Business briefs

Swarovski, a fashion jeweler known for its crystal designs, will open a boutique in the Nordstrom-anchored Shops at North Bridge, 540 N. Michigan Ave., on Nov. 20. The first-of-its-kind store concept in the United States will feature a metal prism facade, textured walls with reflective white prisms and plays of light throughout the 2,640-square-foot space. Swarovski will continue to operate a kiosk at Water Tower Place mall at 835 N. Michigan Ave.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. said it will hire 1,200 mortgage loan officers, including some in Chicago, by the end of next year, a 60 percent increase in its sales force. The workers are needed as the company aggressively goes after new home mortgage business and customers refinancing their home loans.

The number of foreclosure filings in Cook County jumped 67 percent in October compared with a year ago, to 11,494, RealtyTrac's latest report shows. The number also more than doubled from the filings in September. In the Chicago metropolitan area, filings jumped 63 percent from a year ago, to 18,541 properties, and 72 percent from September. Illinois posted the third-highest state total of homes receiving foreclosure filings last month.

The share of male workers with "good" jobs has plummeted, and the decline can't just be blamed on the latest recession.

The trend extends back 30 years, according to research by the Economic Policy Institute that shows Hispanics have been the hardest hit.

The share of male workers with "good" jobs, defined as those with health care and retirement benefits and wages that add up to at least 60 percent of the median household income, dropped from 46.5 percent in 1979 to 31.3 percent last year.

Among Hispanics, the share dropped by more than half, from 30.8 percent to 15.3 percent. Among whites, the share declined from 49.3 percent to 36.5 percent. Among African Americans, it dropped from 33.4 percent to 24.1 percent.

Francine Knowles