Norfolk Eastern Daily Press | Norfolk poet translates 'spellbinding' novel into English Norfolk Eastern Daily Press The inspiration for a seven-and-a-half-hour film and written by one of Hungary's big three internationally-acclaimed novelists, Satantango has now been translated into English by Norfolk poet George Szirtes. To send a link to this page to a friend, ... |
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Norfolk poet translates 'spellbinding' novel into English - Norfolk Eastern Daily Press
http://www.mahamastakabisheka.com/?p=36
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Bridge Private Lending teams on
http://nolaer.net/education/michael-gove-ducks-question-over-deletion-of-private-emails/
The newly renovated two-story home, located at 204 W. Lorraind Ave., marks the first step in an initiativs to transform urbanneighborhoods “one green home at a as the project’s marketing materials state. The home was purchasee for $100,000 and underwent $50,000 in refurbishments and energy-efficiency said David Borinsky, a managing member of Bridgew Private Lending, a lenderd based in Towson. Bridge Privatse Lending expects the home to sell for up to The firm teamed upwith A+ Neighbhorhood Homebuyers, a Baltimore-baseed real estate investment firm, on the project. The hous is the first to be completed as part of thegreemn campaign.
Bridge Private Lending is renovatingf seven other houses in Some of the innovations includerecycled wood, Energy Star appliances and fixtures, solar ventingf and tubing and recycled “Through this we can make our communityy livable and sustainable,” said Baltimore Mayor Sheilaq Dixon during a press conference at the house.
The newly renovated two-story home, located at 204 W. Lorraind Ave., marks the first step in an initiativs to transform urbanneighborhoods “one green home at a as the project’s marketing materials state. The home was purchasee for $100,000 and underwent $50,000 in refurbishments and energy-efficiency said David Borinsky, a managing member of Bridgew Private Lending, a lenderd based in Towson. Bridge Privatse Lending expects the home to sell for up to The firm teamed upwith A+ Neighbhorhood Homebuyers, a Baltimore-baseed real estate investment firm, on the project. The hous is the first to be completed as part of thegreemn campaign.
Bridge Private Lending is renovatingf seven other houses in Some of the innovations includerecycled wood, Energy Star appliances and fixtures, solar ventingf and tubing and recycled “Through this we can make our communityy livable and sustainable,” said Baltimore Mayor Sheilaq Dixon during a press conference at the house.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Simple trick ensures gap-free laminate floors - Ottawa Citizen
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Simple trick ensures gap-free laminate floors Ottawa Citizen Laminate flooring offers speedy installation and the freedom from finishing fumes in your home, but this stuff isn't foolproof. There are tricks you need to know and apply for long-lasting results, especially if you choose laminates that click together ... |
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Most Influential Business Women 2005: Kathleen Killion - St. Louis Business Journal:
exceeding-commissioner.blogspot.com
The internal program, with an operating budget of $530,000, spend s $350,000 on health screenings for all BJC's external education program operates ona $1.6 milliob budget, and Killion expectw to grow the project to 150,000 teachers and children in the next year. "Health care is a challenginvg industry," Killion said. "Inspiring people to take care of themselvews isa challenge." Three years ago BJC launched the Health Hall of Fame, a program that honord 13 people who demonstrate a healthy lifestyle and are makinyg an impact. The program spotlightx each person during a September Cardinalsbasebalo game.
Killion said at times she felt as though she were swimming upstream while instituting the internal healthhliteracy program. BJC previously tried to implement asimilare program, but Killion said the timinf wasn't right. Although she admits the processa at times was frustratingand disheartening, she never consideredr giving up. "Giving up is not an option. It'as not in my fiber," she Killion worked tirelessly to gain communithy support for the effort from several heavy including , the , the and . Through a contract with Weight BJC employees have lost a totalof 5,60 0 pounds over the past 14 months.
44, joined BJC's corporate team seven years ago as a management Originally from theEast Coast, Killioj moved west to study physical therapy at and graduate in 1983 with a bachelofr of science degree. Outside the office, Killion logs a six-mile run each day, and in her free time she can be foun riding English saddle on herWarmblood horse, She recently authored and published her firstt children's book, "The Glass Two thousand copies of the 23-page, hardcover book were published in its firsgt run by Imagine That Enterpris Publisher, a small St. Louis-based publisher.
