Bulldog Finance Group Launches as New Breed of Fundraisers for Democratic Party Candidates and Progressive Causes

Washington, DC 6, 2010 Bulldog Finance Group, a fundraising firm for Democratic Party candidates and progressive causes, officially announced its launch today in an effort to help Democratic campaigns on all levels maximize their fundraising potential in an organized and cost-effective manner. Founded by expert fundraising consultant Scott Dworkin, the company is comprised of political, fundraising and communication strategists who provide counsel to a wide variety of clients, including first-time candidates, incumbents and nonprofits, among others.

“In our country’s competitive campaign environment, candidates are hard-pressed to get their message to voters without a strategy that’s supported by a solid foundation of fundraising,said Scott Dworkin, Founder & CEO, Bulldog Finance Group. “For years, fundraising has been a challenge for candidates and nonprofits because of its segmented and elusive nature. It’s our goal to mitigate the challenges around fundraising to make the process easy, efficient, cost-effective, and most importantly, results driven.

Bulldog Finance Group utilizes a variety of modern strategies to scale beyond traditional fundraising tactics. In addition to call time and donor prospecting, the firm specializes in Internet marketing, social media networking, messaging and event execution. Furthermore, Bulldog Finance Group works daily with every division of a typical campaign structure, including the candidate and the communications, media and field teams to continuously provide counsel on opportunities to maximize the campaignsfundraising results.

Marty Stone, President of Stone’s Phones, and former Finance Director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee commented on the official launch of Bulldog: “I&39;ve worked with Bulldog Finance Group on multiple occasions and have always been impressed by their work and results. They truly bring a new attitude to Democratic fundraising."

Bulldog Finance Group is already working with several candidates to bolster their fundraising efforts, including Larry Kissell (NC-08) for U.S. Congress, Rudy Moise (FL-17) for U.S. Congress and Lori Albin for Maryland State Assembly among others. The company also works with progressive causes, including the Young Democrats of America.

“Bulldog Finance Group is providing my campaign with an organized and efficient fundraising strategy,said Rudy Moise, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives from Florida’s 17th Congressional District. “My entire Bulldog team is dedicated to the success of my candidacy."

Bulldog Finance Group’s services include, but aren’t limited to:

Development and execution of short-term and long-term finance plans

National fundraising

Personal network management

National, state and local donor prospecting, activation and reactivation

Database building/results tracking

Candidate, staff and volunteer training

PAC fundraising

Compliance training and consulting

Internet marketing/social media networking

Efficiency & organization best practices

Messaging and issue framing

For more information on Bulldog Finance Group, visit http://www.bulldogfinancegroup.com.

About Bulldog Finance Group:
Bulldog Finance Group specializes in fundraising for Democratic Party candidates and progressive causes at the local, state and federal levels. The firm’s unique mix of seasoned political, fundraising, campaign and communications experts enables it to help Democrats maximize their fundraising potential. Bulldog Finance Group represents first-time candidates, seasoned incumbents and nonprofits, among others. The firm provides its clients with national strategy, modern tactics and an organizational structure on the foundation of an efficient fundraising campaign. Expert fundraising specialist Scott Dworkin founded Bulldog Finance Group in 2009. For more information, visit http://www.bulldogfinancegroup.com.

Contact:
Evan Goldberg
Senior Vice President
Bulldog Finance Group
202-263-4628
evan(at)bulldogfinancegroup(dot)com

Not Just for First Time Home Buyers Anymore

Forked River, NJ 9, 2010 American Advantage Mortgage Company today launched a revolutionary new residential mortgage product which enables 100% financing of a primary, secondary, or investment property up to $1 million dollars. &194;“In today&194;’s real estate market, many people envision low-down-payment programs for first time homebuyers,&194;” states Devon Callan, Loan Officer at American Advantage Mortgage Company. &194;“However, if the after-tax return on alternative uses of that money exceeds the buyers financing costs, putting little or no money down on a home is often a wise financial choice.&194;” He added that funding 100% of a primary, secondary, or investment property helps avoid liquidating assets to cover a down payment and possibly paying capital gains after liquidating. &194;“Naturally, one would want to consult their tax advisor about their personal situation,&194;” said Callan, &194;“however this innovative financing strategy offers several paybacks, especially for property investors.&194;”

When asked about the benefits, Callan explained, &194;“Financing 100% of your primary, secondary, or investment property may increase the amount of deductible interest expense as well as defer potential capital gains exposure.&194;” Another reason for 100% financing Callan stated was investment strategy preservation which allows the homebuyer to keep their portfolio intact by avoiding liquidation of assets to fund a down payment. &194;“With the maximum loan amount of $1 million dollars, 100% financing is not for first-time homebuyers anymore,&194;” laughed Callan. The new mortgage product allows various property types including single family, multiple family, townhouses, and condos.

About American Advantage Mortgage Company, Inc.

American Advantage Mortgage Company is based out of Forked River, New Jersey and is a licensed mortgage banker in NJ, SC, FL, and CO. For more information, please call 877-562-6681.

For more information on 100% financing, call toll free 877-562-6681.

Payoff.com Partners With Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative to Unlock America’s Entrepreneurial Potential

Los Angeles, CA 10, 2011 A bleak economy and high unemployment rate have left many aspiring entrepreneurs wondering how to put food on the table and little time to dream. Between mounting debt and limited seed capital for new businesses, many entrepreneurial dreams have been put on hold. Payoff.com has teamed up with the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative (ELI) to help remove the financial obstacles that hold entrepreneurs back and fully unleash America’s entrepreneurial potential.

"Money plays a part in every entrepreneur's story,said Gary Schoeniger, Founder & CEO of the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative. “Payoff's platform helps our students take control of their financial destinies and increases the likelihood that their entrepreneurial aspirations become more than just a dream."

“Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the American economy,said Scott Saunders, CEO & Founder of Payoff.com who was recently profiled for ELI’s Who Owns the Ice House 8 lessons from real-world entrepreneurs. “We share a similar DNA with Gary and ELI and we’re honored to form this partnership and be a part of leading America’s economic recovery.

