Monday, November 30, 2009
Analyst Note Slams AIG; Falls 12% on Reserve Fears
American International Group’s loss reserves are “significantly deficient again," Bernstein Research wrote in a note issued Monday that sent the bailed-out insurer’s stock plunging 12%... According to Dow Jones Newswires, Bernstein analyst Todd Bault slashed his price target on AIG by 40%, to $12, and warned that its losses could have “major ramifications” going forward... FoxBusiness: Analyst Note Slams AIG; Falls 12% on Reserve Fears
Permalink posted by markw @ 1:46 PM 
Lincoln Financial Group Announces Record-Breaking Sales for Hybrid Universal Life/Long-Term Care Product
Lincoln Financial Group today announced record-breaking sales of Lincoln MoneyGuard® Reserve, a hybrid universal life insurance policy with a long term care insurance rider. As of September 30, 2009, Lincoln Financial had posted $290.1 million (first-year paid premiums) in Lincoln MoneyGuard® Reserve sales year-to-date, up 17% over the prior year's same-time-period sales of $247.7 million.
Lincoln Financial Group Announces Record-Breaking Sales for Hybrid Universal Life/Long-Term Care Product
Source: PR Newswire
Lincoln Financial Group Announces Record-Breaking Sales for Hybrid Universal Life/Long-Term Care Product
Source: PR Newswire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 1:02 PM
The Latest Chapter in the Indexed Annuity Saga
A federal jury in Minnesota decided in mid-October that Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America used deceptive practices in selling billions of dollars worth of indexed annuities between 2000 and 2007.
But, in the case of Mooney vs. Allianz Life, the jury found no reason to award damages to the estimated 340,000 people who joined the class-action suit against Allianz Life, because they didn't lose money on the products.
The Latest Chapter in the Indexed Annuity Saga
Source: Retirement Income Journal
But, in the case of Mooney vs. Allianz Life, the jury found no reason to award damages to the estimated 340,000 people who joined the class-action suit against Allianz Life, because they didn't lose money on the products.
The Latest Chapter in the Indexed Annuity Saga
Source: Retirement Income Journal
Permalink posted by armandn @ 1:00 PM
Manulife Financial Completes $2.5 Billion Common Equity Offering
Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) announced today that its offering of $2,500,400,000 of common shares announced on November 18, 2009 has been completed. The common shares were sold to a syndicate of underwriters in a "bought deal" public offering.
Manulife Financial Completes $2.5 Billion Common Equity Offering
Source: PR Newswire
Manulife Financial Completes $2.5 Billion Common Equity Offering
Source: PR Newswire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:59 PM
Too Many Americans Risk a Financially Strapped Retirement
In 2004, 43 percent of households were considered at risk, based on the center's analysis of a triennial Federal Reserve survey of consumer finances. In 2007, the number rose to 44 percent, the center now estimates based on that year's Fed survey. Without waiting for the next survey in 2010, center researchers decided to update the index in response to the recent economic crisis.
Too Many Americans Risk a Financially Strapped Retirement
Source: Courant.com
Too Many Americans Risk a Financially Strapped Retirement
Source: Courant.com
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:58 PM
Globally, High-Net-Worth Investors Increase Allocations to Real Estate
Although the real estate bubble was blamed for last year’s financial crisis, real estate markets may now be benefiting from the recession, according to a new survey of global high-net-worth investors released by Barclays Wealth Monday morning.
Globally, High-Net-Worth Investors Increase Allocations to Real Estate
Source: Financial-Planning.com
Globally, High-Net-Worth Investors Increase Allocations to Real Estate
Source: Financial-Planning.com
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:52 PM
Auto insurance companies say proposed reforms would cost consumers
A group of Michigan insurance companies responded today to proposed auto insurance reforms from House Democrats, calling them a political "scheme"... “This state cannot afford the political solutions to economic issues that the Democrat leadership continues to offer,” said Tom Shields, spokesperson for the Michigan Insurance Coalition. “Every piece of insurance legislation they have proposed over the past year would cost consumers more, create a bonanza for trial lawyers or provide a climate in Michigan that will drive insurance companies and their jobs to other states.”
Under the proposal, the state auto insurance commissioner would have the power to veto rate increases. It would also prevent insurance companies from basing its rates on factors such as credit scores, occupation and education...
MLive: Auto insurance companies say proposed reforms would cost consumers more
Under the proposal, the state auto insurance commissioner would have the power to veto rate increases. It would also prevent insurance companies from basing its rates on factors such as credit scores, occupation and education...
MLive: Auto insurance companies say proposed reforms would cost consumers more
Permalink posted by markw @ 12:46 PM
Lunch Linkage: Obama mortgage relief plan to pressure banks
•Obama mortgage relief plan to pressure banks - money.cnn
•NY Fed Announces More Reverse Repos Coming, Spooks Stocks - zerohedge
•Dubai crisis is Arab economy's opportunity Amotz Asa-El's View from Jerusalem - marketwatch
•Dubai World’s Debt Not Guaranteed by Government, Official Says - bloomberg
•Krugman: “The deficit doesn’t matter” - ritholtz
•Stimulus Withdrawal: Fed to Drain Some Money Out of Economy - cnbc
•US Treasury Announces "Mortgage Modification Conversion Drive" - calculatedriskblog
•With Contagion Risk Back On The Table, Will PIIGS (Spreads) Fly? - zerohedge
•Consumer Prices: Inflation or Deflation ? - ritholtz
•The Top 8 Winners Of Obamanomics - businessinsider
•How to Think Like Your Customers - minyanville
•Say What?! - ritholtz
•Ethical Investing - Does it Even Matter? You May be Surprised - tipd
•What Happens to Citibank's $8 Billion Loan to Dubai? - zerohedge
•The Port Of Singapore Is Eerily Quiet... Too Quiet - businessinsider
•NY Fed Announces More Reverse Repos Coming, Spooks Stocks - zerohedge
•Dubai crisis is Arab economy's opportunity Amotz Asa-El's View from Jerusalem - marketwatch
•Dubai World’s Debt Not Guaranteed by Government, Official Says - bloomberg
•Krugman: “The deficit doesn’t matter” - ritholtz
•Stimulus Withdrawal: Fed to Drain Some Money Out of Economy - cnbc
•US Treasury Announces "Mortgage Modification Conversion Drive" - calculatedriskblog
•With Contagion Risk Back On The Table, Will PIIGS (Spreads) Fly? - zerohedge
•Consumer Prices: Inflation or Deflation ? - ritholtz
•The Top 8 Winners Of Obamanomics - businessinsider
•How to Think Like Your Customers - minyanville
•Say What?! - ritholtz
•Ethical Investing - Does it Even Matter? You May be Surprised - tipd
•What Happens to Citibank's $8 Billion Loan to Dubai? - zerohedge
•The Port Of Singapore Is Eerily Quiet... Too Quiet - businessinsider
Permalink posted by markw @ 11:23 AM
Who needs an adviser? Online investment sites gaining traction
If you're unhappy with your mutual fund, you can easily find another. After all, there are nearly 8,000 to choose from... But is that thinking too narrow? That's the case a couple startups are trying to make.
Companies like Covestor Investment Management and kaChing are betting they can tap into the disenchantment of a select group committed enough to do the investment homework most of us are unwilling to take on. Another requirement: Investors must be willing to try a radically different approach, one that's too new to have much of a track record...
Investment News: Who needs an adviser? Online investment sites gaining traction
Companies like Covestor Investment Management and kaChing are betting they can tap into the disenchantment of a select group committed enough to do the investment homework most of us are unwilling to take on. Another requirement: Investors must be willing to try a radically different approach, one that's too new to have much of a track record...
Investment News: Who needs an adviser? Online investment sites gaining traction
Permalink posted by markw @ 6:45 AM
Breakfast Briefing: Law school professor advises underwater homeowners to walk away from mortgages
> Businesses Can Use Twitter to Predict Sales - online.wsj
> Ben Bernanke Pleads For His Job; My Response to Bernanke - globaleconomicanalysis
> Law school professor advises underwater homeowners to walk away from mortgages - globaleconomicanalysis
> US Shoppers Spent Less Over Black Friday - cnbc
> White House, Business Leaders Split on How to Create Jobs - online.wsj
> UAE central bank sets up liquidity fund for banks - marketwatch
> Expansion may be rickety as US joblessness mounts - forbes
> Words from the investment wise - ritholtz
> Dubai banks to get support from United Arab Emirates - money.cnn
> US Senator Opposes Fed Chief Bernanke Renomination - cnbc
> NRF: Number of Shoppers Up, Average Spending Down - calculatedriskblog
> Financials are winners as Asia recoups - marketwatch
> Asian Markets Rebound on Improving Sentiment Tied to Dubai - online.wsj
> More Dubai and Futures - calculatedriskblog
> Decline of the City (and) State - zerohedge
> Dollar retreats as Dubai concerns wane - money.cnn
> Harvard Risked Its Cash - ritholtz
> Japan Preparing To Launch Quantitative Easing; What Are Three Lost Decades Among Hyperdeflationary Friends - zerohedge
> Ben Bernanke Pleads For His Job; My Response to Bernanke - globaleconomicanalysis
> Law school professor advises underwater homeowners to walk away from mortgages - globaleconomicanalysis
> US Shoppers Spent Less Over Black Friday - cnbc
> White House, Business Leaders Split on How to Create Jobs - online.wsj
> UAE central bank sets up liquidity fund for banks - marketwatch
> Expansion may be rickety as US joblessness mounts - forbes
> Words from the investment wise - ritholtz
> Dubai banks to get support from United Arab Emirates - money.cnn
> US Senator Opposes Fed Chief Bernanke Renomination - cnbc
> NRF: Number of Shoppers Up, Average Spending Down - calculatedriskblog
> Financials are winners as Asia recoups - marketwatch
> Asian Markets Rebound on Improving Sentiment Tied to Dubai - online.wsj
> More Dubai and Futures - calculatedriskblog
> Decline of the City (and) State - zerohedge
> Dollar retreats as Dubai concerns wane - money.cnn
> Harvard Risked Its Cash - ritholtz
> Japan Preparing To Launch Quantitative Easing; What Are Three Lost Decades Among Hyperdeflationary Friends - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:39 AM
Feds tweak data to keep inflation low, hurting seniors and investors, critics say
The government is manipulating the Consumer Price Index in an attempt to keep inflation low and save money, and that has major implications for retirees and some investors, several statisticians who analyze government data say... They say that artificially low inflation measures rob millions of elderly and pensioners who rely on Social Security cost-of-living adjustments to maintain purchasing power... Investment News: Feds tweak data to keep inflation low, hurting seniors and investors, critics say
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:36 AM
Employers step up to ease money stress
How much does employee stress over personal-financial issues affect performance on the job? ...That's hard to say, but researchers are paying more attention to the link between stress and performance and calling on employers to provide more basic money-management help.
Many firms already provide some guidance when it comes to helping workers manage their 401(k) retirement plans. But the caliber of assistance varies widely and typically addresses only one slice of the financial pie. Many workers also are anxious about paying bills, obtaining loans, dealing with debt and other money issues... "We estimate the productivity loss for the economy is about $4.2 billion," said Thomas Garman, a former Virginia Tech professor who's now research director at the Florida-based Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation...
