Archive for January 2014
Berko: Negative interest rates and municipal bonds
Dear Mr. Berko:
I’m 71 and retired. I own a duplex with no mortgage, and I live in one side and rent the other. I have $186,000 in my individual retirement account ($88,000 of which …
Read MoreBerko: Stocks priced under $10
Dear Mr. Berko:
In early 2012, you recommended Flagstar Bank at 80 cents a share, and I bought 3,000 shares for $2,400 as a speculation. Flagstar had a 1-for-10 reverse split, and I now have …
Read MoreTaxpayers group urges D.M. voters to approve franchise fee
The Polk County Taxpayers Association today issued a recommendation that Des Moines voters approve a March 4 referendum approving a franchise fee to pay off a $40 million court judgment. The taxpayers’ watchdog group said …
Read MoreProfits up at West Bank as board announces dividend
West Bancorporation Inc., parent company of West Bank, reported fourth-quarter net income of $4.3 million, up from $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, the company reported today. Interest income increased 13 percent to …
Read MoreSpeakers for Global Insurance Symposium announced
Experts from around the globe will speak at the Global Insurance Symposium in Des Moines May 20-22, according to Gov. Terry Branstad.
The privately funded symposium is the result of collaborative work between the Greater …
Read MoreGrassley asks for probe into propane price hike
Rural Iowans are reacting to propane prices that nearly doubled this week to $5 a gallon, reports DesMoinesRegister.com. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether the price increase is …
Read MorePartnership launches attraction and retention website
The Greater Des Moines Partnership announced yesterday that it has launched a website designed to help prospective, returning and current residents find amenities and ways to connect with the community. Carpe DM, at the web …
Read MoreThe Iowa Clinic, Wellmark to launch ACO
The Iowa Clinic and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced they will launch an accountable care organization. The organization will focus on coordinating patient care to slow health care cost increases while improving the …
Read MoreMorning Business Headlines: 1-24-14
World buyers line up to purchase U.S. natural gas
Reuters: Countries around the world have been quietly signing deals in recent months to import natural gas from the United States, revealing a growing appetite for the …
Read MoreBusiness Record to launch e-newsletter for female leaders
The Business Record will launch a new weekly e-newsletter titled Lift IOWA that will aim to connect, empower and inform leaders throughout the …
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