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Insurance

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Danger in the shadows

The shadow banking industry has grown to about $67 trillion worldwide, $6 trillion bigger than previously thought, leading global regulators to seek more oversight of financial transactions that fall outside traditional oversight, Bloomberg said.

The …

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United Fire declares dividend

The board of directors of Cedar Rapids-based United Fire Group Inc. has declared a regular quarterly dividend on its common stock of 15 cents per share, payable Dec. 31 to shareholders of record as of …

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Foster Group recognized by Schwab

Foster Group Inc. was selected as the winner of the 2012 Best In Business IMPACT Award by Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

The West Des Moines-based fee-only advisory firm was one of just three registered …

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FBL authorizes additional $30 million stock repurchase

FBL Financial Group Inc.’s board of directors has approved a plan to repurchase an additional $30 million of its Class A common stock, which will commence upon conclusion of its current $200 million stock repurchase …

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Griswell nominated for international insurance award

The International Insurance Society (IIS) has selected  J. Barry Griswell, retired chairman, president and CEO of Principal Financial Group Inc., as one of five nominees for its 2013 Insurance Hall of Fame Award. The award …

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BERKO: Some IRA (and college) advice

Dear Mr. Berko:

We told our son that if his high school grades were good, we’d pay for his college education. We consider his 3.36 grade-point average very good; however, my job was downsized last …

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BERKO: Turbine maker a speculative buy

Dear Mr. Berko:

A good friend, who is a mechanical engineer, just bought 8,000 shares of Capstone Turbine Corp., a company he believes offers the best and cheapest power-generating sources in the country. The stock …

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BERKO: Intel vs. Goldman

Dear Mr. Berko:

I’m a married, 37-year-old, self-employed plumber with three children and have barely managed to keep my head above water these last few years. Because I’m a conservative investor, the broker for my …

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Study: Three out of four Americans unprepared for legal expenses

A new study conducted for Des Moines-based insurer ARAG North America Inc., reports that Americans of all ages face concerns when it comes to today’s legal issues, but that a majority do not have a …

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Mortgage delinquencies lowest in three years

U.S. homeowners are doing a better job of keeping up with their mortgage payments, aided by an improving housing market and low interest rates that are making it easier  to refinance  BusinessWeek  reported. According to …