AZ Central: Employers step up to ease money stress
Many firms already provide some guidance when it comes to helping workers manage their 401(k) retirement plans. But the caliber of assistance varies widely and typically addresses only one slice of the financial pie. Many workers also are anxious about paying bills, obtaining loans, dealing with debt and other money issues... "We estimate the productivity loss for the economy is about $4.2 billion," said Thomas Garman, a former Virginia Tech professor who's now research director at the Florida-based Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation...
AZ Central: Employers step up to ease money stress
Permalink posted by markw @ 3:54 AM
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sun Life Doing Robust Business in Variable Annuities
Canada’s third largest life insurer, Sun Life Financial, is making news this week. First the company announced its interest in a U.S. acquisition, and then its stateside chief executive said that it’s doing a robust business in variable annuities... This should make investors, as well as the rest of the insurance market, sit up and take notice, since variable annuities have been nothing but a black eye for many insurers. In contrast, Sun Life Financial U.S. President Wes Thompson told National Underwriter that sales were up 64 percent to $2.5 billion this year over last year... BNet: Sun Life Doing Robust Business in Variable Annuities
Permalink posted by markw @ 6:39 AM
Bonus Briefing: Despite lean times, client appreciation events still a must
> Despite lean times, client appreciation events still a must - investmentnews
> Byrne Leaving BusinessWeek to Start His Own Digital Media Company - businessweek
> Dobbs Reaches Out to Latinos, With Politics in Mind - online.wsj
> The Consumer's Credit Card Capacity Collapse; R.I.P. U.S. Middle Class Purchasing Power - zerohedge
> Federal Reserve Endorses Communism for the Wealthy - ritholtz
> Homeless Charity Revealed As A Fraud - consumerist
> Insurers' next headache? Commercial-mortgage defaults, says Fitch - investmentnews
> Initial jobless claims plummet to 14-month low - Nov. 25, 2009 - money.cnn
> Plundering California: How Public-Sector Unions Brought The State To Its Knees - globaleconomicanalysis
> The Idiot-Proof Way To Securely Use Public Wi-Fi - consumerist
> Multibillion-Dollar Push Into Energy Research - ritholtz
> You Can Buy Used ATMs On Craigslist - consumerist
> Oil rebounds above $76 ahead of U.S. supply data - Nov. 25, 2009 - money.cnn
> FOMC Minutes: "Unemployment expected to remain elevated for some time" - calculatedriskblog
> Marc Faber Sees War Against an Invented Enemy and a Big Financial Bust - globaleconomicanalysis
> Fidelity introduces Roth IRA conversion tool for RIAs, brokers - investmentnews
> Tracing The History Of China's Forex Reserves And Trade Balance - zerohedge
> Microsoft CFO to Leave at End of 2009 - foxbusiness
> Byrne Leaving BusinessWeek to Start His Own Digital Media Company - businessweek
> Dobbs Reaches Out to Latinos, With Politics in Mind - online.wsj
> The Consumer's Credit Card Capacity Collapse; R.I.P. U.S. Middle Class Purchasing Power - zerohedge
> Federal Reserve Endorses Communism for the Wealthy - ritholtz
> Homeless Charity Revealed As A Fraud - consumerist
> Insurers' next headache? Commercial-mortgage defaults, says Fitch - investmentnews
> Initial jobless claims plummet to 14-month low - Nov. 25, 2009 - money.cnn
> Plundering California: How Public-Sector Unions Brought The State To Its Knees - globaleconomicanalysis
> The Idiot-Proof Way To Securely Use Public Wi-Fi - consumerist
> Multibillion-Dollar Push Into Energy Research - ritholtz
> You Can Buy Used ATMs On Craigslist - consumerist
> Oil rebounds above $76 ahead of U.S. supply data - Nov. 25, 2009 - money.cnn
> FOMC Minutes: "Unemployment expected to remain elevated for some time" - calculatedriskblog
> Marc Faber Sees War Against an Invented Enemy and a Big Financial Bust - globaleconomicanalysis
> Fidelity introduces Roth IRA conversion tool for RIAs, brokers - investmentnews
> Tracing The History Of China's Forex Reserves And Trade Balance - zerohedge
> Microsoft CFO to Leave at End of 2009 - foxbusiness
Permalink posted by markw @ 6:23 AM
Breakfast Briefing: Albert Edwards Calls for the Next Black Swan
> Bailout Ben iPhone App - ritholtz
> The Flu Fighters in Your Food - online.wsj
> Black Friday shopping to jump 16% - money.cnn
> Washington Post: Print-Heads vs. Web-Heads - seekingalpha
> Procter & Gamble Upgraded to 'Stable' by Moody's - foxbusiness
> Scott Simon: How to Say Thanksgiving in Mandarin - online.wsj
> Albert Edwards Calls For The Next Black Swan: Expect Yuan Devaluation Following Deep 2010 Downturn - zerohedge
> The Cost Of The Upcoming Second Bailout: Democracy Itself - zerohedge
> Hussman Accuses the Fed and Treasury of "Unconstitutional Abuse of Power" - globaleconomicanalysis
> The Flu Fighters in Your Food - online.wsj
> Black Friday shopping to jump 16% - money.cnn
> Washington Post: Print-Heads vs. Web-Heads - seekingalpha
> Procter & Gamble Upgraded to 'Stable' by Moody's - foxbusiness
> Scott Simon: How to Say Thanksgiving in Mandarin - online.wsj
> Albert Edwards Calls For The Next Black Swan: Expect Yuan Devaluation Following Deep 2010 Downturn - zerohedge
> The Cost Of The Upcoming Second Bailout: Democracy Itself - zerohedge
> Hussman Accuses the Fed and Treasury of "Unconstitutional Abuse of Power" - globaleconomicanalysis
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:14 AM
Life Groups Ask Dodd to Ditch RIA Provision in Regulation Bill
Requiring insurance agents to register as advisors costly, counterproductive, groups say -- Trade groups representing life insurance agents are asking Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Connecticut), chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, to reconsider Section 913 of his bill, Restoring American Financial Stability Act, which would force life insurance agents to register as investment advisors... Investment Advisor: Life Groups Ask Dodd to Ditch RIA Provision in Regulation Bill
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:57 AM
AIG approves pay package for CEO Benmosche
American International Group Inc. on Tuesday said it will go ahead with a previously announced pay package for its new CEO Robert Benmosche of $7 million in cash and stock... Benmosche, who took over as CEO of the embattled insurer three months ago, will receive an annual salary of $3 million in cash and $4 million in AIG common stock under the pay agreement... AP: AIG approves pay package for CEO Benmosche
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:56 AM
AXA Aims To Increase Exposure To Emerging Markets
AXA SA Chief Executive Officer Henri de Castries said Tuesday the French insurance company had come through the financial crisis in better shape than some of its competitors and aims to build on that advantage by expanding in emerging markets... Over the long term, the company aims to generate 15%-20% of overall revenue from emerging markets. In 2008, 6% of its life and savings revenue on an annual premium equivalent basis came from such markets... WSJ: AXA Aims To Increase Exposure To Emerging Markets
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:54 AM
Hanged Census Worker Staged Suicide in Apparent Insurance Scam
The part-time census worker found naked, bound and hanging from a tree had staged his suicide to make it appear like murder, authorities said today... When the body of Bill Sparkman, 51, was found near a rural Kentucky cemetery in September, he was gagged, had duct tape over his eyes and neck, his hands and feet were bound with tape, and he had "fed" scrawled on his chest.
Authorities initially investigated whether Sparkman had been a victim of anti-government sentiment, but today they said in a statement that he died during an "intentional, self-inflicted act that was staged to appear as a homicide."
Two life insurance plans had also been taken out by Sparkman, a single father, right before the time of his death, but payment for suicide was precluded, said police...
ABC: Hanged Census Worker Staged Suicide in Apparent Insurance Scam
Authorities initially investigated whether Sparkman had been a victim of anti-government sentiment, but today they said in a statement that he died during an "intentional, self-inflicted act that was staged to appear as a homicide."
Two life insurance plans had also been taken out by Sparkman, a single father, right before the time of his death, but payment for suicide was precluded, said police...
ABC: Hanged Census Worker Staged Suicide in Apparent Insurance Scam
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:52 AM
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Distressed Homeowners Ponder Whether to Stay or Go
Brian Gindlesperger says he has never been late on a mortgage payment and considers paying off his loan "the right thing to do." But as the value of his home continues to fall, he is starting to wonder whether paying his debt is the smartest thing to do.
Four years ago, Mr. Gindlesperger, a police officer, and his wife Kelly, a real-estate agent, paid $650,000 for a four-bedroom house in this wealthy Phoenix suburb. They believed they were getting a bargain price for the area and made a 20% down payment, using a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to pay the balance. To help pay for their eldest daughter's college costs, home improvements and a wedding, they took out a second mortgage against their home. Now they owe about $647,000 on the two mortgages.
But home prices on average have dropped about 48% in the Phoenix area since peaking in mid-2006, according to the First American CoreLogic index. Mr. Gindlesperger figures his home now probably is worth only $375,000 to $425,000, even though it comes with a four-car garage, a pool and a 1.2-acre lot. Zillow.com, a Web site that makes home-value estimates based largely on recent sales of nearby properties, pegs their house at $374,000...
WSJ: Distressed Homeowners Ponder Whether to Stay or Go
Four years ago, Mr. Gindlesperger, a police officer, and his wife Kelly, a real-estate agent, paid $650,000 for a four-bedroom house in this wealthy Phoenix suburb. They believed they were getting a bargain price for the area and made a 20% down payment, using a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to pay the balance. To help pay for their eldest daughter's college costs, home improvements and a wedding, they took out a second mortgage against their home. Now they owe about $647,000 on the two mortgages.
But home prices on average have dropped about 48% in the Phoenix area since peaking in mid-2006, according to the First American CoreLogic index. Mr. Gindlesperger figures his home now probably is worth only $375,000 to $425,000, even though it comes with a four-car garage, a pool and a 1.2-acre lot. Zillow.com, a Web site that makes home-value estimates based largely on recent sales of nearby properties, pegs their house at $374,000...
