Quest CE Launches Compliance Training for Investment Advisers

Quest Continuing Education Solutions (Quest CE) is proud to announce a new product line-up to meet Investment Adviser’s Compliance Training Needs. Since 1986 Quest CE has built a reputation of being the premier provider of Compliance Education Training to the financial services industry including insurance professionals and FINRA regulated Broker/Dealers. Quest is now able to address the regulations and requirements that face the Investment Adviser world.

Quest CE’s comprehensive Investment Adviser Training Program allows advisers to complete essential training through a cost-effective one-stop easy to use program. The Investment Adviser Compliance Training program enhances advisers’ ability to provide investment advice to clients, protecting the client, adviser and firm.

Courses include:

• Anti-Fraud Programs and Controls
• Anti-Money Laundering and the Red Flags Rule
• Investment Adviser Client Suitability
• Information Security Protecting You, Your Clients and Your Firm
• Investment Adviser Code of Ethics

Complete Investment Adviser Compliance Training Packages start at $25.00 with individual courses starting at $10.00.

Content
Our courses are delivered through interesting and interactive self-paced online presentations. All of our courses use images and manageable page lengths to enhance the learning experience and make compliance enjoyable.

Compliance Tracking
Quest also offers a complete suite of compliance tracking tools including:

• Outside Business Activities
• Gifts and Entertainment
• Political Contributions

Professional Designation & Insurance Training
Quest CE is a Nationally Approved Provider of Insurance Continuing Education (Insurance CE). Each year we deliver over 150,000 insurance CE courses. Complete state CE packages start at $29.95 with individual courses starting at $12.95.

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Abacus Financial Continues to Expand In Uncertain Economy

Abacus Financial, the national expert in the resolution of distressed commercial real estate borrowers and operating companies is extending its purchasing campaign at an unprecedented pace. Having acquired and sold hundreds of apartment, industrial, office, hospitality, warehouse, single family residential and retail properties in the last 30 years, Abacus knows the ups and downs of real estate cycles and is uniquely positioned to help property owners and investors out of their negative equity predicament.

While countless real estate operating companies and investors are faced with maturing loans and the worst real estate market in decades, Abacus is actively seeking to purchase distressed properties and portfolios, regardless of delinquencies, negative equity or eminent default.Abacus provides a way out for owners who are experiencing the daily nightmare of overwhelming financial obligations and a pervasive lack of liquidity. Abacus Financial offers owners, investment groups, developers and real estate investment funds what may be the best opportunity for relief and financial salvation – purchasing each distressed property or portfolio for a price greater than the existing loan(s), regardless of current outstanding debt balance or current market value.

Abacus Financial’s execution will relieve the daily calls from irate investors and lenders. The strategy will also preserve the coveted capital gains treatment to be realized from a sale and avoid the ordinary income that could arise from debt forgiveness. At a time when it is more likely than not that capital gains rates will increase in 2011, NOW is the time to take advantage of this unique exit opportunity.

Abacus Financial is ready, willing and able to solve distressed real estate problems regardless of property type and location. Nationally recognized as a solutions driven private real estate investment workout firm, the principals of Abacus firmly subscribe to the ages old maxim: “solve a difficult and challenging problem, and all who participate shall prosper”.

In an industry that has no room for failure, Abacus has developed fast and efficient large scale equity solutions for over 30 years by working with owners and investors to solve their negative equity situations. For more information please visit http://www.abacus-financial.net or call (213) 260-4811 and speak to one of our seasoned acquisitions specialists.

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Quick Payday Loans Unveils Ground Breaking Impartial Payday Loan Reviews Website

QuickPaydayLoans.org.uk is a website dedicated to providing impartial information to applicants and consumers within the payday loans industry to allow them to make more informed payday loan applications. This service has been launched to address the increasing demand in this sector for impartial information on payday loan lenders. The Glasgow based website has launched its product offering into the market with a view to encouraging payday loans consumers to use the service as a vehicle through which to promote their experiences with particular payday lenders within the UK. The main target audience for the website are the same consumers that payday loan companies try to target – young, technically savvy individuals on the lookout for more consumer-orientated information on the payday loans sector.