About Payoff

Payoff.com is a free Personal Financial MotivationSM (PFM) site uniting consumers, communities, brands, and financial institutions to form a powerful ecosystem with a focused objective: motivating individuals to achieve financial goals and fulfill dreams. Payoff’s easy to use website turns the drudgery of personal finance into something simple, social and fun, allowing its users to share dreams and milestones with their friends, set financial goals like paying off a credit card or saving to start a business, and track their financial picture without pie-charts, spreadsheets or data-entry. Payoff.com also offers practical tools to help its users quickly achieve goals and rewards progress with badges and cash prizes to motivate its users. Payoff was founded in 2009 in Los Angeles, California. For more information, visit http://www.payoff.com.

About ELI
The Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative, LLC (ELI) provides interactive online entrepreneurship education programs for individuals and organizations worldwide. Combining extensive research with practical knowledge and insight drawn from more than 300 hours of on-camera interviews, ELI is rapidly becoming a recognized leader in the field of entrepreneurship education. Its mission is to create inspired learning programs that deliver real-world impact. ELI’s clients include the Cisco Entrepreneur Institute as well as the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Its programs are currently being deployed in more than 30 countries worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.elientrepreneur.com.

Leads.com Inc. Announces B2B Leads and B2B Marketplace at Portal Site Entering into the $105 Trillion B2B Market

Stamford, CT June 14, 2004

The Stamford, Connecticut-based Gartner Group sees "the online B2B market reaching seven percent of a predicted $105 Trillion in total global sales transactions...The study reports that 35% of the online B2B are companies who develop B2B marketplaces -- so-called &39;e-market makers&39; -- will be a key driving force for B2B e-commerce."

Additionally, the Gartner Group is integrating a Lending Tree model, which attracts 1.7 million visitors a month, aiming at the $3 Trillion-a-year mortgage market (Entire Industry (5)) and the $60 Billion (Niche Market (5b)) a year in real estate agent housing sale commissions.

A survey by the National Association of Realtors showed 71% of shoppers begin their real estate search online, up from 41% in 2001. 30% of mortgage business of $1 Trillion will be conducted over the Net by 2005.

Chris Edwards

President

Leads.com Inc.

877-508-7467

chris@shop4leads.com

http://www.leads.com
http://www.buyerst.com

ExpressCopy.com Appoints Dion Bonnell as Chief Financial Officer

Portland, OR 18, 2011 Expresscopy.com, a nationwide online digital printing company, specializing in fast, affordable direct mail postcards for both business marketing and personal projects, announced today the appointment of Dion Bonnell as the Chief Financial Officer.

Bonnell comes to ExpressCopy with a wealth of experience as Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Operations from companies such as Paramount Graphics, Eagle Press, and FedEx Kinkos.

As ExpressCopy’s Chief Financial Officer, Bonnell will lead and manage the office of finance and administration, including the oversight of all finance, accounting, budgeting, and analysis within the company.

“We are happy to have Dion join our management team at ExpressCopy. His tremendous knowledge in the digital printing industry coupled with his in-depth financial and operations knowledge will support ExpressCopy.com’s rapid growth and acquisition strategies,said Vinod Gupta, chairman of ExpressCopy.

ExpressCopy.com is a division of Printonia, which is currently seeking other digital marketing and email marketing companies to join its portfolio of companies.

Travelex Launches Online Price Promise on Its New Currency Exchange Website for U.S. Travelers

New York November 22, 2010

Travelex, the world’s largest non-bank foreign exchange currency provider, is providing attractive new online incentives for Americans seeking to purchase foreign currency, with the launch of its newly redesigned website backed by their innovative “Online Price Promiseavailable exclusively for online transactions at http://www.us.travelex.com.

Travelex’s new Online Price Promise will match a lower published price on complete online foreign currency orders, inclusive of delivery, fees and charges, allowing customers to receive the greatest value for their dollars. For instance, if a customer locates a lower offer on another website on the same business day that they purchased with Travelex at http://www.us.travelex.com, they can simply contact a Travelex foreign exchange specialist within 14 days to receive the difference between the prices.

Travelex online customers will not only receive the best price for online retail foreign currency, but also will benefit from 0% commission on transactions. An additional benefit, according to Jon Dario, president of Travelex Currency Services Inc., is that website customers can take advantage of Travelex’s 0 Fee Buy Backservice, in the event they return with unused currency a strong likelihood, according to market research. The $0 Fee Buy Back offer allows customers to return their leftover currency at any retail store within the United States and receive Travelex’s best rate possible without any markup or fees and is available for free with all online purchases.

“Research shows that U.S. travelers bring back more than $2 billion in unused foreign currency, but don’t exchange it,said Dario. “In today’s economic climate, consumers want to ensure that they are getting great value for their unused foreign currency when they return home. $0 Fee Buy Back does just that while our Online Price Promise takes the guess work out of currency exchange.

Dario also noted the difficulty North American travelers are having with their magnetic stripe credit and debit cards overseas, making it all the more essential that travelers purchase foreign currency before arrival.

“We’ve found that Americans, more than any other market, are taking cash abroad to avoid the hassle of using credit or debit cards,said Dario. “Our Online Price Promise provides peace of mind for travelers and they are getting the best value for the foreign currency.

With the launch of http://www.us.travelex.com, U.S. customers will have improved transaction capability and receive their currency quickly with available options such as next day and Saturday delivery.

Travelex’s new website has also enhanced the range of its products such as providing the ability to purchase and reload Cash Passport cards online in real time. The website features useful tools including a new and easy to use currency converter.

According to Dario, the website is an essential tool to meet the growing demand for pre-trip foreign currency purchases.

“As the demand for pre-trip foreign currency purchases grows, our financially savvy customers are seeking convenience, but also don’t want to pay more than they need to,said Dario. “Our new website simplifies the search for the best currency exchange and we’re looking forward to continuing to find new safe and smart ways to make the travel experience easier for our customers.

For more information on Travelex and to view its new website, visit http://www.us.travelex.com.