WSJ: Distressed Homeowners Ponder Whether to Stay or Go
Permalink posted by markw @ 11:05 AM
Lunch Links: Economic survey: Job losses to bottom out in 1Q
> Gold Jumps to Record as Slumping Dollar Spurs Investment Demand - bloomberg
> Cultivating Authentic Ambition - forbes
> Do US CDS Anticipate An Increase In The Value Of The Dollar? - zerohedge
> Economic survey: Job losses to bottom out in 1Q - finance.yahoo
> S&P500 Performance Peak-to-Trough - ritholtz
> Carnival of Personal Finance #232 Thanksgiving Survival Edition - tipd
> Say Goodbye to These Killer B's (BBI, BBI-B) - fool
> Credit card rates: No holiday help from Congress - Nov. 24, 2009 - money.cnn
> The FDIC, Recursive Exceptionalism, and the Fall of the Republic - zerohedge
> Cultivating Authentic Ambition - forbes
> Do US CDS Anticipate An Increase In The Value Of The Dollar? - zerohedge
> Economic survey: Job losses to bottom out in 1Q - finance.yahoo
> S&P500 Performance Peak-to-Trough - ritholtz
> Carnival of Personal Finance #232 Thanksgiving Survival Edition - tipd
> Say Goodbye to These Killer B's (BBI, BBI-B) - fool
> Credit card rates: No holiday help from Congress - Nov. 24, 2009 - money.cnn
> The FDIC, Recursive Exceptionalism, and the Fall of the Republic - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 9:46 AM
Sales of fixed annuities trail off in the third quarter
NY Life the top FA seller during the quarter, while Pacific Life finally cracked the top 10 -- Sales of fixed annuities fell during the third quarter to $21.9 billion, reflecting a decline of 21% from the year-ago period, according to data from Beacon Research... During the first three quarters, total sales of fixed annuities were $84.5 billion, up 16% from the first three quarters of 2008... Investment News: Sales of fixed annuities trail off in the third quarter
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:49 AM
Breakfast Briefing: Citi: The Commodity Collapse Could Be "Subprime Part II"
> The World According to Americans - ritholtz
> The marketing system that guarantees success, Pt. 1 - producersweb
> RadNet, Inc. to be Featured in GE Capital's Advertising Campaign - money.cnn
> What the Global Warming Emails Reveal - online.wsj
> Small Business Administration stimulus loan money runs out - money.cnn
> Distressed Commercial Real Estate Now 600% Higher Than 2006 - businessinsider
> Existing Home Sales Surge on Cheap Condos - ritholtz
> Forecasts: Unhappy Holidays for Restaurants and Hotels - calculatedriskblog
> Congress may yank advice provision from pension bill - investmentnews
> Overstock's Fired Accounting Firm Says Overstock Is Lying About Everything - businessinsider
> Nine More Great Moments in False Advertising - finance.yahoo
> Report: Fed asks Big Banks for TARP Repayment Plans - calculatedriskblog
> Teracent: Another Google-related win for a Sonsini - marketwatch
> Citi: The Commodity Collapse Could Be "Subprime Part II" - businessinsider
> Wall Street Journal Take Crisis Coverage To The Next Level - dealbreaker
> The marketing system that guarantees success, Pt. 1 - producersweb
> RadNet, Inc. to be Featured in GE Capital's Advertising Campaign - money.cnn
> What the Global Warming Emails Reveal - online.wsj
> Small Business Administration stimulus loan money runs out - money.cnn
> Distressed Commercial Real Estate Now 600% Higher Than 2006 - businessinsider
> Existing Home Sales Surge on Cheap Condos - ritholtz
> Forecasts: Unhappy Holidays for Restaurants and Hotels - calculatedriskblog
> Congress may yank advice provision from pension bill - investmentnews
> Overstock's Fired Accounting Firm Says Overstock Is Lying About Everything - businessinsider
> Nine More Great Moments in False Advertising - finance.yahoo
> Report: Fed asks Big Banks for TARP Repayment Plans - calculatedriskblog
> Teracent: Another Google-related win for a Sonsini - marketwatch
> Citi: The Commodity Collapse Could Be "Subprime Part II" - businessinsider
> Wall Street Journal Take Crisis Coverage To The Next Level - dealbreaker
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:44 AM
Insurance agents to Dodd: Don't force us to take on RIA role
Life insurance agents' advocacy groups teamed up on Friday to ask Connecticut Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, R-Conn., to reconsider a legislative provision that would require life agents to become registered investment advisers... Investment News: Insurance agents to Dodd: Don't force us to take on RIA role
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:42 AM
Will Sun Life President Boscia Pay a Call on His Former Company?
Canadian life insurer Sun Life Financial is in the enviable position of having too much money and in need of something to do with it. So why not make a U.S. acquisition while the dollar is cheap? ...Sun Life President Jon Boscia suggested as much at an analyst conference in New York last week according to Bloomberg News. In 2007, after serving a decade as CEO of Philadelphia-based Lincoln National, Boscia retired and then moved to Sun Life, the third largest Canadian life insurer a year later... BNet: Will Sun Life President Boscia Pay a Call on His Former Company?
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:40 AM
Monday, November 23, 2009
High-Tech Devices Help Drivers Put Down Phone
Dede Haskins’s cellphone has been her constant companion for more than a decade. And she has always considered herself a careful driver — even using a hands-free set so she could keep both hands on the wheel... But after missing one too many exits because she was distracted by a phone call, Ms. Haskins decided it was time to get tough with herself. So she signed up for ZoomSafer, a free service that uses her phone’s GPS sensors to determine whether she’s at driving speeds, and then disables her cellphone until she stops the car... NYT: High-Tech Devices Help Drivers Put Down Phone
Permalink posted by markw @ 1:04 PM
Lunch Links: How To Understand The Treasury's Upcoming Liquidity Crunch
> Existing home sales rise 10.1% in October - money.cnn
> Here Is Why The Dollar Is Now Effectively Worthless - zerohedge
> Futures Track Commodities Rally - online.wsj
> Chicago Fed Index: "Economic activity leveled off in October" - calculatedriskblog
> Robust earnings to boost S&P 500 by 9.5% next year: economists - investmentnews
> A Conversation with Singapore Finance Minister Tharnan - businessweek
> Stocks Face 20% Correction if Rally Cracks: Strategist - cnbc
> Ex-Googler Patrick Keane Explains Why Associated Content Will Rule The World (GOOG) - businessinsider
> WS&T Presents the Capital Markets Outlook 2010 - wallstreetandtech
> Back in the USSA - ritholtz
> How To Understand The Treasury's Upcoming Liquidity Crunch - businessinsider
> 4-Star Stocks Poised to Pop: Shaw - fool
> China Asks Its Banks to Slow Down - General * US * News * Story - cnbc
> Fed rage boils over ahead of Bernanke's confirmation hearing - money.cnn
> What Congress has in store for the Federal Reserve - Nov. 23, 2009 - money.cnn
> Here Is Why The Dollar Is Now Effectively Worthless - zerohedge
> Futures Track Commodities Rally - online.wsj
> Chicago Fed Index: "Economic activity leveled off in October" - calculatedriskblog
> Robust earnings to boost S&P 500 by 9.5% next year: economists - investmentnews
> A Conversation with Singapore Finance Minister Tharnan - businessweek
> Stocks Face 20% Correction if Rally Cracks: Strategist - cnbc
> Ex-Googler Patrick Keane Explains Why Associated Content Will Rule The World (GOOG) - businessinsider
> WS&T Presents the Capital Markets Outlook 2010 - wallstreetandtech
> Back in the USSA - ritholtz
> How To Understand The Treasury's Upcoming Liquidity Crunch - businessinsider
> 4-Star Stocks Poised to Pop: Shaw - fool
> China Asks Its Banks to Slow Down - General * US * News * Story - cnbc
> Fed rage boils over ahead of Bernanke's confirmation hearing - money.cnn
> What Congress has in store for the Federal Reserve - Nov. 23, 2009 - money.cnn
Permalink posted by markw @ 9:58 AM
Social Networking Is Here to Stay
CHALLENGE: Social networking technology is changing the way consumers, investors and traders interact and share information. However, all companies are struggling to find ways to show how the trend is actually adding to the bottom line... Wall Street and Tech: Social Networking Is Here to Stay
Permalink posted by markw @ 9:55 AM
Cuomo Took Campaign Cash From Lawyers With Matters Before Him
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s campaign fund took tens of thousands of dollars from law firms representing clients his office investigated or accused of wrongdoing, state records show... Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP, a New York law firm led by David Boies, gave Cuomo $35,000 this year, records show. The firm represents former American International Group Inc. Chief Executive Officer Maurice “Hank” Greenberg in a civil fraud case the attorney general is pursuing. Lawyers defending Dell Inc., Deutsche Bank AG and a former state political party chief in Cuomo cases also contributed to him, records show... Bloomberg: Cuomo Took Campaign Cash From Lawyers With Matters Before Him
Permalink posted by markw @ 7:46 AM
Va. Regulators Seek To Suspend NC Mutual's License
State regulators are seeking to suspend the nation's oldest black-owned insurer from doing business in Virginia, saying its finances are in hazardous condition... WJZ: Va. Regulators Seek To Suspend NC Mutual's License
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:21 AM
NYT: The Government Will Get Creamed When It Has To Refi Its Debt
The New York Times -- not usually the first publication you'd think of when it comes to calling for fiscal prudence -- sounds the alarm over the government's massive debt load... Clusterstock: NYT: The Government Will Get Creamed When It Has To Refi Its Debt
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:50 AM
Morning Briefs: FDIC Keeping Mum About Real Estate Auction Results
> Weighing Jobs and Deficit - online.wsj
> How Overrated is Sentiment in Economics? - ritholtz
> New York State's Toxic Spiral: Preparing For The Moody's Axe, As Cash Flow "Crunch" Accelerates - zerohedge
> Venture Funds Sweeten Terms to Attract Investors - online.wsj
> FDIC on REO Sales: Keep'em in the Dark! - zerohedge
> Green Energy Live Updates Shareholders on Revenue, Acquisitions and Strategy for Sustainable Biomass-to-Energy Conversion Technology - money.cnn
> Summary and a Look Ahead - calculatedriskblog
> FDIC Keeping Mum About Real Estate Auction Results - seekingalpha
> Economists expect stronger recovery ahead in '10 - money.cnn
> Dollar Slump Persisting as Top Analysts See No Bottom (Update1) - bloomberg
> Valero's Refinery Shutdown Means The Real Economy Sucks (VLO) - businessinsider
> The Most Recent Recipient Of Obama's Middle Class-Funded Generosity: Key Largo's Ocean Reef Club For The Mega Wealthy - zerohedge
> Janet Tavakoli Retracts Her Apology To Goldman Sachs, Calls For More Regulation Of The Government Backstopped Hedge Fund - zerohedge
> Possible Changes to FHA Insured Mortgages - calculatedriskblog
> Burford Capital Makes First Two Investments - foxbusiness
> Fed's Bullard Backs Extension of MBS Purchases - calculatedriskblog
> Cramer: “People Like Overpaying!” - ritholtz
> Gold hits new record on weak dollar, momentum buying - money.cnn
> How Overrated is Sentiment in Economics? - ritholtz
> New York State's Toxic Spiral: Preparing For The Moody's Axe, As Cash Flow "Crunch" Accelerates - zerohedge
> Venture Funds Sweeten Terms to Attract Investors - online.wsj
> FDIC on REO Sales: Keep'em in the Dark! - zerohedge
> Green Energy Live Updates Shareholders on Revenue, Acquisitions and Strategy for Sustainable Biomass-to-Energy Conversion Technology - money.cnn
> Summary and a Look Ahead - calculatedriskblog
> FDIC Keeping Mum About Real Estate Auction Results - seekingalpha
> Economists expect stronger recovery ahead in '10 - money.cnn
> Dollar Slump Persisting as Top Analysts See No Bottom (Update1) - bloomberg
> Valero's Refinery Shutdown Means The Real Economy Sucks (VLO) - businessinsider
> The Most Recent Recipient Of Obama's Middle Class-Funded Generosity: Key Largo's Ocean Reef Club For The Mega Wealthy - zerohedge
> Janet Tavakoli Retracts Her Apology To Goldman Sachs, Calls For More Regulation Of The Government Backstopped Hedge Fund - zerohedge
> Possible Changes to FHA Insured Mortgages - calculatedriskblog
> Burford Capital Makes First Two Investments - foxbusiness
> Fed's Bullard Backs Extension of MBS Purchases - calculatedriskblog
> Cramer: “People Like Overpaying!” - ritholtz
> Gold hits new record on weak dollar, momentum buying - money.cnn
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:41 AM
Finally! A high-tech mood ring for advisers' anxious clients
...managing the emotions and behavior of irrational clients is one of the toughest challenges that advisers face... With that in mind, I asked these advisers if they had heard of a new gadget I read about called the Rationalizer, which is basically a very high-tech mood ring for investors... Investment News: Finally! A high-tech mood ring for advisers' anxious clients
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:32 AM
Pie for Life!