The main driving force for the website however is its payday loan reviews section and in the first month of being live, this section of the site has turned into a hive of activity with consumers eager to voice their concerns and opinions on the many payday lenders reviewed on Quick Payday Loans. The launch of QuickPaydayLoans.org.uk has also prompted a number of users to email the Administrator of the website, Chris Thomson, to congratulate him on the effort put in so far.

“Payday Loan Consumers have been crying out for a viable and impartial resource through which they can learn more about the various lenders vying for business within the sector”, says Chris. “Quick Payday Loans has been set-up based on a lot of careful research into the sector and we have strong ambitions to expand the service outwards and encourage wider participation through providing networking opportunities both on- and off-site”.

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Tom Holcom Receives ‘Outstanding Civilian Service Medal’ from U.S. Army

Tom Holcom, chief executive officer of Pioneer Services, was presented with the U.S. Army’s “Outstanding Civilian Service Medal” Oct. 5, 2010, during a special celebration of his 25 years with the company. The award was presented to Holcom by retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Robert Arter.

Holcom was recognized for his work in helping to found the Command General Staff College Foundation (CGSCF) at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., which supports the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in the development of tomorrow’s military leaders. He was instrumental in helping the CGSCF obtain tax-exempt status, and was elected the foundation’s first president.

“Tom has displayed extraordinary leadership, enabling the Foundation to develop into one of the most successful supporting foundations in history,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen, the current commander of the Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, which includes the CGSC. “His dedication and selfless service reflect great credit upon him, the Combined Arms Center, and the United States Army.”

Past recipients include Sgt. Audie Murphy, the most decorated service member in American military history; E.N.J. Carter, creator of the “Be All You Can Be” slogan; and ninth Sergeant Major of the Army Richard A. Kidd.

Pioneer Services, the military banking division of MidCountry Bank, provides financial services and award-winning education to members of the Armed Forces. For more than 20 years, Pioneer Services has been a leader in military lending, offering military loansretail lending, VA loans, and award-winning financial education programs through a network of offices and on the Internet. Pioneer Services is proud to support military families and communities through a variety of partnerships, programs, and sponsorships.

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LV= Reports That Up To 1.2 Million Over-50s May Use Equity In Home To Supplement Pensions

LV= has revealed that ‘Home is Pension’ is a common mantra among the over-50s workforce in Britain as shown in a recent report published by the retirement specialist. Although 54% of the over-50s believe the value of their home has fallen over the last three years, an estimated 1.2 million ‘HIPpies’ (‘Home is Pension’) may use the equity in their home to help supplement their retirement income.

Only 19% of all over-50s still in work feel that they are financially on track to retire as planned, while the number of working over-50s that believe they may have to delay retirement for financial reasons has increased hugely, to 41% from just 28% this time last year. Homeowners over 50 estimate they have lost £60 billion in property value due to recent volatility in the housing market.

However, this has not put many off using the equity in their homes to help fund retirement, with nearly a quarter of working over-50s considering using some, or all of the equity in their home to fund their retirement. The ‘Home is Pension’ mantra is so valuable to over-50s, that 54% would suggest their children include investment in property as part of their retirement planning.

When working over-50s were questioned about the impact an interest rate rise would have, LV=’s research found that 40% would have to reduce their pension contributions just to meet the higher cost of paying debts. More than four in ten (44%) of all working over-50s and 34% of those aged 60-69 in work, have an outstanding mortgage debt on their home.

Vanessa Owen, LV= Head of Equity Release, said: “It seems to be increasingly commonplace for those approaching retirement to consider using the equity in their property as part of their overall retirement plan. Continuing doom and gloom over volatility in the housing market and seeing some properties fall in value, hasn’t deterred the UK’s “HIPpies” and many are still positive that the equity in their home is their best chance of having a more comfortable retirement.”