The world leader in the foreign currency exchange business, with more stores, more airport stores, and more annual transactions than any competitor, Travelex also provides currency services solutions to more than 1,500 partner financial institutions in the U.S. and Canada, including banks, credit unions and travel agents.

About Travelex:
Travelex is the world leader in the foreign currency exchange business, with more stores, more airport relationships, and more annual transactions than any competitor. Travelex has more than 700 retail stores across 30 countries at key airport, seaport, rail and tourist locations. Travelex is also one of the world&39;s leading providers of outsourced travel money to banks, credit unions and travel agents. Among the company’s innovative services is its Cash Passport, which allows users to pre-load their travel budget onto a convenient card for use in millions of ATMs, shops, and restaurants worldwide. Cash Passport is a PIN and signature protected and is not connected to the user’s bank account, thereby minimizing the risk of identity theft from loss or theft of a Cash Passport.

Contacts: Michelle Horn / Terence Gallagher
Lou Hammond&Associates
Tel: (212) 891-0266 / (212) 891-0211
E-mail: michelleh(at)lhammond(dot)com/terryg(at)lhammond(dot)com

The First Nationwide Online Reservation System for the Pet Care Industry Has Been Launched

Chicago, Ill. August 24, 2005

FindPetCare.com, Inc has launched the first nationwide pet care reservation system enabling pet owners and travel agencies to make real-time reservations for pet boarding and daycare while connecting thousands of U.S. pet care providers with millions of pet owners nationwide.

"We aim to enable over 70 millions of American families that own at least one pet to conveniently include pet boarding or daycare into their vacation plans while increasing pet owner awareness of professional pet care services. Until now there was no easy way a pet owner or travel agent could have shopped for the best service and made, in 5 minutes, an online reservation to board a pet and pay with a credit card," said Loriana Kirlig, co-founder of FindPetCare.com, Inc.

"Our goal is to bring all pet care providers online, such as boarding kennels or daycare facilities, to start accepting guaranteed online reservations, 24/7, from thousands of travel agencies and millions of pet owners. I love the convenience of online services such as Expedia that show you pictures, prices and everything you need to make a quick decision from the comfort of your home. We enable the same thing for pet care industry," Mrs. Kirlig added.

The today&194;’s process of finding a service provider that best suits each pet owner&194;’s individual needs is complex. It means using a &194;“Yellow pages&194;” like service, call several providers and ask for service details, requirements and prices and then analyze the gathered information. This is an extremely time consuming process, especially if the pet owner has specific needs such as custom feeding or medication dispensing.

FindPetCare.com, Inc enables pet care providers such as boarding kennels to accept real-time reservations from travel agents and online customers through the Internet which leads to a lower vacancy rate, while showing service pictures and details to build pet owner trust in the professional pet care.

FindPetCare.com, Inc can be reached at: toll-free (888) 331-0518, http://www.FindPetCare.com. A guided vendor presentation is available online at: http://www.FindPetCare.com/pr

About FindPetCare.com, Inc

Founded in 2004, FindPetCare.com enables pet care service providers to grow their business by accepting real-time reservations from millions of Internet users and travel agents. FindPetCare.com puts its state of the art proprietary software and years of expertise in running reservation systems for the travel industry, to work for the benefit of the pet care industry by aggregating the pet care service supply to meet the fast growing demand. FindPetCare.com also brings complementary cross-sell and packaging booking functionality to third parties on a private-label basis and at the same time empowering travel agents to enrich their service offering.

Expedia, Expedia.com, and the airplane logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the United States, Canada and/or other countries.

ETTSI Launches Luxury Travel Fundraiser Website -- http://www.LuxuryTravelFundraiser.com

Daytona Beach, FL (Vocus/) January 06, 2011

ETTSI Incentive Premiums, a licensed and bonded seller of travel for more than 19 years and a pioneer in the travel certificates industry, today announced the launch of their Luxury Travel Fundraiser web site at http://www.LuxuryTravelFundraiser.com.

Fundraising is a multi-billion dollar business where fundraising groups are constantly seeking out the best fundraising products and programs. These products must present a high perceived value and a strong incentive to buy because fundraising groups typically use unskilled salespeople that need to easily gain the support of their friends and relatives to help them reach their goals. ETTSI’s travel certificates have consistently achieved excellent results for all types of businesses that use sales incentives so it’s not surprising that they have developed a following in the fundraising industry from groups that enjoy selling these types of products.

Fundraising groups are much more difficult to market to because, unlike retail and wholesale businesses who have long term employees that are accessible during regular business hours, the fundraising group’s decision maker is usually a group member’s parent that works during limited free time and they tend to change roles frequently as their children grow up. Fundraising is quite seasonal so a year later when it’s time to follow up with the fundraising chairperson from before, their child has moved up to a different group and they are usually not in charge of fundraising anymore nor do they know who took their old job or who is in charge of the group in which they now belong. This makes it absolutely necessary to have a web site targeted to fundraising so as to stay in front of these groups.

“Like most everyone these days, fundraising groups like to search the internet to see what programs are available so you have to have a special web site that is designed just for that purpose.explains Frank Bertalli, President and CEO of ETTSI, “So, in preparation for the upcoming fundraising season, we decided to launched a new web site: LuxuryTravelFundraiser.com that was developed specifically for the fundraising industry and optimized so that fundraising groups who are searching for the fundraising products we offer can easily find them.

The web site features 3 of ETTSI’s most popular high end travel certificates: Travel Extravaganza which offers 14 travel certificates totaling over $20,000 in value, the Travel Cash Booklet with 26 travel coupon from $25 to $100 totaling $2000 in value, and the newly enhanced CondoVacationClub.com memberships where members can search over 130 travel vendors on ETTSI’s 8 travel search engines for travel arrangements at wholesale prices. Also included on the web site is a description of the fundraising program and the opportunity to register a fundraising group and place fundraising orders online with any major credit or debit card. For groups that wish to pay by check there is a downloadable check order form as well.