Killion was recently awarded a nationa deal withBarnes & Noble Booksellers and a local deal with Killion, who is involvexd in many areas of the community, has worked with the St. Louiss Sports Commission on sportsmanship programx forschool children. "When you look at all she does -- and does well -- you stansd back and all you can do isadmire it, because you can't keep up," said St. Louis Sports Commissionb PresidentFrank Viverito, who met Killion a year ago when she joinee the commission's board of directors. Viverito said Killion's children's book is a wonderful example of how multidimensionalshe is.
The storyy follows a young girl who has a glase heart in her search fortrue love. Killion focusesd on issues relevant tochildrejn -- bullies, self-esteem and love. In an effort to sharse the book's message with children, Killion is visiting area where she reads her book and then has the studentsx draw their hearts and name the feelings they The artwork is scheduled to be displayesd at the Saint Louis ScienceCentedr Feb. 11 through Feb. 15, just in time for Valentine'sa Day. After "The Glass Slipper" was published, Killion hosted a reception for the book with about 150 Viverito said.
"Within three days, I -- and I assumer everyone else -- received a handwritten thank you for makinf that a special nightfor her," he "Instead of from us to her. It'x the little things that really saya
The internal program, with an operating budget of $530,000, spend s $350,000 on health screenings for all BJC's external education program operates ona $1.6 milliob budget, and Killion expectw to grow the project to 150,000 teachers and children in the next year. "Health care is a challenginvg industry," Killion said. "Inspiring people to take care of themselvews isa challenge." Three years ago BJC launched the Health Hall of Fame, a program that honord 13 people who demonstrate a healthy lifestyle and are makinyg an impact. The program spotlightx each person during a September Cardinalsbasebalo game.
Killion said at times she felt as though she were swimming upstream while instituting the internal healthhliteracy program. BJC previously tried to implement asimilare program, but Killion said the timinf wasn't right. Although she admits the processa at times was frustratingand disheartening, she never consideredr giving up. "Giving up is not an option. It'as not in my fiber," she Killion worked tirelessly to gain communithy support for the effort from several heavy including , the , the and . Through a contract with Weight BJC employees have lost a totalof 5,60 0 pounds over the past 14 months.
44, joined BJC's corporate team seven years ago as a management Originally from theEast Coast, Killioj moved west to study physical therapy at and graduate in 1983 with a bachelofr of science degree. Outside the office, Killion logs a six-mile run each day, and in her free time she can be foun riding English saddle on herWarmblood horse, She recently authored and published her firstt children's book, "The Glass Two thousand copies of the 23-page, hardcover book were published in its firsgt run by Imagine That Enterpris Publisher, a small St. Louis-based publisher.
Killion was recently awarded a nationa deal withBarnes & Noble Booksellers and a local deal with Killion, who is involvexd in many areas of the community, has worked with the St. Louiss Sports Commission on sportsmanship programx forschool children. "When you look at all she does -- and does well -- you stansd back and all you can do isadmire it, because you can't keep up," said St. Louis Sports Commissionb PresidentFrank Viverito, who met Killion a year ago when she joinee the commission's board of directors. Viverito said Killion's children's book is a wonderful example of how multidimensionalshe is.
The storyy follows a young girl who has a glase heart in her search fortrue love. Killion focusesd on issues relevant tochildrejn -- bullies, self-esteem and love. In an effort to sharse the book's message with children, Killion is visiting area where she reads her book and then has the studentsx draw their hearts and name the feelings they The artwork is scheduled to be displayesd at the Saint Louis ScienceCentedr Feb. 11 through Feb. 15, just in time for Valentine'sa Day. After "The Glass Slipper" was published, Killion hosted a reception for the book with about 150 Viverito said.
"Within three days, I -- and I assumer everyone else -- received a handwritten thank you for makinf that a special nightfor her," he "Instead of from us to her. It'x the little things that really saya
Monday, February 20, 2012
Bernanke denies pressuring Bank of America - Triangle Business Journal:
afyfojahejus.blogspot.com
Bernanke made the comments Thursday morning to a congressional committer investigating his rolein BofA’s purchase of the troubledd brokerage. Already, documents leaked to several media outlets suggest Bernank e tried to hide his role in the deal fromotherd regulators. He began to respond to questions fromthe U.S. Housre Committee on Oversight and Governmenf Reform at10 a.m. “The committee has already learned that Ben Bernanke and the Federaol Reserve made inappropriate threats to fire Bank of Americaw management unless they went ahead withthe ‘shotgun wedding’ that was the Merrill Lynch acquisition,” Darrelo Issa, the committee’s ranking Republican from California, said in a statement Thursday “The Federal Reserve also engaged in a cover-uop and deliberately hid concerns and pertinent details regardinb the merger from other federal regulatory agencies.
