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Insurance

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BERKO: The separation of church and stocks


Dear Mr. Berko:

We have two children, ages 7 and 11. A financial adviser who is also a deacon in our church wants us to open a 529 college plan in the Putnam Voyager Fund. …
By MALCOLM BERKO | Nov 4, 2011
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BERKO: CIT Group faces big problems


Dear Mr. Berko:

My broker recommends I sell CIT Group shares that I bought at $49 in January of this year. He believes its revenues and earnings look weak, and he thinks the stock is …
By MALCOLM BERKO | Nov 4, 2011
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2011 a good year for small business investment


As the saying goes, you have to spend money to make money. Before 2011 ends, business owners may want to think about investing in capital improvements to earn some tax breaks as well.

Some popular …
By JOE GARDYASZ | Nov 4, 2011
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American Equity income jumps

American Equity income jumps West Des Moines-based American Equity Investment Life Holding Co., an underwriter of index and fixed-rate annuities, on Wednesday reported third-quarter 2011 operating income of $41.5 million, or 67 cents per share.…
By BPC Staff | Nov 3, 2011
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Midwest M&A activity up in third quarter

Midwest M&A activity up in third quarter   The number of Midwest companies that participated in a merger or acquisition during the past six months increased in the third quarter of 2011, according to a…
By BPC Staff | Nov 2, 2011
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David Bach to speak at Nov. 8 Chrysalis seminar

David Bach to speak at Nov. 8 Chrysalis seminar The Chrysalis Foundation will host bestselling financial author David Bach for an educational seminar on Nov. 8 in West Des Moines. Bach, author of “Start Late,…
By BPC Staff | Nov 2, 2011
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Two launch wealth management firm

Two launch wealth management firm Devin Reimer and Bryan Borchert, representatives of AXA Advisors LLC, have partnered to form Focus Fifty Capital Management, a comprehensive investment and wealth management firm. The firm’s office is located…
By BPC Staff | Nov 2, 2011
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SEC study: Private offerings surpassed debt offerings in 2010

SEC study: Private offerings surpassed debt offerings in 2010   Companies are increasingly taking advantage of securities rules that lets them raise  capital without having to go through costly registrations, according to a new study…
By BPC Staff | Nov 2, 2011
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Clifton Gunderson, LarsonAllen to merge

Clifton Gunderson, LarsonAllen to merge Clifton Gunderson LLP and LarsonAllen LLP, ranked as two of the nation’s top 20 certified public accounting and consulting firms, yesterday announced plans to merge and form one of the…
By BPC Staff | Nov 2, 2011
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Tonka Bay announces third private equity fund

Tonka Bay announces third private equity fund Minnesota-based Tonka Bay Equity Partners LLC has announced the availability of a new $150 million investment fund.  The private equity firm, which has invested in several Iowa companies…
By BPC Staff | Nov 2, 2011