopt policies that support exclusive inventory. But it’s unknown what a brokerage behemoth the size of a combined Compass-Anywhere could mean for consumers — and for small brokers.”
AI models pass CFA Level III exam in minutes, raising questions for advisors (Investment News)
“For advisors, the findings highlight both the accelerating capabilities of AI and the enduring value of human expertise. While AI models can now handle specialized, high-stakes analytical reasoning required for professional financial decision-making, they still fall short in areas that require human judgment and interpersonal skills.”
NASBA Launches Redesigned CPA Mobility Site (CPA Practice Advisor)
“The redesigned website features simplified navigation and enhanced functionality, allowing accounting professionals to search for licensing requirements for different jurisdictions and determine if mobility applies, as many states have recently adopted mobility legislation, including Pennsylvania, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, and Georgia, among others.”
Gen Z says insurance’s slow AI adoption fuels talent crisis (InsuranceNewsNet)
“The industry has been able to stave off change for a very long period ... the systems, the tools, even the thinking are behind that of other industries that I’ve been in. But we’re seeing that AI could be this cataclysmic factor in reshaping how insurance is done."
Paper tax refund checks on the way out as IRS shifts to electronic payments (Journal of Accountancy)
"The IRS will begin phasing out the use of paper checks for refunds to individual taxpayers at the end of September and will publish detailed guidance for 2025 tax returns before the 2026 filing season begins, a Tuesday news release said.”
Still in the Game: 9 in 10 Older Workers Are Upskilling to Stay Competitive (Resume Now)
“A new Resume Now survey of nearly 900 Americans over age 50 reveals that 90% have pursued job training in the past two years, and more than half (51%) have paid for it themselves. Despite facing age-related bias, many older workers remain deeply engaged and committed to staying relevant. But the pressure to keep up with technology is constant, and many upskilling older workers say access to flexible, remote, or hybrid roles would help them stay in the workforce longer.”
Financial Advisor Ranked #2 Best Business Job by U.S. News & World Report
"As a larger portion of the industry shifts away from the banks, brokers and insurance companies, additional opportunities have opened," says Eric Schaefer of the Virginia-based wealth management, investment management and financial planning firm Evermay Wealth Management. "As this transition takes place, many advisors have gone independent or created ensemble relationships in new businesses. These new businesses need young, energetic and driven professionals to leverage the time of senior advisors and provide for the future continuity of the business."
Investors Seize Arizona Real Estate and Community Associations Must Respond Clearly and Legally (Real Estate Agent Magazine)
“Ultimately, Arizona’s investor-heavy housing market touches nearly every aspect of residential life—from affordability and availability to neighborhood culture and property maintenance. As the state seeks long-term solutions to its housing shortage, community associations will play a vital role in shaping how investor ownership is managed on the ground.”
Report From FINRA Board of Governors Meeting – September 2025
“FINRA’s Board of Governors met September 17-18. The Board announced the approval of four rule proposals, approved proposed amendments to FINRA’s pattern day trading rules, and received updates on the FINRA Forward initiative, the Consolidated Audit Trail and FINRA’s cybersecurity program.”
Myths & Misconceptions of Funeral Service Education and Professional Testing (American Funeral Director)
“The most important things to take away from this article are the ways that you, the licensed professional, can influence the process and make the education and testing better and even more relevant.”
Top Podcast of the Week
Compass-Anywhere Megadeal: The Unfiltered Breakdown of the $10 Billion Acquisition
Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered
56 Minutes
In this episode of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered, Keith and James break down the Compass-Anywhere megadeal. They analyze the all-stock transaction and its potential impact on the industry. The hosts discuss the deal's challenges, including managing significant debt and potential agent churn, and warn of an "arms race" for private listings. This episode provides a candid analysis of what this means for Zillow and the future of residential real estate.
Weekend Wind-Down
Italian tourist town imposes a tax on visiting dogs
How many dog puns can you spot in this quirky story about one Italian tourist destination’s new barking orders for dog owners?
“Starting in 2026, owners of dogs visiting the northern Italian city of Bolzano will be hounded for a daily tax of 1.50 euros, just under $2, part of a wider and controversial clampdown on canines in the pristine destination, a gateway to the Dolomite mountains.
“They won’t be the only ones. Local owners are being asked to pay an annual tax of 100 euros per dog.
“The initiative is meant to offset the cost of street cleaning and to fund new parks designed exclusively for dogs and their owners. It remains unclear, however, whether rumors that dogs will be barred from regular city parks will prove true.
“The tax comes on the heels of another contentious measure: requiring owners to pay to have their dogs’ DNA registered so that uncollected droppings can be matched to the culprit and fines issued. Dog owners who fail to pick up after their pets currently face penalties of up to 600 euros per violation.”