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Experian QAS Achieves Latest Oracle CRM On Demand Validated Integration

Experian QAS, a leading contact data management software and services provider has achieved Oracle Validated Integration with QAS for Oracle CRM On Demand 1.0 and Oracle CRM On Demand. Customers will benefit from Experian QAS’s data quality tools with the Oracle CRM On Demand solution, providing increased accuracy of customer intelligence, improved communications, and more informed decision-making.

Experian QAS’s existing Platinum partnership, through the Oracle PartnerNetwork programme, provides customers with added confidence that Experian QAS is one of the main and trusted contact data providers to Oracle and its customers. Experian QAS software and services can help improve address data quality, increase productivity, reduce waste and improve return on investment by ensuring accuracy and completeness of data.

Nik Haidar, Product and Marketing Director at Experian QAS commented: “This latest acknowledgment from Oracle is testament to our ability to deliver market-leading data management capabilities. Experian QAS for Oracle CRM On Demand software enables Oracle customers to benefit from accurate and enriched contact data to help increase campaign effectiveness, operational efficiency and business intelligence, and ultimately, generate more value from their Oracle CRM activities.”

Kevin O’Brien, Senior Director, ISV and SaaS Strategy, Oracle, commented: “Oracle Validated Integration applies a rigorous technical review and test process. Achieving Oracle Validated Integration through the Oracle PartnerNetwork gives customers confidence that the integrations between Experian QAS for Oracle CRM On Demand 1.0 and Oracle CRM On Demand have been validated and the products work together as designed. This can help reduce risk, improve system implementation cycles, and provide for smoother upgrades and simpler maintenance.”

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SBI Recruitment 2010

State Bank of India is a No.1 nationalized public sector bank in India has requirements for 6100 clerical staff for State Bank of India Associates Bank’s. Candidates are requested to apply on-line through Bank’s website www.sbi.co.in or www.statebankofindia.com. Complete information about SBI recruitment 2010 are as follows:

State Bank of India associates banks
State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur
State Bank of Hyderabad
State Bank of Mysore Bangalore
State Bank of Patiala Chandigarh
State Bank of Travancore

Important Dates to Remember to Apply SBI Recruitment
Date of Deposit of Fee: From 01.10.2010 To 30.10.2010
On-line Registration: From 01.10.2010 To 01.11.2010
Date of written examination: 16.01.2011 (Sunday)

-How to Apply for SBI Recruitment 2010:
Candidates are required to go to any Branch of State Bank of India / SBI and pay the amount of prescribed fees and get receipt from the branch. The candidates are required to apply on-line through website www.statebankofindia.com and www.sbi.co.in. No other means/mode of application will be accepted. The last date of registering applications is01.11.2010. Application registration on our website will be open from 01.10.2010 to01.11.2010.

Guidelines for filling application are as under :

  • Candidates should have a valid email id. This will help him/ her in getting call letter/ interview advices etc. by e-mail.
  • Candidates should have the Deposit Journal No. and Depositing Branch code No. (receipt of payment of fees) from branch of SBI before applying online.
  • The payment of fees should be made up to 30.10.2010. This date will be same for the candidates belonging to far-flung areas.
  • Candidates should keep a copy of the Application printout and Payment Receipt with Deposit Journal No. for their record. An ‘Acquaint Yourself’ booklet will be sent to the candidates along with the call letter for written test. Original payment receipt will have to be submitted with the call letter at the time of written examination.
  • Candidates serving in Government/Quasi Government offices, Public Sector undertaking including Nationalised Banks and financial Institutions will be required to submit ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the employer at the time of interview, failing which their candidature may not be considered and travelling expenses, if any, otherwise admissible, will not be paid.
  • The reserved category candidate will have to produce his/her original caste certificate/ relevant certificates at the time of interview, failing which his/her candidature shall be cancelled and he/she will not be admitted for interview. OBC candidates, availing reservation will have to produce OBC certificate with Non-creamy layer clause issued on or before 01.12.2010 at the time of interview.
  • In addition to OBC certificate, the candidates are required to submit a declaration for availing reservation of OBC on prescribed format at the time of interview. Candidates belonging to OBC category but coming in the ‘CREAMY LAYER’ are not entitled to OBC reservation and age relaxation.
  • They should indicate their category as ‘GEN OR GEN (OH/ VH/ HI) as applicable. Information relating to reservations based on caste/PWD/XS once filled at the time of registration will be final. No further changes will be allowed.
  • Candidates are advised to be very careful while filling the category (SC/ST/OBC/ GEN.etc) and other details in the application.
  • NO OTHER MODE OF APPLICATION/ PRINTOUT OR DRAFT ETC. WILL BE ACCEPTED to apply SBI Recruitment 2010. Action against candidates found guilty of conduct.
  • Candidates are warned that they should not furnish any particulars that are false, tampered/ fabricated or should not suppress any material information while filling up the application form of SBI Recruitment 2010

