Wells Fargo & Co. denied allegations of discrimination by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Orlando Business Journal reported. The NAACP filed a lawsuit against Wells Fargo and HSBC Bank USA NA for alleged racial bias in their subprime lending practices. According to the litigation, African-American homeowners who received subprime mortgage loans from Wells Fargo and HSBC were more than 30 percent more likely to be issued a higher-rate loan than Caucasian borrowers with the same qualifications. In response, Wells Fargo issued a statement saying, “We have never tolerated, and will never tolerate, discrimination in any way, shape or form in any of our business practices, products or services.”

Iowa Telecommunications Services Inc.’s board of directors today announced a quarterly dividend of 40.5 cents per share. The dividend is payable April 15 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31.

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. announced that it has recorded additional “other than temporary impairments” on certain residential-mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) for the fourth quarter of 2008, according to a Morningstar article. As a result of the recognition of those impairment losses on investments, the West Des Moines-based insurer’s realized loss on investments in the fourth quarter increased to $95.7 million from the previously reported $22.8 million, with a corresponding decrease in net income from $4.2 million to a net loss of $22.1 million. Net income for the year ended Dec. 31 was $20.8 million, compared to 2007 net income of $29 million. The additional other than temporary impairments recognized involved only RMBS, and no impairments were recorded on any of the company’s commercial mortgages, the company said.

Ames-based Sauer-Danfoss Inc. will release its fourth-quarter results at the close of U.S. markets today. Company President and CEO Sven Ruder will host a conference call tomorrow at 9 a.m. Iowa time to discuss the results. Interested parties may listen in to the conference call by dialing (800) 967-5938 and entering the code 86338712. The conference call will also be broadcast live on the company’s Web site at http://ir.sauer-danfoss.com.

West Des Moines-based Kum & Go L.C. has opened three new stores: two in Arkansas and one in Oklahoma. Each store features 20 conventional fueling stations offering unleaded, unleaded plus, premium, E85 and diesel fuels. Kum & Go has 56 stores in Oklahoma and 24 in Arkansas.

Foreign purchases of U.S. debt increased in the first month of 2009, according to a Treasury Department report released Monday, CNNMoney reported. China continued to lead all foreign nations, purchasing an additional $12.2 billion of Treasury securities in January. According to a Treasury International Capital report, China owns nearly $740 billion of U.S. debt, which accounts for more than 6 percent of the total $10.9 trillion outstanding debt. Japan is the second-largest U.S. debt holder and bought up another $8.8 billion of U.S. government bonds.

The Iowa Flower, Lawn & Garden Show, presented by Hy-Vee Inc., will be held at the Varied Industries Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds March 20-22. More than 300 booths will display annual and perennial flowers, plants, trees, fencing, landscaping, water gardens and more. The cost is $6.95 for adults, $5.95 for seniors, and children under 12 are free. For more information and to download a discount pass, visit www.iowaflowershow.com or call (800) 756-4788.