Fundraising groups may visit the web site at: http://www.LuxuryTravelFundraiser.com for additional information. A color brochure is available to download and print and there is a form you can submit to have an ETTSI Fundraising Counselor assist you. For more information about ETTSI and their broad range of Travel Certificates, Incentive Premiums and Employee Rewards, please visit http://www.ETTSI.com, or you can contact Frank Bertalli at PR@ETTSI.com or call 1-866-224-9650.

About ETTSI
ETTSI (Executive Tour and Travel Services, Inc.) is registered in the states of Florida, California and Nevada as a Seller of Travel. FLST22752, CAST2065118-40, NV2006-0132, offering a full service travel agency as well as many travel and cruise packages in the form of travel certificates. For more than 19 years ETTSI has lead the sales incentives industry with unique programs and products always striving to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of the sales organizations they serve. Through the sale of their certificates, ETTSI provides travel accommodations to 1000&39;s of travelers each year garnering them preferred pricing and preferences with airlines, motels, and many other travel related services. Please visit http://www.ETTSI.com for more information about the company and its products and services.

New Vested Residual Income Opportunity Launched by UnlimitedFreeTravelCertificates.com

Collierville, TN August 3, 2008

UnlimitedFreeTravelCertificates.com announced today that their new vested residual income hybrid direct selling opportunity is now available for the first time to the public.

UnlimitedFreeTravelCertificates.com provides individuals an opportunity to earn the highest vested residual monthly commissions paid by anyone in the direct selling business and to have those earnings be guaranteed for life.

UnlimitedFreeTravelCertificates.com offers "The Highest" direct sales and network marketing compensation plans available today and is one of, if not the only, direct selling companies in the world to offer this Guaranteed Vested Commission System.

UnlimitedFreeTravelCertificates.com provides small business professionals the ability to offer an unlimited number of Premium Free Travel Certificates as promotional incentives and repeat customer loyalty rewards to their customers and clients, and as employee incentives and recognition for a job well done.

For a set fee each month, small business professionals can issue as many premium free travel certificates as they wish. There are no additional usage fees or per-certificate costs to the businesses or any administrative requirements to fulfill when redeemed.

UnlimitedFreeTravelCertificates.com has engaged Ken Partain of Infinite Prosperity Group, LLC to implement their search engine marketing services to promote both their business marketing incentive program and their vested affiliate marketing opportunities.

"We feel that this is an opportunity that&39;s time has come," said Wayne Anderton, CEO and founder of UnlimitedFreeTravelCertificates.com "We are very excited about the possibilities before us to help the 50 million business owners, and MLM people, to increase their business by having the ability to issue an unlimited number of our Premium Travel Certificates!"

About UnlimitedFreeTravelCertificates.com

Created in 2007, UnlimitedFreeTravelCertificates.com was launched this month by a 30 year veteran of direct sales and network marketing, Wayne Anderton. Wayne was one of the original founders of AL Williams in the late 70&39;s (known today as Primerica Financial Services). UnlimitedFreeTravelCertificates.com specializes in offering exactly what the name implies, the ability for a small and independent business to offer an unlimited number of premium free travel certificates to promote their business that is better than the airline or credit card industry offers for a small fraction of the cost. Additional information can be found at their web site at http://www.UnlimitedFreeTravelCertificates.com.

About Infinite Prosperity Group, LLC

Infinite Prosperity Group, LLC was founded by Ken Partain in 2005 to provide search engine marketing and search engine optimization services to small business owners and independent professionals in the Dallas - Ft. Worth Metroplex and around the world. Infinite Prosperity Group, LLC specializes in integrating online and offline marketing strategies to present a consistent marketing message across all mediums. Additional information can be found at their web site at http://www.WeMakeMarketingEasy.com.

Americas Business Capital Appoints Edward H. Schrufer President / CEO

Lancaster, PA 18, 2011 Americas Business Capital, a national capital services firm specializing in business financing and commercial real estate loans, today announced the appointment of Edward H. Schrufer as its President & CEO. A graduate of the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania and the College for Financial Planning, Edward H. Schrufer has been actively engaged in the financial services industry for the past 30 years.

Most recently, he founded “The Brass Ringin January 2011 to provide financial education and personal financial analysis for executives, professionals and business owners as well as life and wealth coaching support services for advisors. Before founding “The Brass Ring,he was a Financial Advisor for Addison Avenue Financial Partners from October 2007 to January 2011. Over the years he has been a Financial Consultant for Smith Barney and Washington Mutual Bank as well as an Investment Advisor for the Wealth Legacy Network and a Senior Financial Executive for Citicorp Investment Services.

From 1994 to 1997, he was a Regional Manager for Wells Fargo Private Client Group in Silicon Valley managing a team of 150 advisors and $3 Billion in assets. Throughout the years, Mr. Schrufer has also been active in residential & commercial lending. Americas Business Capital has recently diversified its excellent selection of capital products to serve hospitality, retail, manufacturers and industry as well as its traditional small business and franchise clients. The capital services firm is expanding its team of experienced business advisors and business analysts. Mark Eric Bailey, Founder & Board Chairman noted “At Americas Business Capital we have always been committed to three things: providing (1) an excellent selection of capital products, (2) exceptional services and (3) extraordinary care for our clients. With this overall commitment in mind it is our privilege to appoint Edward H. Schrufer as President and CEO enabling us to forge ahead in delivering capital solutions for America’s business. After all, small business drives economic recoveries through innovation and job creation. Furthermore Edward’s formal financial services education, experience, and focus on financial education are traits we envision as essential to success in today’s tumultuous global economy.

In accepting the Americas Business Capital opportunity, Edward H. Schrufer commented, “Small business, manufacturers and industry will lift America out of its present economic doldrums. Here at Americas Business Capital we are uniquely positioned to meet the capital needs of growing companies.

About Americas Business Capital

Americas Business Capital is a national business finance & commercial real estate capital services firm offering debt, equipment leasing, SBA & USDA, asset based lending placement and advisory services. The company which serves all private business, manufacturing, small industry and professional practices has grown over the past 30 years. Commercial real estate capital services extend to hospitality, mixed use, retail, multi-family, office buildings, industrial / manufacturing, senior care and non-owner occupied investment properties.