” Two week ago, BofA Chief Executive Kenneth Lewisx testified to the same committee. He told lawmakers he considerec backing out ofthe deal, but felt pressure from Bernank and then-Treasury Secretary Paulsonj to move forward for the benefit of both companiees and the economy. Paulson is expected to testify on the mattedr at afuture Charlotte-based BofA (NYSE:BAC) bought Merrill on Jan. 1 for $29.q billion. The deal resulted in BofA’ receiving an additional $20 billion in federal funds under the Troubles AssetRelief Program. BofA has received a total of $45 billio in TARP funds.
Lewis has been under intense pressures from BofA shareholders for not disclosing the deptnof Merrill’s financial difficulties before the merger. Merril l lost $15.3 billion in the fourthb quarter. Click to see Bernanke'sd written testimony.
Bernanke made the comments Thursday morning to a congressional committer investigating his rolein BofA’s purchase of the troubledd brokerage. Already, documents leaked to several media outlets suggest Bernank e tried to hide his role in the deal fromotherd regulators. He began to respond to questions fromthe U.S. Housre Committee on Oversight and Governmenf Reform at10 a.m. “The committee has already learned that Ben Bernanke and the Federaol Reserve made inappropriate threats to fire Bank of Americaw management unless they went ahead withthe ‘shotgun wedding’ that was the Merrill Lynch acquisition,” Darrelo Issa, the committee’s ranking Republican from California, said in a statement Thursday “The Federal Reserve also engaged in a cover-uop and deliberately hid concerns and pertinent details regardinb the merger from other federal regulatory agencies.
” Two week ago, BofA Chief Executive Kenneth Lewisx testified to the same committee. He told lawmakers he considerec backing out ofthe deal, but felt pressure from Bernank and then-Treasury Secretary Paulsonj to move forward for the benefit of both companiees and the economy. Paulson is expected to testify on the mattedr at afuture Charlotte-based BofA (NYSE:BAC) bought Merrill on Jan. 1 for $29.q billion. The deal resulted in BofA’ receiving an additional $20 billion in federal funds under the Troubles AssetRelief Program. BofA has received a total of $45 billio in TARP funds.
Lewis has been under intense pressures from BofA shareholders for not disclosing the deptnof Merrill’s financial difficulties before the merger. Merril l lost $15.3 billion in the fourthb quarter. Click to see Bernanke'sd written testimony.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Marine energy research center gets $1M in funding - Boston Business Journal:
rmerujopi.blogspot.com
The funding will help a consortium of researcherws working at the located withinthe — continuw developing technologies to harnes s power from offshore wind, waves and tidal The researchers come from a number of local universities and including UMass, , the , the and the . As Presidentg Barack Obama’s administration places an increased focusx on developing and implementing renewable and alternativsenergy resources, the relatively obscure worlde of marine energy is receiving significant “Three years ago the amount of DOE moneg going to hydrokinetic research was zero.
This year there’sd $40 million,” said John Miller, director of the Marin RenewableEnergy Center. “There’s a lot more moneu going into alternative energy, but this is certainl one of the area s getting its fair We have the brainpower and now we do havethe
The funding will help a consortium of researcherws working at the located withinthe — continuw developing technologies to harnes s power from offshore wind, waves and tidal The researchers come from a number of local universities and including UMass, , the , the and the . As Presidentg Barack Obama’s administration places an increased focusx on developing and implementing renewable and alternativsenergy resources, the relatively obscure worlde of marine energy is receiving significant “Three years ago the amount of DOE moneg going to hydrokinetic research was zero.
This year there’sd $40 million,” said John Miller, director of the Marin RenewableEnergy Center. “There’s a lot more moneu going into alternative energy, but this is certainl one of the area s getting its fair We have the brainpower and now we do havethe
Thursday, February 16, 2012
TECO Energy outlook remains strong - Houston Business Journal:
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billion in debt held by and subsidiariesand Co. The ratingf is supported by the underlyinvg strengthof TECO’s regulated electric and gas utilitg subsidiary, from which it derives stable cash distributions to meet its funding Fitch said a release. Tampa Electric continues to post strongcredigt metrics, it maintains solid operating performance and it benefits from Florida’s constructive regulatory environment, Fitch Fitch is concerned, however, about slowing customer growth at Tampaw Electric.