Bill Geist Checks Out the Latest in Annuities: A Pie Delivered to Your Home Once A Month Forever: Pie for Life!
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:26 AM
Friday, November 20, 2009
Lunch Links: Warren Buffett to CNBC: Curbing Fed's Independence Could Lead to 'Mischief'
> Can Salesforce.com Talk Its Way To Bigger Profits? (CRM) - fool
> Boehner blasts decision to kill investment advice rule - investmentnews
> Business Sours on Overhaul as Legislation Veers to Left - online.wsj
> Jeb Hensarling and Paul Ryan: Why No One Expects a Strong Recovery - online.wsj
> Oil continues slide as dollar strengthens - Nov. 20, 2009 - money.cnn
> A Few House Price Forecasts - calculatedriskblog
> Warren Buffett to CNBC: Curbing Fed's Independence Could Lead to 'Mischief' - cnbc
> Leading Economic Indicators Losing Strength - econompicdata
> America's Fastest-Recovering Cities - forbes
> State Unemployment Ticks Up In 29 States, Mass Layoff Events Pick Up Once Again - zerohedge
> This Week's 5 Smartest Stock Moves (AXP, T, VZ) - fool
> How The Courts Dealt The Death Blow To Commercial Real Estate - businessinsider
Permalink posted by markw @ 9:54 AM
Consumers want guarantees on investments
Forty-seven per cent of savers said they would feel safer putting money into the stock market if their original investments came with a guarantee, according to a new study by MetLife... Another 11 per cent said a guarantee would make little difference... FT: Consumers want guarantees on investments
Permalink posted by markw @ 8:19 AM
Morning Briefs: Mortgage Delinquencies, Foreclosures by Period Past Due
> Geithner Gives Urgency to Financial Reform - online.wsj
> Paul-Grayson Amendment To Audit The Fed Passes Overwhelmingly By 43-26 - zerohedge
> The 'Real' Jobless Rate: 17.5% of Workers are Unemployed - cnbc
> Some Shareholders Want Goldman to Cut Back on 2009 Bonuses - online.wsj
> Agribusiness, Food, Vegetarianism----and Taxes - angrybear
> CityCenter could make -- or break -- Las Vegas - marketwatch
> Delinquencies, foreclosures break record: MBA - marketwatch
> Bank Regulators "Reign of Terror" on Small Business Loans - globaleconomicanalysis
> Mortgage Delinquencies and Foreclosures by Period Past Due - calculatedriskblog
> Fed Balance Sheet Hits Record $2.2 Trillion In Assets On $71 Billion Increase In MBS - zerohedge
> Geithner's Resignation Is Now On The Table - businessinsider
> How Much Money Do You Need for Early Retirement? - online.wsj
> Caterpillar Posts Steep Drop In Global Machinery Sales - foxbusiness
> Nasdaq Capitalization as a % of GDP - ritholtz
> Economy of Losers - ritholtz
> Bank of Japan upbeat on economy, keeps rate steady - marketwatch
> Fidelity markets new tools guiding brokers to 'independence' - investmentnews
> Wall Street Hiring Again, But Top Talent Hard to Find - cnbc
> Paul-Grayson Amendment To Audit The Fed Passes Overwhelmingly By 43-26 - zerohedge
> The 'Real' Jobless Rate: 17.5% of Workers are Unemployed - cnbc
> Some Shareholders Want Goldman to Cut Back on 2009 Bonuses - online.wsj
> Agribusiness, Food, Vegetarianism----and Taxes - angrybear
> CityCenter could make -- or break -- Las Vegas - marketwatch
> Delinquencies, foreclosures break record: MBA - marketwatch
> Bank Regulators "Reign of Terror" on Small Business Loans - globaleconomicanalysis
> Mortgage Delinquencies and Foreclosures by Period Past Due - calculatedriskblog
> Fed Balance Sheet Hits Record $2.2 Trillion In Assets On $71 Billion Increase In MBS - zerohedge
> Geithner's Resignation Is Now On The Table - businessinsider
> How Much Money Do You Need for Early Retirement? - online.wsj
> Caterpillar Posts Steep Drop In Global Machinery Sales - foxbusiness
> Nasdaq Capitalization as a % of GDP - ritholtz
> Economy of Losers - ritholtz
> Bank of Japan upbeat on economy, keeps rate steady - marketwatch
> Fidelity markets new tools guiding brokers to 'independence' - investmentnews
> Wall Street Hiring Again, But Top Talent Hard to Find - cnbc
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:52 AM
Sun Life Calls U.S. Market Attractive for Expansion
Sun Life Financial Inc. President Jon Boscia said the U.S. insurance market is “fragmented,” allowing Canada’s third-largest insurer to expand there... “The demographics are very attractive” in the U.S., said Boscia, speaking at an investor conference in New York today... MetLife Inc., the largest U.S. life insurer, has a 9.7 percent share of the country’s individual annuity sales market, which was about $182 billion through the first nine months of this year... Bloomberg: Sun Life Calls U.S. Market Attractive for Expansion
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:43 AM
Life Insurers Face Fresh Woes From Commercial Mortgages
Commercial real estate losses could end up dealing a double blow to U.S. life insurers just as last year's residential mortgage crisis eases... WSJ: Life Insurers Face Fresh Woes From Commercial Mortgages
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:42 AM
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Afternoon News Blast: 'Henry Blodget Should Be Banned From The Industry'
> Interest due on U.S. debt: Close to $5 trillion - Nov. 19, 2009 - money.cnn
> Felix Salmon: Henry Blodget Should Be Banned From The Industry - businessinsider
> Record number of mortgage loans are delinquent - money.cnn
> Economists Opposing Fed Audit Are On Fed Payroll - globaleconomicanalysis
> The Future Of Micropayments - forbes
> How a demotion or survival job could impact your career - money.cnn
> Geithner Gives Urgency to Financial Reform - online.wsj
> Wells Fargo Forms Clean Technology Investment Group - online.wsj
> General Growth Properties Clinches Restructuring Pact on 70 Mortgages - online.wsj
> Wells Fargo Needs TARP Money More Than It Admits: Jonathan Weil - bloomberg
> Record number of mortgage loans are delinquent - Nov. 19, 2009 - money.cnn
> Labor Department kills Bush investment-advice rule - investmentnews
> Felix Salmon: Henry Blodget Should Be Banned From The Industry - businessinsider
> Record number of mortgage loans are delinquent - money.cnn
> Economists Opposing Fed Audit Are On Fed Payroll - globaleconomicanalysis
> The Future Of Micropayments - forbes
> How a demotion or survival job could impact your career - money.cnn
> Geithner Gives Urgency to Financial Reform - online.wsj
> Wells Fargo Forms Clean Technology Investment Group - online.wsj
> General Growth Properties Clinches Restructuring Pact on 70 Mortgages - online.wsj
> Wells Fargo Needs TARP Money More Than It Admits: Jonathan Weil - bloomberg
> Record number of mortgage loans are delinquent - Nov. 19, 2009 - money.cnn
> Labor Department kills Bush investment-advice rule - investmentnews
Permalink posted by markw @ 12:24 PM
Commodities May Be ‘More Challenging’ in 2010, Merrill Says
Commodity markets may be “more challenging” next year as governments curb stimulus spending and interest rates rise, according to Merrill Lynch’s Wealth Management group... Bloomberg: Commodities May Be ‘More Challenging’ in 2010, Merrill Says
Permalink posted by markw @ 12:11 PM
Moody’s Cites Wealth Woes in UBS Downgrade
Credit-rating agency Moody’s Investors Services lowered a number of ratings on UBS due to weakness in the Swiss bank’s wealth-management and investment-banking business lines – and signaled that more downgrades might be coming... WSJ: Moody’s Cites Wealth Woes in UBS Downgrade
Permalink posted by markw @ 12:10 PM
Lunch Links: Cali Has No Idea How Bad Soaring Oil Is Going To Hurt
> Checking Account Fees Are Making a Comeback - smartmoney
> The Worst-Case Scenario - zerohedge
> Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims: 505,000 - calculatedriskblog
> Cali Has No Idea How Bad Soaring Oil Is Going To Hurt - businessinsider
> The Real Decoupling - zerohedge
> Sony Unveils Its Answer to Apple's iTunes - businessweek
> A Perpetual Recession For Papers - forbes
> World Gold Council Provides Third Quarter Update In Gold Demand Trends - zerohedge
> MBA Forecasts Foreclosures to Peak in 2011 - calculatedriskblog
> The Worst-Case Scenario - zerohedge
> Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims: 505,000 - calculatedriskblog
> Cali Has No Idea How Bad Soaring Oil Is Going To Hurt - businessinsider
> The Real Decoupling - zerohedge
> Sony Unveils Its Answer to Apple's iTunes - businessweek
> A Perpetual Recession For Papers - forbes
> World Gold Council Provides Third Quarter Update In Gold Demand Trends - zerohedge
> MBA Forecasts Foreclosures to Peak in 2011 - calculatedriskblog
Permalink posted by markw @ 8:50 AM
Pimco's New Job Raises Concerns
...In the high-profile assignment for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, announced Tuesday evening, Pimco's advisory business will estimate losses in insurers' holdings of residential-mortgage bonds, estimates regulators will use to determine for 2009 the capital insurers must hold to back these bonds up. Previously, the NAIC used rating-agency ratings in its capital guidelines... The conflicts issues arise via Pimco's owner and its clients. Pimco is a unit of a global insurer Allianz SE of Germany, which also owns a life insurer in Minneapolis... WSJ: Pimco's New Job Raises Concerns
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:35 AM
Post-Crisis, Advisors Offer More Financial Planning
Professionals use more alternative investments in client portfolios... Most financial advisors are preparing to add more financial planning services to their practices as a result of the recent recession, according to a report on practice management by Cerulli Associates... OnWallStreet: Post-Crisis, Advisors Offer More Financial Planning
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:55 AM
Morning Business Briefs: The Most Important Housing Chart
> Reid to Unveil Senate Health-Care Bill - online.wsj
> One million Workers to Exhaust Unemployment Benefits in January - calculatedriskblog
> Nothing to Sneeze At: Doctors' Neckties Seen as Flu Risk - online.wsj
> Some Courts Raise Bar on Reading Employee Email - online.wsj
> Karl Rove: The Permanent Campaign Continues - online.wsj
> How Does the ‘09 Rally Stack Up Against ‘82 Bull Market? - ritholtz
> Housing Starts Green Shoots Wither On Vine - globaleconomicanalysis
> Roubini: Two U.S. Economies Diverging - businessweek
> The Failure of Regulatory Oversight - calculatedriskblog
> Picture du Jour: Plunging dollar erodes non-US investors’ returns - ritholtz
> Will There Be Too Many Lawyers in 2013? - smartmoney
> Nicolas Cage slapped with suit from former money manager - investmentnews
> While U.S. Economy Struggles, China’s Rises - ritholtz
> The Most Important Housing Chart Shows Things Are Still Getting Worse - businessinsider
> One million Workers to Exhaust Unemployment Benefits in January - calculatedriskblog
> Nothing to Sneeze At: Doctors' Neckties Seen as Flu Risk - online.wsj
> Some Courts Raise Bar on Reading Employee Email - online.wsj
> Karl Rove: The Permanent Campaign Continues - online.wsj
> How Does the ‘09 Rally Stack Up Against ‘82 Bull Market? - ritholtz
> Housing Starts Green Shoots Wither On Vine - globaleconomicanalysis
> Roubini: Two U.S. Economies Diverging - businessweek
> The Failure of Regulatory Oversight - calculatedriskblog
> Picture du Jour: Plunging dollar erodes non-US investors’ returns - ritholtz
