Financial News Headlines

Star Princess tests Argentine blockade in Falklands

February 20th, 2010

Her decks boast sun loungers and golf simulators rather than machine guns and torpedoes, while those on board are more likely to be sipping G&Ts than rehearsing military drills.

But today a British cruise ship is leading the charge in the latest stand-off over the Falklands, as it sails towards the harbour at Port Stanley in the first major test of Argentine resolve.

Last week the Argentine government, in response to a British company’s planned exploration of oilfields off the Falkland coast, decreed that all ships travelling between Argentina and the Falklands must be granted permission from the Argentine government.

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Recession over for UK

February 20th, 2010

It was announced last week that the UK has finally come out of recession. All of the other major economies had already come out of recession, with the UK left lagging behind but following the release of recent figures the UK has now joined the other countries that have at last shaken off the recession and can now start looking forward.

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Arrests in Midland, TX real estate fraud allegations.

February 19th, 2010

In the following press release the Midland (TX) Police Department announced that its White Collar Division is in the final stages of an investigation involving several citizens who were defrauded by people who purchased residences from them under false pretences.

The citizens found out that the business was not making payments on mortgages as was their original agreement, placing them further into debt – a type of real estate fraud.

Jason Morrison and Marcus Rosenberg with Vanguard Properties purchased homes from unsuspecting victims, four persons, who are now close to foreclosure on their homes.

  
Courtesy CBS 7 News                                   Courtesy of NewsWest 9

On February 11, 2009, warrants were issued for Morrison (3-08-76) and Rosenberg (3-25-76) for Securing Execution of Document by Deception. Morrison was arrested on February 1

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Debt Management: Three Questions for Conquering Debt

February 18th, 2010

For those bearing the burden of credit card debt, how you approach the problem can affect your ability to get out of debt and maintain your finances using cash instead of credit.

Debt Management: Understanding the Path from There to Here

Until the economy went south, you could visit many middle class neighborhoods and see neatly kept homes with amenities including lawn services and pool attendants; garages and driveways were full of late model luxury vehicles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles. All of these things cost money, but few of us were buying them with cash; we took out home equity loans or refinanced our mortgages to get the cash for our purchases.

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Can Google Buzz teach insurers a few lessons about social networking?

February 17th, 2010

Google tends to get a lot of press simply because it’s Google, although it’s fair to say it’s got a few things wrong with some of it’s products – anyone remember Orkut, or all the hype around Google Wave? One thing is certain Google has got a lot right about its launch of Google Buzz. This may be particularly interesting as some insurers and financial advice web sites move to create their own social networks. Let’s examine first what Google got right and then what we can learn from where they went wrong.

Firstly, and I think this is key, Google leveraged an existing network. Google Buzz is built on Google Mail. This immediately gives a population of customers. In addition

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Planners seek CEO

February 17th, 2010

Recruiters are expected to begin an international search today for a replacement for Jo-Anne Bloch, who has resigned as CEO of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

FPA Chairman Julie Berry does not expect anyone to be in place by Easter when Ms Bloch leaves.

“When you consider that we recruited Jo-Anne from the UK I’d say the search is likely to go as wide as is necessary,” Ms Berry told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Ms Bloch, who has been CEO since 2006, will take up a new role in May as Member Services and Advice Leader at international consulting, outsourcing and investments firm Mercer in Australia.

Ironically, she was recruited to replace Kerrie Kelly, who switched to the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) as CEO and recently took up a new post as Director-General of the Association of British Insurers. ICA l

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