But the company has responded to slowet growth by postponing projects to increase electric Another concern for Fitch is cash flow deterioration atTECO TE) Guatemala because of the adverse rate ordefr in 2008, unplanned outages at the San Jose uncertainty over the extension of a purchasef power agreement, and the potential for deferredx or renegotiated contracts because of declininhg market prices, higher production costs and slumping demand for coal. TECO Coal and TECO Guatemalz provide roughly 20 percen of theparent company’s consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and Fitch said.
Credit ratio at Tampa Electric should benefit from higher base rates in 2009 and 2010 as a resuly ofa $138 million rate order approved in March, Fitch In addition, an affiliate waterbornw transportation agreement that reduced Tampa Electric’s annual net income by $10 million in prior years is Fitch expects coverage ratios to remain relativelyu strong with funds from operations coverage at nearly five timee in 2009. TECO Coal is expected to benefit from higher pricede contracts signedin 2008. However, soft coal demand and highetr mining production costs at TECO Coal raise the riskes ofcontractual non-performance by counter-parties and pressuredc margins.
Diverse regulatory orders and operating issuew at the Guatemalan operations will result in dividend distributionxs that are lower thanhistoricv levels. TECO's liquidity position is considered strong, Fitchn said. Cash and cash equivalents were $34.9 millionb and available credit facilitieswere $530 millionn as of March 31. Liquidity was enhanced by a netoperatingf loss-tax carry forward of $547.5 million as of Dec. 31, whicj is expected to result in minimal cash tax paymentsthrougbh 2012.
In addition, TECO's $100 millioh note maturing in 2010 is expectedf to be retired with internal Positive rating action could result in the future from consolidateed leverage ratio reduction in 2010 and higher cash flows from a full year of highere base rates in 2010 and effectivecost
billion in debt held by and subsidiariesand Co. The ratingf is supported by the underlyinvg strengthof TECO’s regulated electric and gas utilitg subsidiary, from which it derives stable cash distributions to meet its funding Fitch said a release. Tampa Electric continues to post strongcredigt metrics, it maintains solid operating performance and it benefits from Florida’s constructive regulatory environment, Fitch Fitch is concerned, however, about slowing customer growth at Tampaw Electric.
But the company has responded to slowet growth by postponing projects to increase electric Another concern for Fitch is cash flow deterioration atTECO TE) Guatemala because of the adverse rate ordefr in 2008, unplanned outages at the San Jose uncertainty over the extension of a purchasef power agreement, and the potential for deferredx or renegotiated contracts because of declininhg market prices, higher production costs and slumping demand for coal. TECO Coal and TECO Guatemalz provide roughly 20 percen of theparent company’s consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and Fitch said.
Credit ratio at Tampa Electric should benefit from higher base rates in 2009 and 2010 as a resuly ofa $138 million rate order approved in March, Fitch In addition, an affiliate waterbornw transportation agreement that reduced Tampa Electric’s annual net income by $10 million in prior years is Fitch expects coverage ratios to remain relativelyu strong with funds from operations coverage at nearly five timee in 2009. TECO Coal is expected to benefit from higher pricede contracts signedin 2008. However, soft coal demand and highetr mining production costs at TECO Coal raise the riskes ofcontractual non-performance by counter-parties and pressuredc margins.
Diverse regulatory orders and operating issuew at the Guatemalan operations will result in dividend distributionxs that are lower thanhistoricv levels. TECO's liquidity position is considered strong, Fitchn said. Cash and cash equivalents were $34.9 millionb and available credit facilitieswere $530 millionn as of March 31. Liquidity was enhanced by a netoperatingf loss-tax carry forward of $547.5 million as of Dec. 31, whicj is expected to result in minimal cash tax paymentsthrougbh 2012.
In addition, TECO's $100 millioh note maturing in 2010 is expectedf to be retired with internal Positive rating action could result in the future from consolidateed leverage ratio reduction in 2010 and higher cash flows from a full year of highere base rates in 2010 and effectivecost
Monday, February 13, 2012
Apple stock down on new iPhone, but no Jobs - Business First of Louisville:
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The stock finished trading at $143.85, down 0.57 after being down as more than 3 percenty earlier inthe day. Speculation ahead of the San Francisco even centered on if CEO Steve Jobs would make his first appearance since takingb medical leave earlier this year and whether the companhy would unveil its next generation Jobs didn't make an appearance, but Bloomberg News citesd unnamed sources Monday who said that he had been activelgy involved in the company's preparation for Monday's The new iPhone is nearly three times faster to download Web page and comez with a 3-megapixel autofocus camera. It also has voice-controkl features and a built-in compass.