> Will There Be Too Many Lawyers in 2013? - smartmoney
> Nicolas Cage slapped with suit from former money manager - investmentnews
> While U.S. Economy Struggles, China’s Rises - ritholtz
> The Most Important Housing Chart Shows Things Are Still Getting Worse - businessinsider
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:51 AM
STOLI on the rocks
New York is the latest in a growing list of states cracking down on stranger-originated life insurance... Investment News: STOLI on the rocks
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:46 AM
Variable Annuity Sales Decline for Sixth Quarter
Variable annuity sales in the U.S. declined for a sixth straight quarter as life insurers increased prices on the equity-linked retirement products and bailed-out companies scaled back... Sales slipped 16 percent to $31.7 billion in the three months ended Sept. 30 from $37.8 billion in the year-earlier period, trade group LIMRA International said in data posted on its Web site. Prudential Financial Inc., the second-biggest U.S. life insurer, was the top seller in the period after trailing larger rival MetLife Inc. in the first half of the year... Bloomberg: Variable Annuity Sales Decline for Sixth Quarter
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:35 AM
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Afternoon News Briefs: 'Yesterday's subprime is today's FHA'
> Housing Leads the Economy, Existing Home Sales are Irrelevant - calculatedriskblog
> Peter Thiel Says Don't Piss Off The Robots (Or Bet On A Recovery) - businessinsider
> State-by-state numbers for ‘cash for clunkers’ program - ritholtz
> Bob Toll "Yesterday’s subprime is today’s FHA. It’s a definite train wreck" - zerohedge
> Yet Another Obama Treasury Nominee Has Tax Evasion Problems - businessinsider
> Recession Watch: Pontiac Silverdome Sells For Only $583,000 - consumerist
> Quarterly Housing Starts and New Home Sales - calculatedriskblog
> Is The S&P Cash Horde Simply An Indication Of CapEx Underinvestment And Overleverage? - zerohedge
> Peter Thiel Says Don't Piss Off The Robots (Or Bet On A Recovery) - businessinsider
> State-by-state numbers for ‘cash for clunkers’ program - ritholtz
> Bob Toll "Yesterday’s subprime is today’s FHA. It’s a definite train wreck" - zerohedge
> Yet Another Obama Treasury Nominee Has Tax Evasion Problems - businessinsider
> Recession Watch: Pontiac Silverdome Sells For Only $583,000 - consumerist
> Quarterly Housing Starts and New Home Sales - calculatedriskblog
> Is The S&P Cash Horde Simply An Indication Of CapEx Underinvestment And Overleverage? - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 2:37 PM
Lunch Links: Goldman on the Dollar Carry Trade
> Housing Starts Decline Sharply in October - calculatedriskblog
> Microsoft Already Stabbing Yahoo In Back - Trying To Steal Search Partners (YHOO) - businessinsider
> It's Official: The Tesla Roadster Sport Is A Babe Magnet - businessinsider
> John Thain Says He Never Threw A Chair, Is Willing To Take Bank Of America CEO Job - dealbreaker
> Finra wins SEC approval to expand BrokerCheck - investmentnews
> American Express to Acquire Revolution Money - online.wsj
> The Upside Of AOL's Tiny Valuation: It Sets A Very Low Bar (TWX) - businessinsider
> Goldman On The Dollar Carry Trade: "A 20% Reversal In Either 3 Months Or 3 Days" - zerohedge
> Policy Challenges for the Federal Reserve - ritholtz
> Microsoft Already Stabbing Yahoo In Back - Trying To Steal Search Partners (YHOO) - businessinsider
> It's Official: The Tesla Roadster Sport Is A Babe Magnet - businessinsider
> John Thain Says He Never Threw A Chair, Is Willing To Take Bank Of America CEO Job - dealbreaker
> Finra wins SEC approval to expand BrokerCheck - investmentnews
> American Express to Acquire Revolution Money - online.wsj
> The Upside Of AOL's Tiny Valuation: It Sets A Very Low Bar (TWX) - businessinsider
> Goldman On The Dollar Carry Trade: "A 20% Reversal In Either 3 Months Or 3 Days" - zerohedge
> Policy Challenges for the Federal Reserve - ritholtz
Permalink posted by markw @ 8:49 AM
Fitch is warning Insurers Face $23 Billion Loss on Commercial Property
U.S. life insurers, a group led by MetLife Inc. and Prudential Financial Inc., may lose as much as $22.6 billion on investments in commercial real estate through 2011, Fitch Ratings said.
Mish: Fitch is warning Insurers Face $23 Billion Loss on Commercial Property.
Losses on investments in apartment buildings, offices, shopping malls and other commercial real estate will begin to increase in the next 6 months to a year as rents decline and vacancies increase, said Fitch Senior Director Andrew Davidson. Life insurer losses on commercial real estate have been “virtually nil” so far, he said...
Mish: Fitch is warning Insurers Face $23 Billion Loss on Commercial Property.
Permalink posted by markw @ 7:33 AM
UL For The Term Buyer Market
A “term universal life” insurance policy aims to meet the same financial security needs that term life meets, with durations of 10, 15, 20 or 30 years... Called Colony Term UL, the contract offers maximum issue ages that are 5 to 15 years higher than in typical term life products, says the underwriter, Genworth... National Underwriter: UL For The Term Buyer Market
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:10 AM
Morning Business Briefs: DeLong Says Odds of Another Great Depression Reach 5%
> Snowe's Push to End the ARC Loan Program - businessweek
> Feds Mull Rules, Fees to Spur Net Access - online.wsj
> Goldman Sachs Announces $500M in Aid to Small Business - businessweek
> Bob McCann vows to turn around UBS Wealth's business—and culture - investmentnews
> Testing Time-Management Strategies - online.wsj
> DeLong Says Odds of Another Great Depression Reach 5%; I Assess Odds... - globaleconomicanalysis
> Is Gold Really in a Bubble? - ritholtz
> The Next Stimulus: "Jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs" - calculatedriskblog
> This Is What SARBOX Is For . . . Beazer - ritholtz
> Financial planning advocate: Mortgage advice should not fall under proposed regulations - investmentnews
> Lions Ex-Stadium, Once Super Bowl Host, Sells for $7.25 a Seat - bloomberg
> Career development for financial advisors, Pt. 3: moving from success to sustainability - producersweb
> Obama Creates Task Force to Fight Financial Fraud - bloomberg
> How The Government Punishes You For Being Financially Responsible - businessinsider
> Roger Lowenstein on Financial Reform - ritholtz
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:53 AM
Joint Venture Income VA Rolls Out
Two big financial services companies are jointly introducing a deferred variable annuity that targets retirees and people transitioning to retirement... Called the MetLife Growth and Guaranteed Income variable annuity, the policy is issued by MetLife... Distribution is exclusively through Fidelity Investments... National Underwriter: Joint Venture Income VA Rolls Out
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:51 AM
California: Ponzi Schemer Faces 52 Years for Real Estate Fraud
A Sacramento insurance agent who looted the life savings of dozens of investors to bankroll his lavish lifestyle and prop up a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme was arrested at his residence on a total of 100 counts that include grand theft and first-degree burglary. If convicted, he faces up to 52 years in prison... William Arthur Sassman, 41, is being held in the Sacramento County Jail and bail has been set at $3.2 million.
Over the past decade, Sassman used four companies - InTex, LLC; Formulating Insurance Agency (FIA); Formulating Investments (FI); and Systematic Management Services (SMS)-to solicit investments ranging from approximately $10,000 to $500,000 from more than 50 individuals across Northern California and beyond...
UPI: Ponzi Schemer Faces 52 Years for Real Estate Fraud
Over the past decade, Sassman used four companies - InTex, LLC; Formulating Insurance Agency (FIA); Formulating Investments (FI); and Systematic Management Services (SMS)-to solicit investments ranging from approximately $10,000 to $500,000 from more than 50 individuals across Northern California and beyond...
UPI: Ponzi Schemer Faces 52 Years for Real Estate Fraud
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:44 AM
New York Legislature OKs bill regulating life settlements
New York's state Legislature has passed a bill that would to regulate life settlements, requiring brokers and intermediaries to get their insurance licenses...
Investment News: New York Legislature OKs bill regulating life settlements
Investment News: New York Legislature OKs bill regulating life settlements
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:41 AM
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Afternoon Links: Bernanke's Economic Forecasting Record
> The Wackiest Chinese Knock-Offs - businessinsider
> Producer Prices Rose Less Than Expected in October - online.wsj
> Robeco Investment Management’s Feeny still bullish on stocks despite S&P 500’s 60% run-up - investmentnews
> Who Pays the Taxes in the USA ? - ritholtz
> Bernanke’s Economic Forecasting Record - ritholtz
> Financial planning advocate: Mortgage advice should not fall under proposed regulations - investmentnews
> China Grapples With Pressure Over Currency Controls - online.wsj
> Fed's Lacker: Fed Can't be "paralyzed by patches of lingering weakness" - calculatedriskblog
> Industrial Production, Capacity Utilization Increase Slightly in October - calculatedriskblog
> Ten Questions on the Volatile Housing Market - online.wsj
> 5% Of U.S. Taxpayers Account For 60.6% Of All Tax Revenue, 47% Will Pay No Federal Tax In 2009 - zerohedge
> Is Gold Really in a Bubble? - ritholtz
Permalink posted by markw @ 11:58 AM
Mortgage delinquencies hit another record in 3Q
The pace at which people fell behind on their mortgages slowed during the summer for the third consecutive quarter, but the overall delinquency rate hit another record, a new report shows.
For the three months ended Sept. 30, 6.25 percent of U.S. mortgage loans were 60 or more days past due, according to credit reporting agency TransUnion. That's up 58 percent from 3.96 percent a year ago...
Yahoo! Finance: Mortgage delinquencies hit another record in 3Q
For the three months ended Sept. 30, 6.25 percent of U.S. mortgage loans were 60 or more days past due, according to credit reporting agency TransUnion. That's up 58 percent from 3.96 percent a year ago...
Yahoo! Finance: Mortgage delinquencies hit another record in 3Q
Permalink posted by markw @ 11:53 AM
Manning & Napier eye guaranteed-income 401(k) market
Manning & Napier Advisors, Inc. is examining the possibility of developing a guaranteed income product for the defined contribution plan market.
The firm is in preliminary discussions about how an insurance company could put a wrapper around one or more of its funds to provide a source of lifetime income to retirees, said Patrick Cunningham, managing director at the firm...
Investment News: Manning & Napier eye guaranteed-income 401(k) market
The firm is in preliminary discussions about how an insurance company could put a wrapper around one or more of its funds to provide a source of lifetime income to retirees, said Patrick Cunningham, managing director at the firm...