For more information, interested parties may contact Mark Eric Bailey, Americas Business Capital Board Chairman at 800-324-8809 toll-free or mark(at)americasbusinesscapital(dot)com or Edward H. Schrufer, President & CEO at 800-324-8809 toll-free or edschrufer(at)americasbusinesscapital(dot)com , follow the company on Twitter @AmericasBizCap or visit the company’s website at http://www.americasbusinesscapital.com

Paul Boyd has been Named Executive Vice President of Business Development at MeritCard Solutions

Dallas, TX July 23, 2008

Mr. Boyd brings more than 16 years of leadership experience to MeritCard. His appointment to VP is part of the company&39;s dedicated strategy to partnerships and referral opportunities.

"I&39;ve worked with Paul in the past and was always impressed with his work ethic and etiquette," says Chris Shultz, Chief Operating Officer and Principal at MeritCard. "We set extremely high standards and the addition of Paul to our team ensures continuity in these standards. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge of the industry and a progressive approach to partnerships."

Prior to joining MeritCard, Boyd served as director of partner relations for JP Morgan Chase and their processing branch Chase Paymentech. During his tenure, he helped designed a comprehensive framework for partner solutions, services and support.

In addition to his professional life Paul brings with him a sense of adventure as an avid traveler and amateur sky-diver and paraglider. "We&39;re excited to have his enthusiasm and passion around the office, these tend to be very contagious attitudes," says Shultz.

About Merit Card
Merit Card has earned a reputation for secure and reliable payment solutions to the medium to large size business market with over 60 years of executive experience in the card processing industry. MeritCard systems and processing environments are designed to meet the specific needs of our merchants. Low interchange rates, effective customer service, the latest technology and industry-leading products differentiate us from the competition.

One in 10 Londoners Leave Foreign Currency To Last Minute

London, UK November 8, 2009

Research from the Post Office has discovered 10 per cent of Londoners leave purchasing their foreign currency until the day before travel or even at the airport . Meanwhile, 13 per cent don&39;t even consider purchasing foreign currency before travelling - instead opting to use their credit and debit cards abroad, or buying foreign currency at their destination .

The Post Office research also revealed that UK holidaymakers waste &163;20m every year by buying foreign currency at the airport , as travellers can be charged as much as &163;86 extra in commission fees and less favourable foreign exchange rates.

The Post Office advises that UK holidaymakers should plan ahead and buy their foreign currency in advance of travelling on holiday, as significant savings could be made from buying foreign currency at the airport or upon arrival. Using credit or debit cards abroad can incur significant costs and subject unwary travellers to poorer foreign exchange rates and high commission fees.

Sarah Munro, Head of Post Office Travel Services, said: "Make sure you buy commission-free foreign currency in advance and avoid purchasing it at airports. It is also advisable not to withdraw travel money abroad at ATMs as you will be charged and it can be difficult to keep tabs on your spending."

Plastic Cards: No More Trips Back to Hotel Front Desk

Perkins, OK April 9, 2008

CLS Plasticard One of America&39;s largest producers of plastic cards known for its high-end, durable plastic card printing, including gift cards, loyalty cards, membership cards, vip cards, hotel cards, offers tips for travelers this summer who&39;s plans include a hotel stay.

The summer travel season is fast approaching and most families are making plans that include a stay at a hotel or motel. At one time or another we have all had problems using the plastic cards that hotels issue for room keys.

One of the most common problems is having your room key stop working. It worked the first night you checked in, however the next day after returning from some fun in the sun you find that your room key no longer works in the door. This is always frustrating because you either have your arms full or little Johnny had to go to the bathroom thirty minutes ago and was told to wait until you return back to the hotel.Inevitably you end up making a trip back to the front desk.The staff at the front desk have no answers except to ask.Did you get your room key next to a magnet Do you have any type of magnetic device in your pockets Do not let the room key rub up against the magnetic stripe on your credit cards. You are told that this will also sometimes erase the information on the room key.

Yes, it is possible that a magnet can erase the information on the room key but few people run around with magnets in their pockets. The magnetic stripe of one plastic card will not affect another. The problem is usually a direct result of an error by the hotel staff.

Here are a few tips that can help make sure you do not encounter this problem:

Upon check in make sure your room key is valid for the full length of your stay.Most door locking system encoders have a default for the length of stay. Typically this is set for a one night stay.The hotel staff person checking in people needs to take the time to enter the correct length of stay when making the room key. If you plan on staying for three nights the room key should be valid for all three nights. If not this will cause unnecessary and untimely trips back to the front desk as described above.

Ask questions of the person making your room key. Is the room key valid for my entire stay

If you leave your room and forget to take your room key with you, make sure when you stop by the front desk you request a duplicate room key and not a new room key. If the front desk issues a new room key it will work; however, any other room keys made prior to that new room key will no longer work, including the one, or ones, left in your room.

So make sure to ask for a duplicate room key when room keys have been left in the room.

It is important to remember with most door locking systems. When you loose a room key you need to have the front desk issue new ones . It is not the making of the new room key that invalidates the lost room key It is invalidated only when the new room key is inserted in the door lock.

Click Here to link to Cardjett

Confused.com Reveals Charity Credit Cards Are Not So Giving

Cardiff, Wales November 13, 2010

New findings from Confused.com reveal that charity credit cards may not be as &39;giving&39; as customers think. After analysing the rewards given on 45 of the UK&39;s top charity credit cards Confused.com found that those wishing to be charitable could provide greater support by ditching their charity card and replacing it with a cash-back reward card instead, potentially earning up to three times as much &39;cash&39; which can then be donated to a charity of the cardholder&39;s choice.
&160;
Charitable giving in 2009 was 11% lower than 2008 according to the Charities Aid Foundation, no doubt a result of the tougher economic climate.&160; With 45 charity credit cards (http://www.confused.com/credit-cards ) currently available, accounting for 18% of the cards on the market, many providers are offering philanthropists the chance to do their bit without dipping into their own pockets.&160; However the &39;rewards&39; earned for charities via these bespoke cards are significantly lower than standard reward or cash-back cards.