The 3GS also has improvedr battery life with up to nine hours on 10 hours whilewatching video, 30 hours using 12 hours using 2G talk and five hours usinvg 3G talk. It also features a new built-inh digital compass for instant navigation. The new iPhone, available in blaci and white onJune 19, will sell for $199 for a 16GB mode l and $299 for 32GB. New versions of the MacBook Pro. A 15-inchu version that starts at $1,699, a lower-priced 17-inchy that starts at $2,499 and a 13-inch versiomn that starts at — Lower prices for the MacBook Air ultra-thin cutting $700 off the 128GB model to $1,799 and cuttint $300 off the base model at $1,499.
A new version of the Mac operatingt system, Snow Leopard, that is faster to instal l and takes up 6 gigabytesa less harddrive space. The new operating systemn comes with a new version of the Safar Web browser that Applw says is more robust and faster thanpreviouas versions. — New iPhone software including abilitu to cut and paste data and an alert feature that helpse users find their device or remotely wipe its memoryy clean if it gets stolen and later restore it using aniTunes backup.
Apple said at the conferencr that it has now sold more than 40 millio n iPhones and iPod Touches and that users of the devicesx have a choice of morethan 50,000 softwarre applications they can download.
The stock finished trading at $143.85, down 0.57 after being down as more than 3 percenty earlier inthe day. Speculation ahead of the San Francisco even centered on if CEO Steve Jobs would make his first appearance since takingb medical leave earlier this year and whether the companhy would unveil its next generation Jobs didn't make an appearance, but Bloomberg News citesd unnamed sources Monday who said that he had been activelgy involved in the company's preparation for Monday's The new iPhone is nearly three times faster to download Web page and comez with a 3-megapixel autofocus camera. It also has voice-controkl features and a built-in compass.
The 3GS also has improvedr battery life with up to nine hours on 10 hours whilewatching video, 30 hours using 12 hours using 2G talk and five hours usinvg 3G talk. It also features a new built-inh digital compass for instant navigation. The new iPhone, available in blaci and white onJune 19, will sell for $199 for a 16GB mode l and $299 for 32GB. New versions of the MacBook Pro. A 15-inchu version that starts at $1,699, a lower-priced 17-inchy that starts at $2,499 and a 13-inch versiomn that starts at — Lower prices for the MacBook Air ultra-thin cutting $700 off the 128GB model to $1,799 and cuttint $300 off the base model at $1,499.
A new version of the Mac operatingt system, Snow Leopard, that is faster to instal l and takes up 6 gigabytesa less harddrive space. The new operating systemn comes with a new version of the Safar Web browser that Applw says is more robust and faster thanpreviouas versions. — New iPhone software including abilitu to cut and paste data and an alert feature that helpse users find their device or remotely wipe its memoryy clean if it gets stolen and later restore it using aniTunes backup.
Apple said at the conferencr that it has now sold more than 40 millio n iPhones and iPod Touches and that users of the devicesx have a choice of morethan 50,000 softwarre applications they can download.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Green Township OKs Mercy hospital plan - Kansas City Business Journal:
raisavydyexuwowi.blogspot.com
The plan passed 3-0. “We’re very pleased to get to this staged and excited to take the next saidPete Gemmer, spokesman for “We realize there is still a lot of work to do and we look forwared to continuing to work with the residents and the townshi leaders to develop a hospital everyone can be proued of.” The project will now be submitted to the Hamiltonh County Regional Commission for consideration, probably next month, Gemmer said. The planned hospital and parking areas would cover about 40 acres and sit near toInterstatee 74. The facility, to cost $200 million, couls open in early 2014. The proposed site is 60 acres.
Merchy has said it will closr itstwo West-Side hospitals: Mercy Hospital Western Hills and Mercy Hospital Mount The new hospital, with 200 to 250 will be a replacement for them. Some residents in the area had expressed concerns about increased traffic as a result ofthe hospital, whose main acceszs road would be from North Bend Road, at roughlt the midway point betweenh Kleeman and Boomer. Gemmer said a traffic impacf study through the HamiltonCounth Engineer’s Office is nearly complete.
The plan passed 3-0. “We’re very pleased to get to this staged and excited to take the next saidPete Gemmer, spokesman for “We realize there is still a lot of work to do and we look forwared to continuing to work with the residents and the townshi leaders to develop a hospital everyone can be proued of.” The project will now be submitted to the Hamiltonh County Regional Commission for consideration, probably next month, Gemmer said. The planned hospital and parking areas would cover about 40 acres and sit near toInterstatee 74. The facility, to cost $200 million, couls open in early 2014. The proposed site is 60 acres.
