1. Time for banks to gang up on rating agencies (Reuters)

It’s time for banks to knock ratings agencies off their pedestal, writes Peter Thal Larsen.

2. How Americans use energy, in three simple charts (Washington Post)

Do we need more charts? We probably need more charts, writes Brad Plumer

3. Value Added: This real estate firm is looking for veterans who can keep their cool under pressure (Washington Post)

The Greenbelt-based real estate company that employs 1,200 people, many of them veterans, writes Thomas Heath.

4. Our digital devolvement (Washington Post)

I’ve had it with people and their smartphones, writes Michelle Singletary.

5. Could worker-owned co-ops help jumpstart the economy? (Washington Post)

Tough times have forced some Californian towns to find creative ways to get back on their feet, writes Suzy Khimm.