U.S. Bank is launching a new savings contest called “What are you saving for?” that asks children ages 5 to 12 why they are saving money and how they plan to earn extra money. Twenty-five winners will receive $100 each. Entry forms are available at any U.S. Bank branch. The first name, hometown, age and savings goal of each winner will be posted at www.usbank.com/whatareyousavingfor. The bank will also track the top 10 things that these young people are saving for each month.

A CareerBuilder survey of more than 2,900 workers completed in June found that 88 percent were interested in jobs within the public sector. Forty-one percent reported that they are interested in jobs within the federal government and 47 percent said they are interested in jobs within state and local government. More than one-third (34 percent) of job seekers said that the economic stimulus plan made them more interested in positions within government. When asked what most appealed to them about working for the government, job seekers pointed to job stability (21 percent), training opportunities (16 percent) and a chance to make a difference (13 percent).

Perficut Lawn & Landscape and related companies Carpenter Erosion Control and Storm Water Consultants have been recognized by Landscape Management magazine for their sales in 2008. Perficut was the only Iowa company making the list, ranking 107th nationally and 19th in the 12-state Midwest region with annual sales of $13.3 million.

In the first six months of this year, private equity firms raised just over one-third the capital they were able to attract from pension funds, university endowments, foundations and other investors in the first half of 2008, according to a report today from Dow Jones Private Equity Analyst. Through June, 173 private equity funds raised $54.9 billion, 64 percent less than the $152.7 billion raised by 261 funds during the first half of 2008 and the lowest midyear total since 2005. In 2008, private equity firms raised a total of $287.5 billion, second only to the record $343.3 billion raised in 2007. The report said there are signs that the fund-raising market may be thawing as the stock market stabilized somewhat in the second quarter and limited partners — institutions and firms that invest in private equity firms — gained a better grasp on the state of their balance sheets.

Principal Financial Group Inc. said today that it is changing the name and focus of an investment fund. The Principal West Coast Equity Fund is now the Principal Capital Appreciation Fund. Previously, the fund was limited to investing in companies located or doing significant business in Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington. The new name and strategy allow the portfolio manager to take advantage of a wider range of investment opportunities throughout the United States, Principal said in a news release.