Merchy has said it will closr itstwo West-Side hospitals: Mercy Hospital Western Hills and Mercy Hospital Mount The new hospital, with 200 to 250 will be a replacement for them. Some residents in the area had expressed concerns about increased traffic as a result ofthe hospital, whose main acceszs road would be from North Bend Road, at roughlt the midway point betweenh Kleeman and Boomer. Gemmer said a traffic impacf study through the HamiltonCounth Engineer’s Office is nearly complete.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Survey: CEOs still foresee negative conditions - San Francisco Business Times:
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“This quarter’s results reflect a continuingf weak set ofeconomic conditions,” said Ivan Seidenberg, chairman of Busines s Roundtable and chairman and CEO of “Conditions – while stillk negative – appear to have begun to The D.C.-based association of CEOs representy a combined workforce of nearlyh 10 million employees and more than $5 trillio in annual sales. When asked how they anticipater their sales to fluctuate in the next six 34 percent said they will increase whiles 46 percent predicteda decrease. That is a sunnier forecas t over the first quarter outlook when just 24 percent predicted an increase in In terms of howthei U.S.
capital spending will change overthat time, 12 percenf foresee it going up, while 51 percenrt see it decreasing. Few (6 percent) expect thei r U.S. employment to increase in the next six while 49 percent anticipate their employee base to contracgtin size. That shows an improvement from the first quartedroutlook survey, when 71 percent predictecd a drop in In terms of the overall U.S. economy, member CEOs estimatre real GDP will dropby 2.1 percent in 2009, down from the estimate of a 1.9 percent declin in the first quarter of 2009. The outloo k index -- which combines member CEO projections for capital spending and employment in the six monthaahead -- expanded to 18.
5 in the second up from negative 5.0 in the first An index reading of 50 or lower is consistentg with overall economic contraction and a reading of 50 or highet is consistent with
“This quarter’s results reflect a continuingf weak set ofeconomic conditions,” said Ivan Seidenberg, chairman of Busines s Roundtable and chairman and CEO of “Conditions – while stillk negative – appear to have begun to The D.C.-based association of CEOs representy a combined workforce of nearlyh 10 million employees and more than $5 trillio in annual sales. When asked how they anticipater their sales to fluctuate in the next six 34 percent said they will increase whiles 46 percent predicteda decrease. That is a sunnier forecas t over the first quarter outlook when just 24 percent predicted an increase in In terms of howthei U.S.
capital spending will change overthat time, 12 percenf foresee it going up, while 51 percenrt see it decreasing. Few (6 percent) expect thei r U.S. employment to increase in the next six while 49 percent anticipate their employee base to contracgtin size. That shows an improvement from the first quartedroutlook survey, when 71 percent predictecd a drop in In terms of the overall U.S. economy, member CEOs estimatre real GDP will dropby 2.1 percent in 2009, down from the estimate of a 1.9 percent declin in the first quarter of 2009. The outloo k index -- which combines member CEO projections for capital spending and employment in the six monthaahead -- expanded to 18.
5 in the second up from negative 5.0 in the first An index reading of 50 or lower is consistentg with overall economic contraction and a reading of 50 or highet is consistent with
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Grand Bank taps technology to fight check fraud - Dallas Business Journal:
ra-iwinyro.blogspot.com
Check fraud basically involves taking a legitimate checik and changing information tosteal money. "This is really old-styls theft that's been going on as long as we'ved had paper checks," said Richard an executive vice president in charge of operationsat "They're holding up the bank with a piece of Banks lost $677 million to check frauf in 2003, the most recent data available from the American Bankerz Association. The $185 million bank has roller out a new check verification system that uses an encodefd marking to inspect for alterations toa check. Grandf has been helping financial servicesgiant , of Wis.
, test and refine processes for what Fiserv calla Secure Seal. Encrypted in a graphic seal on the check isthe amount, check number and The seal is printed along with all the normal information on a and can be produced through any lase r printer. Fiserv keeps a software key to decodew the seal information at its 55 processing centers nationally. The encryption can't be broken without that key, Hanes The same equipment that reads data from a check also captures information from the If the encrypted data and the plainn Englishinformation don't match, then the check is At Grand, it's the account holder's decision whetherr to let a suspect check go throughh or not, Hanes said.