Complete information available at:
http://getsarkari-naukri.blogspot.com/2010/06/sb

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Northern Rock Cuts Everyday Mortgage Rates

Northern Rock has improved its Everyday mortgage range, offering lower rates which will make it more affordable for those looking to buy a new property or remortgage their home. The new Everyday fixed rates start from just 3.09%.

Everyday mortgages offer customers simple, straightforward mortgage deals with competitive rates and the ability to make overpayments of up to 10% each year, as well as the option to apply for payment holidays.

The news comes just weeks after it reduced its application fee for purchase customers to just £99.

Until Saturday 23 October 2010, all successful mortgage applicants on any Northern Rock purchase product who complete by 31st January 2011 will be entered into a prize draw with the chance of winning a home ‘makeover’. This prize will include a personal consultation with an interior designer to help them plan the change, and gift vouchers from retailer John Lewis.

Lloyd Cochrane, Head of Mortgage Products at Northern Rock said: “Buying a new house can be very exciting, but making your new house your home can also be expensive. Northern Rock understands this and so, as well as making rate cuts across our Everyday range of mortgages, we are offering one lucky mortgage customer the chance to win a fantastic new home makeover which we hope will help things along a little.”

Northern Rock continues to offer a choice of Fee Saver options across its Everyday and Flexible product ranges for customers who are looking to keep their costs as low as possible. And there is also a competitive range of Buy-to-Let mortgages available.

Northern Rock continues to operate its mortgage product range within the constraints of the competitive measures agreed with the European Commission. Full details of the entire mortgage product range offered by Northern Rock are included for information.

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LV= Promotes Best Practice For National Customer Service Week

LV=, the mutual insurance, investment and retirement group, is running a series of training and activities to promote and reward excellence in customer service as part of National Customer Service Week.

LV= is dedicated to delivering the best possible customer service all year round and will be using National Customer Service Week as an extra opportunity to highlight the value that customer service plays within organisations.

In addition to highlighting and rewarding those staff who have demonstrated customer service excellence, the group will be running a series of initiatives during the week such as problem solving training and ‘back to the floor’ sessions for senior management.

Two staff award schemes have been set up to celebrate the week. The LOVE awards are for employees who demonstrate Living Our Values Everyday (LOVE) and the Unsung Heroes awards are for staff to nominate colleagues who have gone the extra mile to improve an internal process or system.

In the general insurance business, each site has initiatives promoting great customer service throughout the week including managers’ mystery shopping and awarding prizes for great examples of customer service, quizzes themed around customer service, dress down and dress up days, job swaps and awards for the friendliest members of the customer service team.

Initiatives being rolled out specifically in LV=’s Bournemouth office include a dress like a rock star day, a ‘Know your Claims’ team quiz and retention spot prizes.

LV= handles more than 18,000 customer calls a day and has won numerous awards for its customer service, including the 2010 Moneywise award for best customer service in car insurance. The LV= general insurance call centre also won call centre of the year* in the 2009 National Customer Service Awards and is short-listed again for the same award this year.