For example, someone spending &163;1,000 a month on the Greenpeace Platinum card from Co-operative Bank would earn a donation of &163;47.50 over a year.&160; In comparison spending the same amount over a year on an American Express Platinum Cashback card would result in &163;204 cashback, which could then be donated to the charity of the customer&39;s choice, meaning an extra &163;156.50 for the good cause.

Chris Griffiths, head of Credit Cards, at Confused.com, said: "Charity credit cards offer the chance to give to a good cause simply by using a designated card ahead of our other plastic when we&39;re shopping.&160; While they undoubtedly have honourable intentions, customers may in fact be able to make a bigger contribution by using a traditional cashback card and donating their rewards to the chosen charity themselves.
&160;
"Given that so many providers have corporate social responsibility programmes and extol their own &39;green&39; virtues it would be nice to see them apply the same standards to their charity cards as they do to their best reward cards.&160; Until then it may be better for canny customers to opt for a cashback card and make their own donation."
&160;
About Confused.com
Confused.com is one of the UK&39;s biggest and most popular price comparison (http://www.confused.com/ ) services. Launched in 2002, it generates over one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include car insurance (http://www.confused.com/ ), home insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, van insurance, motorbike insurance, breakdown cover and energy, as well as financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages (http://www.confused.com/mortgages ) and life insurance (http://www.confused.com/life-insurance ).

Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides a free, objective and unbiased comparison service. By using cutting-edge technology, it has developed a series of intelligent web-based solutions that evaluate a number of risk factors to help customers with their decision-making, subsequently finding deals on a wide-range of insurance products, financial services, utilities and more. Confused.com&39;s service is based on the most up-to-date information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators.

Confused.com is owned by the Admiral Group plc. Admiral listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2004. Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.

PR contact:
Kelly Davies
Friary House
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff
CF103AE
02920 434398

Refinance Demand InEssential Travel Warns Holidaymakers to Beware of Hidden Costscreases As Mortgage Rates Remain Near Record Lows

Wilmington, NC 29, 2011 Mortgage rates remained near the historical low point this week, resulting in a great deal of refinance activity across the US, according to mortgage rate research website, ForTheBestRate.com. Though interest rates inched up slightly over the previous week, homeowner interest in refinancing did not slow down, with refinance inquiries on ForTheBestRate.com up 77% over the previous month.

Freddie Mac, a government sponsored enterprise that purchases residential mortgage loans in the secondary market, corroborated the minor increase in mortgage rates in their weekly survey released Thursday, August 25th. The survey showed that the average rate for 30 year fixed mortgages rose to 4.22% (0.7% points) from 4.15% (0.7% points), and that 15 year fixed mortgages were also up somewhat to 3.44% (0.6% points) after averaging 3.36% (0.6% points) the week before.

5 year ARM rates however inched lower dropping to 3.07% (0.5% points), down from 3.08 (0.5% points) the week of August 18th.

"There are a lot of people hoping to take advantage of pricing this low," said Nat Criss, Managing Partner of ForTheBestRate.com. "Mortgage banks and lenders are starting to feel the effects of this demand. I spoke to one mortgage company this week and they have locked three times the number of loans this month compared to their typical volume of business. If a homeowner is interested in a refinance now is the time to get their loan in the queue."

American Financial Resources, a National mortgage lender offering conventional financing as well as low and no money down mortgage solutions such as USDA rural housing loans, FHA mortgages, and manufactured home financing, is one of those lenders dealing with the influx of applications. Shaun Hamman, VP of Residential Lending at AFR, commented, "We are working hard to accommodate as many refinance borrowers as possible, as well as work with those in need of purchase financing. These low rates can mean significant savings for homeowners, which is especially helpful in the current economic environment. We welcome the increased business, and are excited to see this great pricing sticking around for the moment."

In addition to homeowners hoping to refinance the mortgage for their primary residences, real estate investors are looking to cash in on the low rates and lower the interest they'll need to pay on investment property loans.

Below is a snapshot of mortgage rates for a variety of products listed on ForTheBestRate.com on 8/25/2011. Rates are subject to change. Please visit the site to view the criteria used in the survey.

30 Year Mortgage Rates (0 Points)
AimLoan 4.125% Note Rate 4.207% APR $1,950 Fees in APR
Amerisave 4.375% Note Rate 4.460% APR $1,995 Fees in APR

20 Year Mortgage Rates (0 Points)
Gateway Bank Mortgage 3.875% Note Rate 3.948% APR $1275 Fees in APR
AimLoan 3.875% Note Rate 3.987% APR $1,950 Fees in APR

15 Year Mortgage Rates (0 Points)
Amerisave - 3.375% Note Rate - 3.521% APR - $1,995 Fees in APR
AES Lending - 3.375% Note Rate - 3.426% APR - $700 Fees in APR

10 Year Mortgage Rates (0 Points)
Gateway Bank Mortgage - 3.250% Note Rate - 3.342% APR - $875 Fees in APR
AES Lending - 3.375% Note Rate - 3.423% APR - $450 Fees in APR

About ForTheBestRate.com
ForTheBestRate.com is a website that offers information regarding mortgages, insurance, and personal finance. ForTheBestRate.com is owned by CMG Equities, LLC based in Wilmington, North Carolina.

July 30, 2010

It’s often the last thing holidaymakers think about before they head off on their travels but those opting to drive to the airport this summer could find themselves out of pocket when arranging their airport parking, according to leading travel essentials provider EssentialTravel.co.uk.

Research by EssentialTravel.co.uk has shown that airport parking could holidaymakers 25 per cent more than they expect, due to “hidden chargeslevied by airport parking providers.

The company has revealed that a week’s airport parking, which can be booked for as little as &163;20.001, could creep up by an additional &163;5.002 once booking charges, credit card fees and cancellation waivers are taken into account.

In addition, sun-seekers could find themselves as much as &163;10.003 out of pocket if they decide to cancel their airport parking.

“Holidaymakers have grown wise to the “hidden costsassociated with low-cost airlines and are becoming experts on how to avoid them but most don’t apply the same tactics to booking their airport parking,says Stuart Bensusan, EssentialTravel.co.uk.