Grand got the chancer to go first by testing the system with Fiserv and one of itsbankinh customers. Hanes and his fellow banker haveexperience (and connections) in the industry that go back 10 times longer than Grand's three years of business. Base d on those ties, Fiserv knew Grand Bank woulfd be happy to help in testing and get thesystemj first. "Grand Bank has always been really interesterd inthe technology," said Kristins Hill, a vice president of image processing at Hill said Fiserv has just begun teachin its sales force about Secure Seal.
For about the next quarter, Grand will be the only bank offering the seal For Fiserv, the tool is born from Its items processing division accounts for about one-third of its businessw and revenue. As companies and individuals began writingfewer checks, some of that work was disappearing. But even as the volumee of checks written beganto decline, the volums of fraudulent checks remained the same. "Good peopler were the ones stopping writing but bad people were still writing Hill said. With fewer checks, but not less fraud, Fiserv found an opportunity. Hanes said Granxd couldn't begin offering the service withouy Fiserv.
"Taking advantage of this technology is only possibldebecause we've outsourced it," Hanes said. Grand hasn'yt nailed down how it will integrate the seal into its offeringsz andfee schedule. "We think the product has value," Hanews said.
Check fraud basically involves taking a legitimate checik and changing information tosteal money. "This is really old-styls theft that's been going on as long as we'ved had paper checks," said Richard an executive vice president in charge of operationsat "They're holding up the bank with a piece of Banks lost $677 million to check frauf in 2003, the most recent data available from the American Bankerz Association. The $185 million bank has roller out a new check verification system that uses an encodefd marking to inspect for alterations toa check. Grandf has been helping financial servicesgiant , of Wis.
, test and refine processes for what Fiserv calla Secure Seal. Encrypted in a graphic seal on the check isthe amount, check number and The seal is printed along with all the normal information on a and can be produced through any lase r printer. Fiserv keeps a software key to decodew the seal information at its 55 processing centers nationally. The encryption can't be broken without that key, Hanes The same equipment that reads data from a check also captures information from the If the encrypted data and the plainn Englishinformation don't match, then the check is At Grand, it's the account holder's decision whetherr to let a suspect check go throughh or not, Hanes said.
Grand got the chancer to go first by testing the system with Fiserv and one of itsbankinh customers. Hanes and his fellow banker haveexperience (and connections) in the industry that go back 10 times longer than Grand's three years of business. Base d on those ties, Fiserv knew Grand Bank woulfd be happy to help in testing and get thesystemj first. "Grand Bank has always been really interesterd inthe technology," said Kristins Hill, a vice president of image processing at Hill said Fiserv has just begun teachin its sales force about Secure Seal.
For about the next quarter, Grand will be the only bank offering the seal For Fiserv, the tool is born from Its items processing division accounts for about one-third of its businessw and revenue. As companies and individuals began writingfewer checks, some of that work was disappearing. But even as the volumee of checks written beganto decline, the volums of fraudulent checks remained the same. "Good peopler were the ones stopping writing but bad people were still writing Hill said. With fewer checks, but not less fraud, Fiserv found an opportunity. Hanes said Granxd couldn't begin offering the service withouy Fiserv.
"Taking advantage of this technology is only possibldebecause we've outsourced it," Hanes said. Grand hasn'yt nailed down how it will integrate the seal into its offeringsz andfee schedule. "We think the product has value," Hanews said.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Florida Bank raises $18 million - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
burdukovahycel.blogspot.com
The Tampa-based parent company for Floridza Bankraised $18.3 million in a rightzs offering, which “strategically positions the company to take advantagse of growth opportunities,” the company announcef Tuesday. The completed offeringh surpassed offerings tracked by SNL Financial from publix banks based in Floridathis year, which ranged from $428,000 to nearlyy $11 million as of May 31. Floridaw Bank Group is a private bank. “Mosty banks in the United States and in Floridwa need to raise additionalequity capital.
It is particularlyg difficult for them to do so as many have had negativwe earnings in 2008 and first quarter 2009 and the market prices for publicly held bank stocks are trading at recordx low prices in terms of the rati of market price to tangible book saidBen Bishop, chairman of Jacksonville-based investmenty banker Allen C. Ewingt & Co. “In regardsx to the Florida Bank Group this offering was very successful in that they apparentlyraisede $18 million, or 90 percent of their target raise of $20 especially in these existing market Florida Bank has threw branches in Jacksonville and 16 throughout the Prior to the completed equit raise, Florida Bank had a total risk-based capitapl ratio of 11.