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Northern Rock Launches Penguin Book Share Scheme

Northern Rock has partnered with Penguin books to offer customers free copies of classic editions available from many of its branches.

Some 25 high street branches across the country will be stocked with classic titles from the Penguin range including Moby Dick, The Thirty Nine Steps and Wind in the Willows.

Each paperback cover will feature the iconic Penguin logo, alongside the distinctive Northern Rock pink and black brand.

Northern Rock hopes that customers visiting participating bank branches will select a book from the specially designed stand, take it home, pass it on to friends or drop it into a branch for someone else to enjoy.

Anth Mooney, Marketing Director at Northern Rock said: “The Penguin book share scheme is a great way to get people talking about our brand. It also helps to make our branches interesting and stimulating places to visit and conduct business.

“To be associated with such a well-known name in the publishing world is a great honour and we are looking forward to generating lots of interest and hopefully introducing children to such classics as the Railway Children and Treasure Island, featuring Long John Silver – the original Pirate of the Caribbean.”

Nicola Hill, Marketing Director at Penguin, said: “We’re delighted with this collaboration and look forward to hearing from new readers as they discover Penguin Classics through Northern Rock.”

If the pilot proves successful, Northern Rock aims to launch a virtual book club that allows people to post reviews and ask for Penguin books they have not read yet.

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Saxo Bank Releases Quarterly Outlook For Q4 2010

In its economic outlook for the fourth quarter of 2010, Saxo Bank recognises growing optimism in recent months due to a strong earnings season but the state of the US economy still overshadows these results. Saxo Bank, the trading and investment specialist, expects final sales to remain weak in the second half of 2010 and into 2011 and the unemployment rate to continue to hover just below 10% in the fourth quarter.

Commenting on the outlook, David Karsbøl, Saxo Bank’s Chief Economist said: “With the S&P 500 currently trading around the same level as it did at the beginning of the year, and with the lack of investments due to a weak housing market, the ongoing trouble in Southern Europe, and most developed economies, Saxo Bank fears that a cold front will stall, bringing more challenges and adversity going into 2011.”

Equities rely on the notion that the impressive earnings growth rates, recorded in earlier quarters, can be sustained. According to the Bank, the trouble is that earnings growth currently comes almost exclusively from one source: margin expansion, and while productivity gains can only take income to a certain level, sales growth must soon step up to the challenge.

The Bank predicts that spending at state and local levels remains a downward trend as policymakers scramble to balance their budgets. Despite the fact that the recession is generally perceived to have ended in the summer of 2009, it is still very much a reality at state and local levels.

“Double dip fears re-emerged over the summer as the deceleration in the US economy progressed as predicted in our 2010 Yearly Outlook. We expect growth to come to a complete halt in the fourth quarter of 2010 as consumption deleverages, the manufacturing sector will slow down, and investments will be negatively affected by the weak housing market. Unfortunately, the risk of a double dip, within the next few quarters, is substantial in our view.” Karsbøl added.

The Quarterly Outlook Q4 2010 focuses on the following areas: general market comment, macros forecast, FX outlook, equity outlook, commodity outlook and policy rates.

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Northern Rock’s Innovative Mortgage Website Scoops Prestigious Award

Northern Rock’s new interactive mortgage website has been commended by a leading magazine for its ‘best use of digital by sector’.

The new Northern Rock mortgage site was launched in April this year and managed to fight off stiff competition to win the prestigious accolade at the Communicate Magazine’s Digital Impact Awards.

The award presentation was held at the Tabernacle in Notting Hill in order to celebrate excellence in digital stakeholder communications.

Northern Rock, along with digital agency TH_NK, who helped design the website, succeeded in beating off stiff competition from FT.com, Echo Research for the Liberal Democrats, Omobono for Ocean Sky, Echo Research for Syngenta and Citigate Dewe Rogerson for TalkTalk, which were also shortlisted for the prize.

The site was created to make it easier for customers to find Northern Rock mortgages and learn more about the purchase process. As well as containing lots of useful advice and information for different customer groups, it also includes a range of new tools such as a jargon buster, budget planner and mortgage overpayment calculator to take the complexity out of the mortgage-selection process.