Investment News: Manning & Napier eye guaranteed-income 401(k) market
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:51 AM
Morning Business Briefs: Audit Is Critical of N.Y. Fed in AIG Bailout
> Tiny Mauritius Tells US To Shove Its Dollar, Buys 2 Metric Tons Of Gold From IMF At $1,115 An Ounce - zerohedge
> Audit Is Critical of N.Y. Fed in AIG Bailout - online.wsj
> On the Outlook for the Economy and Policy - ritholtz
> Record 35.1 Million Foodstamp Recipients Believe Every Word Of Bernanke's Propaganda - zerohedge
> LA Area Port Traffic in October - calculatedriskblog
> Apple’s IPhone to Be China’s No. 1 Smart Phone, Unicom Says - bloomberg
> Meredith Whitney Expects Double-Dip Recession, FDIC dumps "Cease & Desist" - calculatedriskblog
> Moto Droid Off To A Nice Start. But Will It Continue? - businessweek
> TARP Watchdog: AIG Bailout Transferred Billions from Government to Counterparties - calculatedriskblog
> Greg Mankiw's Blog: The Actuary on the House Bill - gregmankiw
> Will the Recovery Leave Small Business Behind? - businessweek
> Neil Barofski's AIG Counterparty Payment Report Released; Demands Federal Reserve Transparency - zerohedge
> Meredith Whitney: "The Market Makes No Sense To Me" - dealbreaker
> Did Bernanke Spark the Rally? - ritholtz
> How the US's Falling Dollar Affects Asia - online.wsj
> Swiss Bank Intervention Time ? - zerohedge
> Getting Robbed at the Office - online.wsj
> Economic Recovery Inspires Innovation and Frustration - businessweek
> Audit Is Critical of N.Y. Fed in AIG Bailout - online.wsj
> On the Outlook for the Economy and Policy - ritholtz
> Record 35.1 Million Foodstamp Recipients Believe Every Word Of Bernanke's Propaganda - zerohedge
> LA Area Port Traffic in October - calculatedriskblog
> Apple’s IPhone to Be China’s No. 1 Smart Phone, Unicom Says - bloomberg
> Meredith Whitney Expects Double-Dip Recession, FDIC dumps "Cease & Desist" - calculatedriskblog
> Moto Droid Off To A Nice Start. But Will It Continue? - businessweek
> TARP Watchdog: AIG Bailout Transferred Billions from Government to Counterparties - calculatedriskblog
> Greg Mankiw's Blog: The Actuary on the House Bill - gregmankiw
> Will the Recovery Leave Small Business Behind? - businessweek
> Neil Barofski's AIG Counterparty Payment Report Released; Demands Federal Reserve Transparency - zerohedge
> Meredith Whitney: "The Market Makes No Sense To Me" - dealbreaker
> Did Bernanke Spark the Rally? - ritholtz
> How the US's Falling Dollar Affects Asia - online.wsj
> Swiss Bank Intervention Time ? - zerohedge
> Getting Robbed at the Office - online.wsj
> Economic Recovery Inspires Innovation and Frustration - businessweek
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:50 AM
Advantage: Index Annuities Are Looking Good
During the 5-year period that ended Sept. 30, index annuities produced higher returns than bank certificates of deposit, and a much higher return than a typical S&P 500 index fund...
National Underwriter: Advantage: Index Annuities Are Looking Good
National Underwriter: Advantage: Index Annuities Are Looking Good
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:37 AM
Good news expected on Sun Life's U.S. business
With Sun Life’s executives preparing to host an investor day in New York Thursday, RBC Capital Markets analyst Andre-Philippe Hardy is telling clients to expect good news... The investor day will focus on the insurer’s U.S. operations, and Mr. Hardy expects two key topics to be on the table: the potential for growth at the company’s U.S. asset-management unit, MFS Investment Management, and sunnier skies for the variable annuity business...
Globe & Mail: Good news expected on Sun Life's U.S. business
Globe & Mail: Good news expected on Sun Life's U.S. business
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:20 AM
Monday, November 16, 2009
Afternoon Links: Tapping The New Home-Buyer Tax Credit
> CONSUMER FINANCE: Tapping The New Home-Buyer Tax Credit - online.wsj
> LA Area Port Traffic in October - calculatedriskblog
> Meet the Entrepreneurs of the Year - businessweek
> Legalizing and Taxing Marijuana - ritholtz
> 80% Of Consumers Say They Would Not Pay For Content - zerohedge
> A Very Busy Day For The Dollar Plunge Enforcement Team - zerohedge
> LA Area Port Traffic in October - calculatedriskblog
> Meet the Entrepreneurs of the Year - businessweek
> Legalizing and Taxing Marijuana - ritholtz
> 80% Of Consumers Say They Would Not Pay For Content - zerohedge
> A Very Busy Day For The Dollar Plunge Enforcement Team - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 1:36 PM
Fidelity teams up with MetLife for annuity sales
* Follows fears of unstable stock portfolios
* Fidelity had suspended sales of own annuity in March
* MetLife bucks trend of falling variable annuity sales
Fidelity Investments and MetLife (MET.N) said on Monday they will team up to sell variable annuities, a notable joint venture at a time when the funds industry and insurers are looking to capitalize on jitters about the stability of retirement savings...
Reuters: Fidelity teams up with MetLife for annuity sales
* Fidelity had suspended sales of own annuity in March
* MetLife bucks trend of falling variable annuity sales
Fidelity Investments and MetLife (MET.N) said on Monday they will team up to sell variable annuities, a notable joint venture at a time when the funds industry and insurers are looking to capitalize on jitters about the stability of retirement savings...
Reuters: Fidelity teams up with MetLife for annuity sales
Permalink posted by markw @ 1:25 PM
Lunch Links: Who is to Blame for the Commercial Real Estate Disaster?
> How A Government Bailout Created Today's Commercial Real Estate Catastrophe - businessinsider
> Retail Sales Increase in October - calculatedriskblog
> The 10 Must-Have Apps For The Serious Investor - businessinsider
> Japanese GDP... 4.8% Growth, but Ugly? - econompicdata
> Another Vytorin Mess For Merck - forbes
> Bernie Madoff auction nets $1M - investmentnews
> Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care Bill - consumerist
> Did Bernanke Spark the Rally? - ritholtz
> Gold $5000+ - ritholtz
> Who is to Blame for the Commercial Real Estate Disaster? - ritholtz
> Retail Sales in the U.S. Increase More Than Forecast - bloomberg
> Market Maker CMC to Use Streambase CEP to Build FX Apps by Wall Street & Technology - wallstreetandtech
> Retail Sales Increase in October - calculatedriskblog
> The 10 Must-Have Apps For The Serious Investor - businessinsider
> Japanese GDP... 4.8% Growth, but Ugly? - econompicdata
> Another Vytorin Mess For Merck - forbes
> Bernie Madoff auction nets $1M - investmentnews
> Biotech Firm Ghostwrote Identical Statements By Congress Critters On Health Care Bill - consumerist
> Did Bernanke Spark the Rally? - ritholtz
> Gold $5000+ - ritholtz
> Who is to Blame for the Commercial Real Estate Disaster? - ritholtz
> Retail Sales in the U.S. Increase More Than Forecast - bloomberg
> Market Maker CMC to Use Streambase CEP to Build FX Apps by Wall Street & Technology - wallstreetandtech
Permalink posted by markw @ 10:02 AM
Dodd bill would make reps fiduciaries
The Senate Banking Committee's plan to overhaul Wall Street has received a cool reception in the brokerage world... [it] eliminates the “broker-dealer exemption” from the adviser registration provisions under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, effectively requiring brokers providing advice to register as advisers and be subject to a fiduciary standard. That standard would be the same applied to advisers and would require them to put the client's interests first...
Investment News: Dodd bill would make reps fiduciaries
Investment News: Dodd bill would make reps fiduciaries
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:37 AM
Morning Business Briefs: Corporate Bankruptcies Slow With Thaw In Lending
> Summary and a Look Ahead - calculatedriskblog
> Internal CNBC Guest Memo Leaked! - ritholtz
> General Electric Pursues Pot of Government Stimulus Gold - online.wsj
> Bristol-Myers to Split Off Mead Johnson Nutrition Co. - online.wsj
> Japan Economy Beats Forecast - online.wsj
> Housing Starts and Vacant Units: No "V" Shaped Recovery - calculatedriskblog
> China Banking Regulator: U.S. Policy Fueling Asset Speculation - calculatedriskblog
> Obama Gets Earful on 5-City Economic Road Show: William Pesek - bloomberg
> Exclusive: A Forensic Reconstruction Of Goldman's Proprietary Trading Detail Throughout 2008 - zerohedge
> IMF: China Needs Stronger Currency - calculatedriskblog
> A New Tax a Day, and Medicare Could be Next - online.wsj
> Junk In, Investment Grade Out: FAQs About Credit Rating Agencies - zerohedge
> Words from the investment wise 11.15.09 - ritholtz
> Corporate Bankruptcies Slow With Thaw In Lending - globaleconomicanalysis
> Roubini: The Worst Is Yet To Come! - businessinsider
> Internal CNBC Guest Memo Leaked! - ritholtz
> General Electric Pursues Pot of Government Stimulus Gold - online.wsj
> Bristol-Myers to Split Off Mead Johnson Nutrition Co. - online.wsj
> Japan Economy Beats Forecast - online.wsj
> Housing Starts and Vacant Units: No "V" Shaped Recovery - calculatedriskblog
> China Banking Regulator: U.S. Policy Fueling Asset Speculation - calculatedriskblog
> Obama Gets Earful on 5-City Economic Road Show: William Pesek - bloomberg
> Exclusive: A Forensic Reconstruction Of Goldman's Proprietary Trading Detail Throughout 2008 - zerohedge
> IMF: China Needs Stronger Currency - calculatedriskblog
> A New Tax a Day, and Medicare Could be Next - online.wsj
> Junk In, Investment Grade Out: FAQs About Credit Rating Agencies - zerohedge
> Words from the investment wise 11.15.09 - ritholtz
> Corporate Bankruptcies Slow With Thaw In Lending - globaleconomicanalysis
> Roubini: The Worst Is Yet To Come! - businessinsider
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:41 AM
A Lack of Rigor Costs MBIA
MBIA, the financial insurance company, used to hold itself out as a paragon of hard work and number crunching... "Each transaction guaranteed by MBIA needs to pass a rigorous underwriting process proving no losses will arise under the worst probable case scenario," the company said in a typical investor presentation just three years ago.
It added that its payouts for claims over 32 years came to less than $10,000 a year for every $100 million of insurance it wrote... "We expect," the company added, "to remain at that level or better."
That expectation was wrong...
NYT: A Lack of Rigor Costs MBIA
It added that its payouts for claims over 32 years came to less than $10,000 a year for every $100 million of insurance it wrote... "We expect," the company added, "to remain at that level or better."
That expectation was wrong...
NYT: A Lack of Rigor Costs MBIA
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:35 AM
Gold price rockets as dollar weakens
The price of gold hit a new peak last week, rising above $1100 (£659) an ounce as the dollar weakened... Towards the end of the week it was still up about the $1116 mark, and industry commentators suggested several possible reasons for the commodity’s sudden $20 jump.
The leaders of the G20 countries had met over the previous weekend and pledged to continue with their fiscal stimulus measures. Emerging markets, including India have been adding to their gold reserves, and developed currencies continued to weaken, with the dollar sliding against the euro, which could all have been upward drivers of the gold price...