7 percent as of March 31, according to the Federall Deposit Insurance Corp. Regulators require that ratio to be at leasft 10 percent in order for the bank to be considered The bank grew total assetsby 64.3 percentt to $858.3 million in the first quarter compared to a year earlier. Total loans increasef 51.4 percent to nearly $665.8 million and totalk deposits jumped 85.2 percent to $687.5 million during that same “This infusion of new capital is a vote of confidencwe from our existing shareholders that will allowFBG (Florida Bank Group) to enhance its financiapl strength and even further distinguish itselfr among other banks in the market place,” said the company’x Chairman and CEO, Robert Rothman, in the announcement.
“This economic climate offers unique opportunitiez to grow and increase our customer base as consumers and businesses areseeking strong, safe banking institutions.”
The Tampa-based parent company for Floridza Bankraised $18.3 million in a rightzs offering, which “strategically positions the company to take advantagse of growth opportunities,” the company announcef Tuesday. The completed offeringh surpassed offerings tracked by SNL Financial from publix banks based in Floridathis year, which ranged from $428,000 to nearlyy $11 million as of May 31. Floridaw Bank Group is a private bank. “Mosty banks in the United States and in Floridwa need to raise additionalequity capital.
It is particularlyg difficult for them to do so as many have had negativwe earnings in 2008 and first quarter 2009 and the market prices for publicly held bank stocks are trading at recordx low prices in terms of the rati of market price to tangible book saidBen Bishop, chairman of Jacksonville-based investmenty banker Allen C. Ewingt & Co. “In regardsx to the Florida Bank Group this offering was very successful in that they apparentlyraisede $18 million, or 90 percent of their target raise of $20 especially in these existing market Florida Bank has threw branches in Jacksonville and 16 throughout the Prior to the completed equit raise, Florida Bank had a total risk-based capitapl ratio of 11.
7 percent as of March 31, according to the Federall Deposit Insurance Corp. Regulators require that ratio to be at leasft 10 percent in order for the bank to be considered The bank grew total assetsby 64.3 percentt to $858.3 million in the first quarter compared to a year earlier. Total loans increasef 51.4 percent to nearly $665.8 million and totalk deposits jumped 85.2 percent to $687.5 million during that same “This infusion of new capital is a vote of confidencwe from our existing shareholders that will allowFBG (Florida Bank Group) to enhance its financiapl strength and even further distinguish itselfr among other banks in the market place,” said the company’x Chairman and CEO, Robert Rothman, in the announcement.
“This economic climate offers unique opportunitiez to grow and increase our customer base as consumers and businesses areseeking strong, safe banking institutions.”
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Corporate relocations speed up when the economy slows down - Houston Business Journal:
younkinesagugad1746.blogspot.com
A survey of executivesx late last yearby Korn/Ferryh International indicated that 84 percent of respondent s say they are willing to consider and 55 percent are willing to move internationally for theirt next position. It’s a change of attitudee from theyear before, when a Korn/Ferrg survey indicated that more executives would rathe r fly or drive outrageously long distancex to work rather than sell their homes. Another 2009 surve y by Relocation .com showed consumers are movingt longer distances and makingmore out-of-statee moves compared to a year ago, mainly due to economic factors like a lost job.
The percentagd of consumers who moved morethan 1,000 miles nearlhy doubled compared to a year ago — 70 percent of survey respondent s said they moved 1,000 miles or compared to 36 percent in a similar study conducted in early 2008. “We are seeingb more out-of-state moves from traditionallyupopular destinations, likely because of high foreclosurwe rates and diminished property values,” says Sharon Asher, chairmanj and founder of Relocation .com.
A survey of executivesx late last yearby Korn/Ferryh International indicated that 84 percent of respondent s say they are willing to consider and 55 percent are willing to move internationally for theirt next position. It’s a change of attitudee from theyear before, when a Korn/Ferrg survey indicated that more executives would rathe r fly or drive outrageously long distancex to work rather than sell their homes. Another 2009 surve y by Relocation .com showed consumers are movingt longer distances and makingmore out-of-statee moves compared to a year ago, mainly due to economic factors like a lost job.
The percentagd of consumers who moved morethan 1,000 miles nearlhy doubled compared to a year ago — 70 percent of survey respondent s said they moved 1,000 miles or compared to 36 percent in a similar study conducted in early 2008. “We are seeingb more out-of-state moves from traditionallyupopular destinations, likely because of high foreclosurwe rates and diminished property values,” says Sharon Asher, chairmanj and founder of Relocation .com.
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