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Microlending program builds on Nobel work
Source: Inside Track
Jan 21, 2009 7:36 am
Building on the work of a Nobel Prize-winning banker, Miami’s Union Credit Bank has launched a microlending program designed to help low-income customers expand a cottage business, consolidate debt or simply construct a credit history.
As big banks disintegrate, time for a new plan
Source: Times
Jan 21, 2009 7:12 am
Wake up and good morning. That crackling sound you hear ever louder is the bonfire consuming our largest banking companies. Yesterday's stock market debacle, in which many of the biggest banks most prominent in Florida lost close to one quarter...
Fannie Mae: Renters won't be pitched from repossessed foreclosure homes
Source: Times
Jan 20, 2009 3:50 pm
With government becoming as bloated as that blueberry-colored girl from the Willy Wonka movie, I suppose it's no longer a shock that Fannie Mae is becoming a landlady. The government-backed mortgage company has announced that renters occupying single…
Should the state keep Citizens' insurance rates frozen?
Source: Sun-Sentinel
Jan 20, 2009 1:45 pm
Sen. Mike Fasano is drafting a bill that would extend a freeze on Citizens Property Insurance Corp. rates. "With the current economic condition that so many people find themselves in, Sen. Fasano felt this was really not the time to authorize Citize…
Make way for smaller homes
Source: Sun-Sentinel
Jan 20, 2009 1:39 pm
In this era of economic turmoil, builders are scaling back home sizes, reports USA Today. Smaller homes mean cheaper homes. Fewer people want the responsibility of a big home as the economy tanks and prices plummet. Interestingly, buyers are less …
Feeling like a sweepstakes winner? Be careful
Source: Sun-Sentinel
Jan 20, 2009 11:20 am
Everybody's pocket is feeling pinched today, so wouldn't it be great to win a sweepstakes cash prize?While there are legit enterprises, you better believe the bad guys are working to make you a chump and walk away with your cash...
Media General to suspend 401(k) matching
Source: Times
Jan 20, 2009 9:30 am
Richmond, Va.-based Media General Inc., the parent company of the Tampa Tribune and Tampa's WFLA-Channel 8 NBC affiliate, in April will suspend its contribution to employee 401(k) retirement plans because of what the company called extremely tough bu…
OSG America CEO Whitworth out, Itkin in
Source: Times
Jan 20, 2009 8:05 am
Jonathan Whitworth is out as CEO of OSG America. We best know Whitworth as the former head of Tampa-based tugboat/barge business Maritrans Inc., who agreed in 2006 to a $455-million takeover offer from Overseas Shipholding Group. Whitworth was named …
Lehman releases part of loan so developer can donate land for charter school
Source: Inside Track
Jan 20, 2009 7:37 am
With a little help from bankrupt Lehman Brothers Holdings, WSG Development has made good on a two-year-old promise to donate land for Charter Schools USA’s four-story school project in downtown Hollywood.
Verdicts & Settlements: Attorneys win $1.75 million verdict for Good Samaritans hit by car
Source: Inside Track
Jan 20, 2009 7:37 am
The plaintiffs argued the driver was under the influence of amphetamines and antidepressants at the time of the accident.
Justice report levels criticism on Acosta
Source: Inside Track
Jan 20, 2009 7:36 am
Just as he’s about to end his tenure as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Alex Acosta’s old job as the head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division is coming back to haunt him.
Florida Bar summit addressed need to keep fees in justice system
Source: Inside Track
Jan 20, 2009 7:36 am
A court funding summit offered many of the usual maxims about the need for budget solutions — speakers trotted out the shopworn cliche “thinking outside the box” at least three times.
More employees stay put in down economy
Source: Inside Track
Jan 20, 2009 7:35 am
The sputtering economy seems to have slowed the departure of employees at state-run legal agencies accustomed to frequent turnover.
Tiny Tampa's T3 argues antitrust vs. IBM
Source: Times
Jan 20, 2009 6:53 am
Wake up and good morning. Maybe it's coincidence, but isn't it interesting that a tiny private Tampa company that deals in mainframe computers (remember mainframes?) is filing an antitrust complaint (remember those?) in Europe today -- inauguration d…
Feeling like a sweepstakes winner? Be careful
Source: Sun-Sentinel
Jan 20, 2009 6:20 am
Everybody's pocket is feeling pinched today, so wouldn't it be great to win a sweepstakes cash prize?I can't say for sure, but in the past several months I have come across lots of these offers. And while there are legit...
Disney outsources business centers at convention hotels
Source: Sentinel
Jan 20, 2009 5:37 am
Walt Disney World this month finalized a deal to outsource document- and package-handling in its convention hotels. Disney's contract with Ikon Office Solutions calls for this Malvern, Pa.-based company to operate business centers and handle packages…
U.S. Green Building Council to open local chapter
Source: Herald Tribune
Jan 19, 2009 4:53 pm
The U.S. Green Building Council will establish a Florida Gulf Coast Chapter in February, said architect Michael Carlson, of Carlson Studio Architecture, who will chair the steering committee for the new branch.
Amid rough economy, Gatorland sees big attendance growth
Source: Sentinel
Jan 19, 2009 1:44 pm
The country's economy is struggling, but at least one local attraction says it is performing better than ever. Gatorland President and Chief Executive Officer Mark McHugh said today that the 60-year-old theme park and wildlife preserve is experiencin…
Report: Busch Entertainment sale could fetch $4 billion -- if financing is available; Disney, Universal could be 'strategic bidders'
Source: Sentinel
Jan 19, 2009 9:06 am
A report last week in London's Financial Times says potential bidders are preparing for the auctioning off of SeaWorld Orlando-parent Busch Entertainment Corp. The report, which cites an unnamed person "familiar with the planned sale of Busch Enterta…
FBI joins Nadel hunt as details trickle out
Source: Times
Jan 19, 2009 3:29 am
No, missing Sarasota money manager Art Nadel (nor his missing $350-million in investor funds) has not been found yet, but the FBI reportedly is now involved in the search. And the growing impact of investors and Sarasota institutions that are...
Sink Tackles Schemes Against Seniors
Source: Post
Jan 18, 2009 5:23 pm
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has been highlighting the growing problem of seniors being victimized by deceptive annuity sales practices and other financial schemes through community meetings in West Palm Beach and around the stat…
Nadel search is on, fleeced investors emerge
Source: Times
Jan 18, 2009 8:39 am
Where in the world is Sarasota money manager Art Nadel? The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports Sunday that Nadel has not been seen since Wednesday, the day before other fund managers admitted to customers that their money, totaling some $350-million, wa…
Sarasota money manager Art Nadel is missing
Source: Times
Jan 16, 2009 6:52 pm
Hey investors! Anybody got money tied up with Valhalla Management in Sarasota? On Friday, CNBC reported Florida money manager Art Nadel, who works for Valhalla Management, is missing. Nadel's wife, Peg, confirmed to CNBC he is missing but would not..…
Free HBO (for some of you) in honor of Obama Inauguration
Source: Herald
Jan 16, 2009 5:22 pm
If you have digital cable, you'll be able to watch the Sunday Inaugural celebrations for free on HBO. Here are the details on what is offered from South Florida's cable providers: COMCAST: Comcast digital and online customers get free HBO...
Sweetbay closing seven stores, opening three
Source: Times
Jan 16, 2009 4:18 pm
Tampa-based Sweetbay Supermarket will close seven underperforming grocery stores, including three in Hillsborough County, said the company's Belgian parent, Delhaize Group. The remaining four stores targeted for closing are in Fort Myers, Sarasota an…