“Parking at the airport can be a really affordable option, but only if you do your home- work and make sure you are aware of any hidden &39;add-ons&39; or extra costs.

To help customers save money EssentialTravel.co.uk has opted to reduce or eliminate its own cancellation waivers, charges and credit card fees in time for the peak summer holiday period.4 The company has scrapped its two per cent credit card fee completely, reduced the cancellation waiver from &163;0.99 to just &163;0.50 and instead of charging a &163;9.50 cancellation charge, customers will now only forfeit &163;5.00 if they wish to cancel a booking that has been made without paying the cancellation waiver. EssentialTravel.co.uk has also reduced the cancellation notice period from 48 hours before arrival to just 12.

For further information visit http://www.essentialtravel.co.uk or call 0845 803 5434

Money Crashers Personal Finance Blog Announces 2010 New Year Giveaway Bash, Over $7,900 in Prizes

Chicago, IL 13, 2010 MoneyCrashers.com, an up-and-coming personal finance blog, has announced the Money Crashers 2010 New Year Giveaway Bash offering participants the opportunity to join the site in an effort to become more financially fit in the New Year, and the chance to win from a pool of over 100 prizes including cash, gift cards, electronics, financial tools, and personal finance books. The total prize pool currently stands at a value of over $7,900, including $2,395 in cash and $1,055 in gift cards.

"Money Crashers is throwing this interactive Giveaway Bash to help anyone out there who needs even a bit of motivation and perhaps a little boost as we all try to meet our financial goals in 2010 and beyond ," said Andrew Schrage, co-owner and administrator of Money Crashers. "We also hope this contest makes people aware that they are not alone in their financial struggles and that Money Crashers is here to help out."

Money Crashers is teaming up with some of the top personal finance bloggers and authors as well as some terrific providers of essential financial tools like Mint.com and TurboTax. The prize pool includes:

1 $500 cash prize, 2 $250+ cash prizes, and 6 $100 cash prizes

2 Amazon Kindles

the entire line of iPods

16 gifts cards worth at least $50

10 copies of Quicken Premier 2010 and 10 copies of TurboTax Online Premier

Best-selling personal finance books

“Things have been extremely difficult for a lot of people financially these past couple of years,said Schrage. “Money Crashers not only wants to help people out in the short-term by giving away some great prizes, but also the long-term by providing the financial advice and tools necessary to achieve a sense of financial stability and freedom.

Interested readers can enter the New Year Giveaway Bash which runs through January 31, 2010 by performing various actions on the Money Crashers website and on different social media networks. The Giveaway is free to enter.

http://www.moneycrashers.com/new-year-2010-giveaway-bash/

About Money Crashers:

The mission of Money Crashers as a personal finance blog is to develop a community of people who are trying to make financially sound decisions. The website strives to educate individuals in making wise decisions about credit and debt, investing, education, real estate, insurance, spending, and more.

Money Crashers helps people, young and old, avoid financial predators and assists them in taking control of their money and their future by demonstrating common sense and self-control. The Money Crashers goal is to guide people in their journey to becoming financially independent, sound, and secure.

Contact:

Gyutae Park
Money Crashers
http://www.moneycrashers.com/contact/

Professor of Finance Helps Young Children Understand Money Management With New Storybook Series

Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 14, 2010 The recent passage of financial reforms attempts to cover numerous shortcomings in our existing financial environment. In such a complicated economy, it is more important than ever to provide children with a foundation of good financial skill set.

Inspired by his wish to prepare his two young sons to be “good financial citizens,California State University-Dominguez Hills professor of finance Dr. Prakash Dheeriya authored Finance for Kidz, a 20-volume series of books that teaches children about basic financial concepts such as wants, needs, inflation, deflation, money management, identity theft, personal finance and planning for the future.

Finance For Kidz is designed as an educational tool as well as an enjoyable read at home for parents and their children. “We teach our kids to be careful about all sorts of dangerous things, such as when crossing the street, or washing hands before eating,said Dr. Dheeriya. “We spend a lot of time on their physical health, but rarely do we teach them anything about their financial health.

Written in storybook form for elementary age school children, the series explains key financial concepts through children’s day-to-day experiences and in a jargon-free language. Dheeriya says the main thing children need to learn about personal finance is that “money is just a tool.

“If they understand what it can and cannot do, then they will be able to control it, rather than live life as if money controlled them,he says.

Dheeriya, a frequent speaker at conferences, chambers of commerce and rotary clubs, has taught finance and investments for more than 20 years. He lives near Los Angeles with his wife and children.

http://www.finance4kidz.com/

Texas Society of CPAs Features Financial Literacy Videos

Dallas April 04, 2011 As a way to promote April as Financial Literacy Month and to help families tackle the strains of today’s economic struggles, the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants features a collection of personal finance videos that address issues many Americans are currently facing.

More than ever before, people are looking for ways to save money and TSCPA, offers free, non-commercial financial literacy resources that include the online videos.

As part of this financial literacy outreach, TSCPA maintains a consumer website, http://www.ValueYourMoney.org that provides personal finance information categorized in life stages such as childhood, high school, college, parenthood and life crisis.

In addition to the videos at http://www.valueyourmoney.org/personal-finance-video/index.asp, visitors of the site may upload activity sheets, a budgeting worksheet, a pet ownership form, a nine month financial planning guide for expectant parents, a “Texans for Financial LiteracyFacebook Group page, and relevant money management materials.

In addition, TSCPA posted a 0 Family Finance Tips for 30 Days in Aprillist to help teach families about financial responsibility, and to pick up 30 days worth of smart saving and spending tips.

TSCPA also compiled a list of smart money management and low-cost to no-cost summer savings activities in English and Spanish.

ABOUT FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH
In 2000, The Jumpstart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy began promoting April as Financial Literacy for Youth Month and in 2003 the United States Congress showed its support. Senate Resolution 48 and House Resolution 127 asked President George W. Bush to declare April as Financial Literacy for Youth Month.

At that time, governors of eight states had already named the month of April as such. April was named National Financial Literacy Month by the passing of Senate Resolution 316 with unanimous consent, championed by Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii).

