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NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS APR 09, 2009
Japan's leader unveils ambitious growth plan

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso unveiled an ambitious long-term growth strategy today, vowing to refashion the world's second-largest economy and create millions of jobs, with the first step a massive new stimulus package.

By Bloomberg
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS APR 09, 2009
At last, economy leveling off — but bumps not over

There were fresh signs today that the full force of the recession may be petering out: a strong profit forecast from Wells Fargo, a drop in unemployment benefit filings and several retailers predicting solid April sales.

By Bloomberg
FOMC minutes: 'Vicious cycle' spurred Fed to bold action
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS APR 08, 2009
FOMC minutes: 'Vicious cycle' spurred Fed to bold action

Faced with the danger of a worsening recession, Federal Reserve policymakers at their March meeting took the bold step of plowing $1.2 trillion into the economy to drive down interest rates and entice Americans to start buying again.

By Associated Press
NEWS LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES APR 08, 2009
AIG completes sale of retail bank operations

American International Group Inc. said Wednesday that it completed the sale of its retail bank and credit card operations in Thailand for about $45 million in proceeds.

By Bloomberg
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS APR 08, 2009
Consumers gain confidence but watch their pennies

While an index of consumer confidence rose in March, those surveyed still plan to be conservative about spending, according to a report released today.

By Sue Asci
NEWS LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES APR 08, 2009
Uncle Sam to the VA rescue

For most of us, the best alternative to a prescription sleep inducer is a discussion about insurance.

By Bloomberg
NEWS WIREHOUSES APR 07, 2009
Discount-brokerage firms trump wirehouses in customer satisfaction, survey says

In a customer service satisfaction survey of 17 brokerage firms, discount-brokerage firms scored better in terms of navigating clients through the market downturn last year, compared with larger, full-service brokers, according to Consumer Reports.

By Sue Asci
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS APR 07, 2009
Religious order sues State Street, SSgA over losses

Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dubuque, Iowa, has filed a civil suit alleging breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust and unjust enrichment regarding losses from the order’s investment in an SSgA enhanced Dow Jones-AIG Commodities futures strategy.

By Christine Williamson
NEWS LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES APR 07, 2009
Lincoln National eyes selling divisions to shore up insurance businesses

Lincoln National Corp., which paid off a $500 million debt just yesterday, today said it is considering whether to sell assets in an effort to bolster its insurance businesses.

By Darla Mercado
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS APR 06, 2009
Active portfolio managers suddenly high on equities

Active portfolio managers experienced a surge of confidence last week as the Index of Manager Sentiment recorded a record seven-day spike, pushing the index to its highest level in nearly 10 months.

By Bloomberg
NEWS LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES APR 06, 2009
Lincoln digs deep to repay $500M debt

Shares of Lincoln National Corp. fell today as the insurer prepared to pay down $500 million in debt.

By Darla Mercado
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS APR 06, 2009
Financial sector job losses easing off, Moody's says

Job security in the financial sector is still a precarious proposition, but the worst may be over, said Marisa DiNatale, a senior economist at Moody’s Economy.com, a division of Moody’s Analytics Inc. of West Chester, Pa.

By Sue Asci
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS APR 06, 2009
GunnAllen regroups after death of CEO

Following the recent death of its chief executive Gordon Loetz, GunnAllen Holdings Inc. of Tampa announced a series of management changes this morning.

By Bruce Kelly
NEWS LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES APR 06, 2009
Stifel moves into insurance with new hires

Stifel Nicolaus & Co. Inc. has hired two executives from KeyBanc to fill newly created positions in the Financial Institutions Group.

By Jamie Burns
NEWS BROKER DEALERS APR 05, 2009
Patience wears thin for AIG reps, advisers

After months of waiting for talks on the sale of the three broker-dealers that make up the AIG Advisor Group to be resolved, many of the more than 6,000 representatives and financial advisers in the network are growing anxious about their future.

By Bruce Kelly
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS APR 05, 2009
Schwab's alternatives decision mobilizes State Street, Broadcort

Units of State Street Corp. and Bank of America Corp.'s Broadcort clearing division are working to capture alternative assets from registered investment advisers who are being forced to remove them from The Charles Schwab Corp.'s custody platform.

By Jed Horowitz
NEWS LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES APR 05, 2009
Insurers slow production of fixed-index annuities

Insurers, concerned about conserving capital, have put the brakes on their fixed-index-annuity production, a move that advisers say could put a crimp in their business.

By Darla Mercado
NEWS LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES APR 03, 2009
House again floats federal insurance regulator

In the latest iteration of a plan that’s been steadily gaining support from both Democrats and Republicans on the Hill, legislation was introduced yesterday that would create a federal insurance regulator.

By Bloomberg
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS APR 03, 2009
Simmers of ING Advisors Network to step down

John Simmers, one of the most widely respected executives in the independent-contractor brokerage business, is stepping down from the ING Advisors Network. Mr. Simmers, chairman and CEO of the network, told advisers about his decision to retire on a conference call yesterday afternoon.

By Bruce Kelly
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS APR 03, 2009
Wall Street looks past jobs report, extends rally

The stock market is finishing the day with a modest advance, logging its fourth straight week of gains.

By Bloomberg