David Wolin, the owner of Old York Cellars winery in Ringoes and former Biglaw attorney, is a self-proclaimed worry wart. While peers spent March thinking all could go back to normal in a matter of weeks, Wolin and Old York took the position that pandemic-related changes might go on for a year.

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act has, by many accounts, left something to be desired. Former President Donald Trump signed the initial measure in March of last year to help keep businesses afloat as they faced an onslaught of restrictions and closures.

Across the nation, more than 5,000 commercial banks and savings institutions covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation reported that their third-quarter profits rose from the first and second quarters of this pandemic-stricken year. The institutions also increased their liquidity, and strengthened capital levels, which means “the banking industry remains well positioned to accommodate loan demand and support the economy,” according to a Dec. 1 FDIC report. That was the good news.

A January survey by the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University found that many establishments need additional support from the state and federal governments, including financing and technical assistance.

Erich Radlmann, managing partner at Spherion Staffing Services, talks about his firm's upcoming virtual job fair, the future of office work and where the bright spots are in hiring right now.

The Camden-based company will invest a total of more than $2 million in the two projects, which are likely to be completed in the spring with street restoration work running through the summer.

Kara Rogan was selected to lead organizational realignment and all U.S. operations for the national staffing agency based in Morristown.

Maureen Cornicelli, a resident of nearby Park Ridge, will be the new location's branch manager. She boasts a 35-year resume in retail banking, most recently as a branch manager with Columbia Bank.

The latest targets for the acquisitive Tinton Falls-based insurance brokerage were Westfield's True & Associates; J.W. Edens & Co. of Titusville, Fla.; and Two Rivers Insurance Co. Inc. of Burlington Iowa.

Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to sign the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act during the week of Jan. 11, but industry representatives believe adult use sales are months away. Timeline projections vary. If the yet-to-be-fully-seated Cannabis Regulatory Commission makes quick work of establishing the regulations by the end of the third quarter, some aspects of business can be up and running in the fourth quarter, said New Jersey CannaBusiness Association President Edmund DeVeaux. Rules must be drafted and then are subject to a period of public comment before being promulgated.

The program served as an economic lifeline to millions of small businesses and their employees when they needed it most.

Oliver Lewis will be responsible for the Commercial Banking Division consisting of the Fair Lawn-based bank’s Commercial & Industrial, SBA, Middle Market, Commercial Real Estate and Construction lending activities, Treasury Management Sales and the Business Development Department.