Indexed annuity sales in the United States reached a record $8.3 billion in the second quarter of 2009, a 21 percent increase from the same period a year ago, despite a challenging market and continuing consolidation within the industry. Aviva USA maintained its lead as the largest seller of indexed annuities, with a 20 percent share of the market, according to the Advantage Index Sales & Market Report produced by Pleasant Hill-based AnnuitySpecs.com. The report reflected a trend of fewer companies offering fewer products; a year ago 59 companies offered a total of 333 indexed annuities, compared with 45 companies offering 266 indexed annuity products currently. Fifty percent of all indexed annuity sales continued to come through Iowa-domiciled companies, the report indicated.

The Iowa Mission of Mercy needs dentists, assistants, hygienists and members of the general public to volunteer their time and expertise to help serve the expected 1,000 patients seeking no-cost oral health care Sept. 25-26 at the Iowa Speedway in Newton. Last fall at the first Iowa Mission of Mercy in Waterloo, more than 900 individuals donated their time and expertise to serve more than 1,200 patients. Six-hour volunteer shifts are available during the clinic and for set-up on Sept. 24 and tear-down on Sept. 27. More information is available at www.iowamom.org or by calling (877) 244-9612, Ext. 5016.

The second “Restaurant Week” will be Aug. 21-30, with 42 restaurants creating three-course meals for $25 per person or $25 for a lunch for two. Participating restaurants are Alba, Azalea, Baratta’s, Bistro Montage, Bos, Cafe Di Scala, Centro, Chef’s Kitchen, Christopher’s, Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Co., Cosi Cucina, Dish, DJango, Dos Rios, Fire Creek, Gateway Market MLK, Gateway Market West, Grand Piano Bistro, Graze, Irina’s Restaurant, Jimmy’s American Café, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse – Des Moines, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse – West Des Moines, Le Jardin, Lucca, Mezzodis, Mojo’s, Ohana Steakhouse, Phat Chefs, Proof, Rock River Grill in the Downtown Marriott, Raccoon River Brewing Co., Sbrocco, Shane’s Rib Shack, Splash, Star Bar, Trostel’s Greenbriar, Tursi’s Latin King, Waterfront Seafood Market – Ankeny, Waterfront Seafood Market – West Des Moines, Woody’s Smoke Shack and Zen. Diners are invited to visit the participating restaurants, save at least four receipts and enter to win a trip for two to Puerto Rico. Sponsors include Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau, Des Moines Business Record, dsm magazine, Coca-Cola/Atlantic Bottling Co., Doll Distributing, Pearl Vodka and Sysco Food Services. Menus are posted online at www.SeeDesMoines.com and www.dsmmagazine.com. Facebook users can find more information by searching “Des Moines Restaurant Week.” Facebook users can also upload photos and provide feedback on the event at www.facebook.com/SeeDesMoines. Twitter followers can tweet and follow updates by using the hashtag #DMRestaurantWeek. Visit www.dsmmagzine.com for the official rules.

Tony Kaska will become president and chief executive officer of Midwest Heritage Bank F.S.B., the banking subsidiary of West Des Moines-based Hy-Vee Inc., the company announced Friday. The appointment is effective Sept. 14. Click here to read more.

Lowe’s Cos. Inc. said today that its second-quarter profit fell a worse-than-expected 19 percent after consumers continued to balk at spending for big-ticket and non-essential items despite some signs of bottoming in the housing market, MarketWatch reported. Lowe’s also said it decided not to pursue several potential future store projects and lowered its North American store opening plans for next year. The No. 2 U.S. home improvement retailer on Monday also gave second-half forecasts that fell short of Wall Street expectations.

Business improved for manufacturers in New York in August, according to the Empire State index released Monday by the New York Federal Reserve Bank. The index rose to 12.1 from negative 0.6 in July, the first positive reading since April 2008 and the highest since November 2007. Readings over zero mean most firms said business was improving compared with the prior month. Two key components of the index — new orders and shipments — rose to their highest levels in more than a year.