Fund Strategy: Gold price rockets as dollar weakens
The leaders of the G20 countries had met over the previous weekend and pledged to continue with their fiscal stimulus measures. Emerging markets, including India have been adding to their gold reserves, and developed currencies continued to weaken, with the dollar sliding against the euro, which could all have been upward drivers of the gold price...
Fund Strategy: Gold price rockets as dollar weakens
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:26 AM
Friday, November 13, 2009
Afternoon Links: U.S. Economy: Consumer Sentiment Falls as Unemployment Mounts
> My Nightmare Interviews With Google (GOOG) - businessinsider
> How I...Put Myself Out There - online.wsj
> Private Equity in China: Blackstone and Others May Grab the Money, Miss the Best Opportunities - seekingalpha
> Obama Warns World Not To Rely On US Consumers Any More - zerohedge
> Housing Starts and the Unemployment Rate - calculatedriskblog
> Social Networking: Facebook Invades Xbox Next Week, PS3 Eventually - consumerist
> "If You're Not Embarrassed By The First Version Of Your Product, You’ve Launched Too Late" - businessinsider
> Chinese Companies Move To Mexico In Search Of Lower Costs - businessinsider
> U.S. Economy: Consumer Sentiment Falls as Unemployment Mounts - bloomberg
> How I...Put Myself Out There - online.wsj
> Private Equity in China: Blackstone and Others May Grab the Money, Miss the Best Opportunities - seekingalpha
> Obama Warns World Not To Rely On US Consumers Any More - zerohedge
> Housing Starts and the Unemployment Rate - calculatedriskblog
> Social Networking: Facebook Invades Xbox Next Week, PS3 Eventually - consumerist
> "If You're Not Embarrassed By The First Version Of Your Product, You’ve Launched Too Late" - businessinsider
> Chinese Companies Move To Mexico In Search Of Lower Costs - businessinsider
> U.S. Economy: Consumer Sentiment Falls as Unemployment Mounts - bloomberg
Permalink posted by markw @ 12:51 PM
Insurance Agents Say Small Businesses Lose With House Health Bill
The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America are “greatly disappointed” with the public option. --- One group not happy with the House version of health-care reform is the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIBA), the Insurance Journal reports. The group particularly does not like the public option, tax increases, making small businesses provide health insurance (or pay penalties), and a nonprofit grant program for health insurance counseling...
NACS Online: Insurance Agents Say Small Businesses Lose With House Health Bill
NACS Online: Insurance Agents Say Small Businesses Lose With House Health Bill
Permalink posted by markw @ 11:12 AM
Lunch Links: Treasury Confident Congress Will Increase Debt Ceiling
> Hubbert Peak Theory of Oil Rock - ritholtz
> Trade Deficit Increases in September - calculatedriskblog
> U.S. Treasury Confident Congress Will Increase Debt Ceiling - bloomberg
> Dodd: Shareholders Should Nominate Boards Directly - ritholtz
> Consumer Confidence Plunges to 66 From 70.6, Huge Miss To Consensus Expectation Of 71 - zerohedge
> InterContinental Says Revenue Increase Not Likely Before 2011 - bloomberg
> The Euro Zone grows again - ritholtz
> AMG Reports Record Taxable Bond Inflows Of $315 Billion Year To Date - zerohedge
> Trade Deficit Increases in September - calculatedriskblog
> U.S. Treasury Confident Congress Will Increase Debt Ceiling - bloomberg
> Dodd: Shareholders Should Nominate Boards Directly - ritholtz
> Consumer Confidence Plunges to 66 From 70.6, Huge Miss To Consensus Expectation Of 71 - zerohedge
> InterContinental Says Revenue Increase Not Likely Before 2011 - bloomberg
> The Euro Zone grows again - ritholtz
> AMG Reports Record Taxable Bond Inflows Of $315 Billion Year To Date - zerohedge
Permalink posted by markw @ 8:56 AM
Radio Interview: New Study Compares Men’s and Women’s Investment Performance
Men and women tend to have different estimations of their investing ability, with men considering themselves fairly adept but women calling themselves beginners. As a result, the financial services world has tended to treat male clients more deferentially. But a new survey of male and female investors finds that, while women don’t give themselves credit for skills, their performance equals that of men...
Financial Planning: Radio Interview: New Study Compares Men’s and Women’s Investment Performance
Financial Planning: Radio Interview: New Study Compares Men’s and Women’s Investment Performance
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:33 AM
Morning News Brief: Unemployment Projections Through 2020: Grim
> Digital Media and the Future of Advertising - seekingalpha
> Goldman On Why A Second Stimulus Is Merely Months Away - zerohedge
> Auto Leasing Returns as Production Cuts Boost Used-Car Prices - bloomberg
> Financial Lessons From the Meltdown - ritholtz
> TARP Inspector General: Taxpayers to suffer Losses - calculatedriskblog
> PIMCO, AllianceBernstein Face Over Half A Billion In Calpers Redemptions; Weakness For High Yield Market Approaching - zerohedge
> The Next Stimulus Package - calculatedriskblog
> Mish Unemployment Projections Through 2020 - It Looks Grim - globaleconomicanalysis
> Home-Purchase Index Plunges - ritholtz
> AP CEO to Staff: Sorry, We're Going To Keep Firing You - businessinsider
> Bad CRE, Rotten Home Loans, and the End of US Banking Prominence? - zerohedge
> Why Compel Young Adults to Buy Health Insurance They Don't Need and Don't Want? - mjperry
> ‘New Normal’ For Unemployment? - angrybear
> TARP: ‘Almost Certainly’ A Money Loser - ritholtz
> China Exports by State - ritholtz
> Goldman On Why A Second Stimulus Is Merely Months Away - zerohedge
> Auto Leasing Returns as Production Cuts Boost Used-Car Prices - bloomberg
> Financial Lessons From the Meltdown - ritholtz
> TARP Inspector General: Taxpayers to suffer Losses - calculatedriskblog
> PIMCO, AllianceBernstein Face Over Half A Billion In Calpers Redemptions; Weakness For High Yield Market Approaching - zerohedge
> The Next Stimulus Package - calculatedriskblog
> Mish Unemployment Projections Through 2020 - It Looks Grim - globaleconomicanalysis
> Home-Purchase Index Plunges - ritholtz
> AP CEO to Staff: Sorry, We're Going To Keep Firing You - businessinsider
> Bad CRE, Rotten Home Loans, and the End of US Banking Prominence? - zerohedge
> Why Compel Young Adults to Buy Health Insurance They Don't Need and Don't Want? - mjperry
> ‘New Normal’ For Unemployment? - angrybear
> TARP: ‘Almost Certainly’ A Money Loser - ritholtz
> China Exports by State - ritholtz
Permalink posted by markw @ 5:03 AM
Insurers Find China a Tough Nut to Crack
When insurer AIA moved back into its gray stone colonial headquarters on Shanghai's waterfront Bund in 1998, it marked the return of foreign insurance companies to China after their ejection nearly five decades earlier. Since then the floodgates have opened as Cigna (CI), AXA (AXA), Allianz (AZ), and dozens more have set up shop on the mainland, aiming to tap a market of 1.3 billion people with few options for life insurance.
As it turns out, their optimism may have been overblown...
Business Week: Insurers Find China a Tough Nut to Crack
As it turns out, their optimism may have been overblown...
Business Week: Insurers Find China a Tough Nut to Crack
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:45 AM
Would-be buyers study ING insurance
ING Group's decision to split off its insurance business is attracting a lot of interest, and a decision about the units could come as early as the end of the year, the company's chief executive said Wednesday... The company originally said the divestiture of the insurance businesses, which includes ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Co. in Des Moines, should be completed in the next four years. But Wednesday's comments suggest a speedier timeline...
Des Moines Register: Would-be buyers study ING insurance
Des Moines Register: Would-be buyers study ING insurance
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:43 AM
Brainshark Launches 'Brainshark Insurance Network' For Life Insurance Carriers and Their Distribution Channels
Leading Carriers Including American National Insurance, American General Life, Jackson National Life, Lincoln Benefit Life, Liberty National Life and United American Insurance Use the Network to Equip Their Channel Partners with On-Demand Sales, Marketing -- Brainshark, Inc... today announced the launch of the Brainshark Insurance Network, a central site where life insurance carriers can equip and empower their distribution channels with on-demand, voice-enriched presentations for product education and marketing outreach...
SysCon: Brainshark Launches 'Brainshark Insurance Network' For Life Insurance Carriers and Their Distribution Channels
SysCon: Brainshark Launches 'Brainshark Insurance Network' For Life Insurance Carriers and Their Distribution Channels
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:26 AM
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Progressive Corp: Direct Auto Insurance Prices Up 1% In 2009
Auto insurer Progressive Corp. (PGR) has raised its auto insurance rates slightly for policies sold through agents and directly to consumers, but drivers are still paying a bit less overall, mostly by cutting their coverage or by driving older cars... Progressive said Wednesday that it is seeing signs of the continued recession as drivers buy auto insurance, and possibly in an increase in the number of claims made for personal injury protection after an auto accident...
WSJ: Progressive Corp: Direct Auto Insurance Prices Up 1% In 2009
WSJ: Progressive Corp: Direct Auto Insurance Prices Up 1% In 2009
Permalink posted by markw @ 2:17 PM
Afternoon News Briefs: The Poverty Trap
> It's Harder To Get A Job At The Apple Store Than It Is To Get Into Harvard (AAPL) - businessinsider
> The Poverty Trap - gregmankiw
> Federal Reserve: Starting July 1, 2010 Overdraft Fees Will Require Consumer Consent - consumerist
> The World's Most Insane Vending Machines - businessinsider
> Home-Purchase Index in U.S. Plunges to Lowest Level Since 2000 - bloomberg
> WSJ.com Economic Forecasting: Rate Increases Near Elections - online.wsj
> MBA: Purchase Applications Fall to Nine Year Low - calculatedriskblog
> The Global Oil Scam: 50 Times Bigger than Madoff - seekingalpha
> Guest Post: Goldman’s Global Oil Scam Passes the 50 Madoff Mark - zerohedge
> The Richest Members Of Congress - businessinsider
> Banks Are Getting Desperate With Principal Reduction Offers - ritholtz
> Goldman's Complete Presentation And Transcript From The Merrill Lynch Financial Services Conference - zerohedge
> Hotel RevPAR off 11.8 Percent - calculatedriskblog
> Keepin It Real Estate: Trial Modifications Are Criminal - minyanville
> Registered Rep Webcast: “Coffee Break” - ritholtz
> Can You Find “Superior Information” About Markets? - ritholtz
> HR3962 as Passed: the importance of close reading ~ Angry Bear - angrybear
> Bill Gates Thinks You Make Too Much Money - dealbreaker
> The Poverty Trap - gregmankiw
> Federal Reserve: Starting July 1, 2010 Overdraft Fees Will Require Consumer Consent - consumerist
> The World's Most Insane Vending Machines - businessinsider
> Home-Purchase Index in U.S. Plunges to Lowest Level Since 2000 - bloomberg
> WSJ.com Economic Forecasting: Rate Increases Near Elections - online.wsj
> MBA: Purchase Applications Fall to Nine Year Low - calculatedriskblog
> The Global Oil Scam: 50 Times Bigger than Madoff - seekingalpha
> Guest Post: Goldman’s Global Oil Scam Passes the 50 Madoff Mark - zerohedge
> The Richest Members Of Congress - businessinsider
> Banks Are Getting Desperate With Principal Reduction Offers - ritholtz
> Goldman's Complete Presentation And Transcript From The Merrill Lynch Financial Services Conference - zerohedge
> Hotel RevPAR off 11.8 Percent - calculatedriskblog
> Keepin It Real Estate: Trial Modifications Are Criminal - minyanville
> Registered Rep Webcast: “Coffee Break” - ritholtz
> Can You Find “Superior Information” About Markets? - ritholtz
> HR3962 as Passed: the importance of close reading ~ Angry Bear - angrybear
> Bill Gates Thinks You Make Too Much Money - dealbreaker
Permalink posted by markw @ 1:21 PM
MetLife’s Simple VA to Launch Through Bank Platform Programs
Finally, a variable annuity that even a platform rep can love. Advisors have long complained that the complexity of variable annuities and the constantly changing features made them difficult to sell. As a result where bank advisors sold them at all, only Series 7 reps did so for compliance reasons... But Metlife’s Simple Solutions variable annuity, which launched last July, starts selling through Series 6 licensed platform reps this month...
