Principal Bank has joined the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) network, which provides customers with access to multimillion-dollar account protection on certificates of deposit. Through CDARS, Principal Bank can spread deposits among other banks insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., allowing customers to manage all their funds through one portfolio and insure their deposits up to $50 million. See related story.

The American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) first-quarter report shows that Iowa ranks No. 2 in the nation for wind power generating capacity. According to the organization, nine states have made it into the AWEA’s “gigawatt” club, which requires states to have more than 1,000 megawatts (MW) of wind power generating capacity. Iowa has 2,883 MW of capacity, which is far behind No. 1 Texas, with 7,907 MW of capacity.

Refinance applications fell 21.9 percent in the week ended April 24, according to data released today by the Mortgage Bankers Association, CNNMoney reported. Average 30-year mortgage rates declined by 0.11 percentage point to 4.62 percent, which nearly matched the all-time low of 4.61 percent set in the week ended March 27. Refinancing applications accounted for about 75 percent of all mortgage applications last week, down from a nearly 80 percent share the prior week.

Bank Iowa will host a speed networking event Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at its Johnston branch as part of its celebration of its second year of being in Johnston. The event is limited to the first 50 people who register. Registration is being accepted by e-mail to Meika Merrill at MMerrill@BankIowaBanks.com. Special guests include Doug Mitchell of CreateWowMedia, Adam Steen of 25 Connections, Tom Harbison of the Small Business Administration and Mary Inbody of Bank Iowa.

More than 50 million retirees will receive $250 each from the government during the next few weeks as part of the $787 billion spending package. The checks will go to people who receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, railroad retirement or veterans’ disability benefits. The payments are intended for people who did not qualify for the “Making Work Pay” tax credit that provided up to $400 to individuals and $800 to couples. Mary Glenn-Croft, deputy commissioner of the Social Security Administration, told a congressional panel Tuesday that the payments are intended to inject more than $13 billion into the economy while helping beneficiaries of the four programs meet everyday living expenses.

The Ankeny Mayor’s Youth Council is currently accepting applications through May 30 for new members to serve during the upcoming 2009-2010 school year. Fifteen high school students will be appointed to serve as volunteer representatives to advocate on behalf of Ankeny youths. The Mayor’s Youth Council meets on the first and third Sundays of each month under the guidance of the mayor, City Council and the Ankeny Parks and Recreation Department. Interested students may pick up an application at the Parks and Recreation office, 210 S. Ankeny Blvd., or apply online. For more information, contact Nick Lenox at (515) 963-3576.