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MidCountry Bank Names Steve Meads New President

MidCountry Bank has named financial industry veteran Steve Meads as its new president. Meads is now responsible for leading the growth of the bank in each of the communities it serves.

“We are very excited to have such an exceptional individual on our team who demonstrates the characteristics for which our company was built: local community spirit, and our core values of integrity, honesty, fairness, compassion and excellence,” said Bob Hatcher , CEO MidCountry Financial Corp , the bank’s holding company.

Meads graduated from Carleton College with a BA in Economics and also earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin. He has nearly 25 years of financial services industry experience, most recently serving as President and CEO of Bremer Bank in the Twin Cities. He also is the Chairman of the YMCA of Greater Saint Paul and is active on the board of the Woodbury Community Foundation. Meads resides with his wife, Teri, and their four children in Lake Elmo.

MidCountry Bank is a full-service bank with administrative headquarters in Minnetonka , Twin Cities and out-state branches in Minnesota and a regional presence in Southern Illinois and Nevada . As a community bank, MidCountry provides high quality, diversified financial services and solutions for customers to meet their personal, business and professional banking needs. To learn more, visit www.MidCountryBank.com.

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Northern Rock Launches New Fixed Rate E-Bond

Northern Rock has launched a new e-bond account, providing a competitive interest rate for those savers who wish to operate their account online.

With a minimum deposit of just £1, customers can benefit from a fixed rate of interest for one year. e-bond (Issue 1) pays 3.00% gross*/AER** pa until 20 October 2011. Accounts must be opened and operated online. Initial deposits can be made online by electronic transfer from another bank or building society, or from an existing Northern Rock account.

Account holders can choose to have their interest paid annually (interest is calculated daily) on 5 August, or monthly (the monthly interest rate is 0.30% below the gross* annual rate) on the 7th of the month (available next business day).

Additional deposits can be made during the offer period up to a maximum of £250,000 per customer. e-bond (Issue 1) is non-redeemable and does not allow any withdrawals or closure during the fixed rate period. The fixed rate bond is offered on a limited issue basis and will be withdrawn without notice once fully subscribed. Once withdrawn, no further deposits will be accepted.

In keeping with Northern Rock’s commitment to providing openness, transparency, and fair treatment of customers, full product details are available at Northern Rock’s website at www.northernrock.co.uk/savings.

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Barclaycard Launches Next Generation Online Payments With SmartPay

Barclaycard has announced the launch of Barclaycard SmartPay. This new secure online payment processing system is designed to help European retailers compete with domestic retailers in foreign markets and reduce the number of transactions where customers do not complete their purchase. Developed in partnership with global internet payment and e-commerce solutions provider Adyen, it will revolutionise cross-border e-commerce by offering a simpler, seamless payment experience to consumers.

Barclaycard SmartPay’s next generation functionality offers a single payment gateway for large merchants’ online shops, adapting language and currency to the origin of the paying customer. While ensuring an interruption-free redirect to the payments page, it also offers a diverse range of payment methods, helping retailers to meet local consumer preferences for online transaction types across European countries which helps lower abandonment rates*.

According to recent figures** for Western Europe, e-commerce sales are expected to reach €77bn this year, and grow by a further 10 per cent per annum to reach €123bn by 2015. Whether in traditional retail sales, leisure and travel or other key online sectors, Barclaycard SmartPay will enable merchants to take maximum advantage of the rapidly growing online sales market.

Paul Cook, Managing Director of Global Payment Acceptance at Barclaycard, said:
“Consumers can quickly get frustrated at online check-out and abandon their purchase if the experience isn’t straightforward or they can’t select their preferred payment method. By simplifying the complex online transaction processes, Barclaycard SmartPay will make it easy for businesses to present a seamless, familiar payment environment to customers across the EU and, ultimately, increase conversion rates and confidence with previously unfamiliar websites.”

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