Financial Planning: MetLife’s Simple VA to Launch Through Bank Platform Programs
Financial Planning: MetLife’s Simple VA to Launch Through Bank Platform Programs
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:48 AM
New York Life Tweaks its Distribution Strategy
New York Life has added three hybrid wholesalers to its retirement income security group, which sells mutual funds, annuities and guaranteed income products... [bringing] the total wholesaler count at RIS to 63...
Mutual Fund Wire: New York Life Tweaks its Distribution Strategy
Mutual Fund Wire: New York Life Tweaks its Distribution Strategy
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:46 AM
Morning Business Briefs: $1.5 Million In Blatant Insider Trading Profit Following 3Com Acquisition
> H-P to Acquire 3Com for $2.7 Billion - online.wsj
> Twitter's New Re-Tweeting Function Solves A Problem That Didn't Exist - businessinsider
> Recession Drives More Women Into the Work Force - online.wsj
> Watching TV on Your Xbox - online.wsj
> $1.5 Million In Blatant Insider Trading Profit Following 3Com Acquisition - zerohedge
> Karl Rove: 'A Referendum on This White House' - online.wsj
> Flying With the Ultimate Travel Junkies - online.wsj
> Why Apple Leaves Low-End Computers to the Competition - businessweek
> Find Flu Vaccine: Quickly Find Nearby Flu Vaccines With Google Maps - consumerist
> Taiwan Billionaires Send Cash Home as Currency Climbs - bloomberg
> Playboy Says Woman Is Not The Lawyer Of Love - businessinsider
> States' Deplorable Fiscal Situation Betrays True State Of The Economy Stripped Of Stimulus - zerohedge
> Cash-Strapped School Is Actually Selling Higher Grades To Its Students - businessinsider
> FHA Temporarily Relaxes Condo Rules - calculatedriskblog
> Bloomberg Can Cut BusinessWeek Staff And Not Pay Severance (MHP) - businessinsider
> Twitter's New Re-Tweeting Function Solves A Problem That Didn't Exist - businessinsider
> Recession Drives More Women Into the Work Force - online.wsj
> Watching TV on Your Xbox - online.wsj
> $1.5 Million In Blatant Insider Trading Profit Following 3Com Acquisition - zerohedge
> Karl Rove: 'A Referendum on This White House' - online.wsj
> Flying With the Ultimate Travel Junkies - online.wsj
> Why Apple Leaves Low-End Computers to the Competition - businessweek
> Find Flu Vaccine: Quickly Find Nearby Flu Vaccines With Google Maps - consumerist
> Taiwan Billionaires Send Cash Home as Currency Climbs - bloomberg
> Playboy Says Woman Is Not The Lawyer Of Love - businessinsider
> States' Deplorable Fiscal Situation Betrays True State Of The Economy Stripped Of Stimulus - zerohedge
> Cash-Strapped School Is Actually Selling Higher Grades To Its Students - businessinsider
> FHA Temporarily Relaxes Condo Rules - calculatedriskblog
> Bloomberg Can Cut BusinessWeek Staff And Not Pay Severance (MHP) - businessinsider
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:44 AM
Citi Cuts Low Producers, Forces Others Into Teams
Bank jettisons advisors who can’t adapt to fee-based model -- As part of a massive restructuring of its investment unit, Citibank laid off 75 predominantly lower-producing advisors, mostly in New York and California, according to Citi spokesperson Alexander Samuelson. Citi had 600 advisors before the layoffs...
The bank is implementing a two-tier system, including an automated commission-based service for mass-affluent clients and a registered-investment-advisor style, fee-only service model for high-net-worth customers...
On Wall Street: Citi Cuts Low Producers, Forces Others Into Teams
The bank is implementing a two-tier system, including an automated commission-based service for mass-affluent clients and a registered-investment-advisor style, fee-only service model for high-net-worth customers...
On Wall Street: Citi Cuts Low Producers, Forces Others Into Teams
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:44 AM
ING Split to Offer Chance to Buy in Emerging Markets
ING Groep NV’s decision to split off 12 billion euros ($18 billion) of insurance businesses is likely to have competitors jostling for its units in emerging markets on three continents, analysts said...
Bloomberg: ING Split to Offer Chance to Buy in Emerging Markets
Bloomberg: ING Split to Offer Chance to Buy in Emerging Markets
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:41 AM
Charity Bankruptcy Leaves Many Donors in Distress
A CAUTIONARY tale for donors who entered into two time-tested, long-term giving arrangements — charitable gift annuities and donor-advised funds — has emerged from bankruptcy court... At the National Heritage Foundation, 9,000 donor-advised funds totaling $25 million in value were wiped out...
NYT: Charity Bankruptcy Leaves Many Donors in Distress
NYT: Charity Bankruptcy Leaves Many Donors in Distress
Permalink posted by markw @ 4:26 AM
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Afternoon Links: STILL the most important sentence in the House HC Bill
> AIG CEO Says He's 'Committed' to Leading Insurer - online.wsj
> Unsolicited Principal Reduction Offer from BofA - calculatedriskblog
> A Review of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 - online.wsj
> STILL the most important sentence in the House HC Bill ~ Angry Bear - angrybear
> Sound Money Candidates Running For Congress - globaleconomicanalysis
> Unsolicited Principal Reduction Offer from BofA - calculatedriskblog
> A Review of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 - online.wsj
> STILL the most important sentence in the House HC Bill ~ Angry Bear - angrybear
> Sound Money Candidates Running For Congress - globaleconomicanalysis
Permalink posted by markw @ 1:33 PM
Dodd's financial reform bill would eliminate the ‘broker-dealer exemption'
Legislation would give SEC authority to allow principal trades
Brokers who provide investment advice would no longer be exempt from registering as investment advisers under draft legislation unveiled today by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Conn...
Investment News: Dodd's financial reform bill would eliminate the ‘broker-dealer exemption'
Brokers who provide investment advice would no longer be exempt from registering as investment advisers under draft legislation unveiled today by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Conn...
Investment News: Dodd's financial reform bill would eliminate the ‘broker-dealer exemption'
Permalink posted by markw @ 10:54 AM
Morning Headlines: New Rules and More Lies Hide Cancerous Commercial Real Estate Loans
> New Rules and More Lies Hide Cancerous Commercial Real Estate Loans - globaleconomicanalysis
> Apple's iPhone Operating Profit Beats Nokia For The First Time (NOK, AAPL) - businessinsider
> Twitter's New Re-Tweeting Function Solves A Problem That Didn't Exist - businessinsider
> More Job Seekers Scramble to Erase Their Criminal Past - online.wsj
> California Controller: Overview of the Commercial Property Markets - calculatedriskblog
> Apple Surpasses Nokia as Most Profitable in Handsets (Correct) - bloomberg
> Counterparty Risk: The Mortgage Insurers - calculatedriskblog
> Xbox's Natal To Launch With 5 Million Units, 14 Games (MSFT, NTDOY) - businessinsider
> The U.S. Lunatic Asylum (i.e., Economy) Is Facing Approximately $15 Trillion In Roll Risk By 2012 - zerohedge
> Small Business Owners on Economy: 'Good News Is Still Less Bad News' - seekingalpha
> Obama Receives New Afghan Option - online.wsj
> Apple Surpasses Nokia as Most Profitable in Handsets - bloomberg
> Orange County: Foreclosure Notices Hit Record High - calculatedriskblog
> Loan Modifications: Key Numbers not Released - calculatedriskblog
> Want to Boost the Economy? Help Entrepreneurs - businessweek
> Insurance: 10 Strategies To Lower Your Auto Insurance - consumerist
> Apple's iPhone Operating Profit Beats Nokia For The First Time (NOK, AAPL) - businessinsider
> Twitter's New Re-Tweeting Function Solves A Problem That Didn't Exist - businessinsider
> More Job Seekers Scramble to Erase Their Criminal Past - online.wsj
> California Controller: Overview of the Commercial Property Markets - calculatedriskblog
> Apple Surpasses Nokia as Most Profitable in Handsets (Correct) - bloomberg
> Counterparty Risk: The Mortgage Insurers - calculatedriskblog
> Xbox's Natal To Launch With 5 Million Units, 14 Games (MSFT, NTDOY) - businessinsider
> The U.S. Lunatic Asylum (i.e., Economy) Is Facing Approximately $15 Trillion In Roll Risk By 2012 - zerohedge
> Small Business Owners on Economy: 'Good News Is Still Less Bad News' - seekingalpha
> Obama Receives New Afghan Option - online.wsj
> Apple Surpasses Nokia as Most Profitable in Handsets - bloomberg
> Orange County: Foreclosure Notices Hit Record High - calculatedriskblog
> Loan Modifications: Key Numbers not Released - calculatedriskblog
> Want to Boost the Economy? Help Entrepreneurs - businessweek
> Insurance: 10 Strategies To Lower Your Auto Insurance - consumerist
Permalink posted by markw @ 9:57 AM
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Evening Headlines: Economic Declines and State Tax Revenues
> From Twitter to TV: 'S--t My Dad Says' Lands Sitcom Deal (CBS) - businessinsider
> Dorothy Rabinowitz: Dr. Phil and the Fort Hood Killer - online.wsj
> Economic Declines and State Tax Revenues (1964- 2009) - ritholtz
> Fed's Lockhart on CRE and Small Business - calculatedriskblog
> Congratulations You're A Criminal: Never Follow A Security Guard Into The Back Of The Store - consumerist
> Counterparty Risk: The Mortgage Insurers - calculatedriskblog
> How To Keep Your Amazing Employees - businessinsider
> Peter Costa: "The US Government Will Be Totally Bankrupt In A Year And A Half" - zerohedge
> Loan Modifications: Key Numbers not Released - calculatedriskblog
> Dorothy Rabinowitz: Dr. Phil and the Fort Hood Killer - online.wsj
> Economic Declines and State Tax Revenues (1964- 2009) - ritholtz
> Fed's Lockhart on CRE and Small Business - calculatedriskblog
> Congratulations You're A Criminal: Never Follow A Security Guard Into The Back Of The Store - consumerist
> Counterparty Risk: The Mortgage Insurers - calculatedriskblog
> How To Keep Your Amazing Employees - businessinsider
> Peter Costa: "The US Government Will Be Totally Bankrupt In A Year And A Half" - zerohedge
> Loan Modifications: Key Numbers not Released - calculatedriskblog
Permalink posted by markw @ 2:38 PM
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