ABOUT TSCPA
TSCPA (http://www.tscpa.org) is a nonprofit, voluntary, professional organization representing Texas CPAs. The society has 20 local chapters statewide and has more than 29,000 members, one of the largest in-state memberships of any state CPA society in the United States. TSCPA is committed to serving the public interest with programs that advance the highest standards of ethics and practice within the CPA profession.

Wholesale Truck and Finance Partners with Metro Mobile, LLC in Kansas City, MO

Auburn Hills, MI 8, 2010 To help make the process of getting into a new truck smoother, Wholesale Truck and Finance is now bringing most of its trucks to Kansas City, MO to be inspected by Ed Davis, owner of Metro Mobile LLC. Ed has been traveling to inspect Wholesale Truck and Finance&39;s trucks personally and make sure that they are in great condition for drivers. To be thorough, Ed takes an oil sample and has it analyzed to see how the engine is running and get a great idea about any problems that might be on the horizon. Now, Wholesale Truck and Finance will be bringing trucks to Davis&39;s lot in Kansas City for re-conditioning and will fly drivers there for delivery. This way, drivers can actually have their truck delivered by the mechanic who inspected it. Who better to ask any questions about a new truck

This new partnership will also offer drivers other advantages. With the amount of business Wholesale Truck and Finance does with Metro Mobile, they can qualify for better pricing and offer owner/operators more. Things like new brakes on every truck, and the option of getting new virgin tires if a truck doesn’t already have them. By bringing trucks to the same central location, Wholesale Truck and Finance knows that they will be detailed, inspected, and in the best possible condition when they are picked up.

With the price of trucks continuing to increase Wholesale Truck and Finance will continue to bring about programs like these to help save drivers time and money. One piece of equipment no driver should be without is an APU. Drivers who would like to make a small investment into your business that will help the environment, and pay for itself very quickly, should ask about having an APU put on their truck.

About Wholesale Truck & Finance:
Wholesale Truck and Finance has partnered with certain carriers to provide direct financing to owner/operators through Wholesale Truck and Finance. Together Wholesale Truck and Finance and carriers strive to provide a unique approach to equipping today’s transportation entrepreneur with the tools to get on the road toward employment independence. Their philosophy is simple; put good drivers in good trucks and let them work.

For more information about Metro Mobile LLC, please visit them online.

MarriedtoaMiser.com, a personal finance blog with a twist!

Alpharetta, GA 12, 2009 So you think just because one of us is a Financial Planner that our financial lives are perfect Think Again! Co-Authors James Daniel, CFP&174; and Hope Daniel are adding a new twist to the personal finance blogosphere by sharing differing perspectives on everyday finance topics.

MarriedtoaMiser.com was created to offer an entertaining but also informative look at money, marriage and meeting in the middle from a real life point of view.

Realizing that their lives were not any different from other couples when it came to personal finance issues, both James and Hope decided to launch this blog as a way to share their experiences.

"We have different views on money, the classic spender vs. saver issue that is common in many households," stated Hope Daniel. "The blog covers a variety of issues such as budgeting, spending, investing and really any topic that relates to family finances, but from a husband and wife&39;s differing perpectives."

"The assumption that most people make is that having a financial planner in the household means that there is never any debate on money issues," stated James Daniel, CFP&174; "We decided to create this blog to show that we go through the same personal finance issues that every other household does, even if we should know better."

About MarriedtoaMiser.com:
MarriedtoaMiser.com is the latest free personal finance website launched by The Advisory Firm, LLC a financial planning company located in Alpharetta, Georgia. The Advisory Firm also operates myVizer.com the Web&39;s First Personal Finance Challenge Site.

In Uncertain Times: A Helping Hand For ‘Non PrimeDrivers

Petersfield, West Susex, UK 08, 2011 moneybarn, the UK’s leading specialist car funder today announced the launch of a new car finance product focused on providing no- nonsense ‘primelevels of service, affordability and flexibility for the growing number of British consumers who are now viewed as ‘non primeby UK financial institutions. There are increasing numbers of people looking for bad credit car finance - a sign of more and more being turned away by high street and dealer forecourt lenders.

moneybarn, previously known as Duncton plc, have been trusted for nearly 20 years to finance cars for consumers with unusual or ‘non conformingcircumstances, and with the introduction of a unique decision making process now have more freedom to responsibly lend to customers who are no longer accepted by prime lenders. More than just a credit score, this takes into account a further four variables - the trade value of the car, levels of customer debt, income and address stability and affordability over the duration of the agreement. This approach is both responsible and inclusive to those consumers looking for what is known as bad credit car finance

Global credit information provider, Equifax revealed this year that 1 in 3 consumers who applied for a credit card in the last 12 months were refused credit because they had a poor credit rating * and according to Credit Action, more than 100,000 people will be declared insolvent or bankrupt and over half a million Consumer County Court Judgements (CCJs) will be issued in the UK this year alone. **

Set against this economic climate, the need for all families to have access to reliable and affordable transport is greater than ever. Often constrained by their own failures pre-credit crunch, banks have had no choice but to tighten their lending criteria and squeeze out consumers with less than perfect credit histories. Peter Minter, moneybarn’s Managing Director for the past 8 years describes the problem faced by consumers when rejected by their banks or prime car finance companies,

“The alternative to high street banks can be either be unscrupulous lenders and extortionate rates, or the prospect of being forced into unsuitable cars with tied car and finance agreements where the consumer pays dramatically over the odds for both their car and the finance product. By allowing our customers the freedom to choose a car from the dealer of their choice and still offering competitive rates, we offer an ethical and responsible alternative.

As the actual lender, moneybarn is able to consider each applicant, view every case on its merits and tailor competitive funding to fit as Shamus Hodgson, Commercial Director at moneybarn describes,

“There are a growing number of British consumers who are finding themselves outside of the mainstream finance world, in no small part brought on by the economic circumstances of the past three years. Unlike banks who are tied to rigid credit scoring, we take a wider view of personal circumstances and remain very much an asset based lender this means we are able and willing to responsibly lend to customers who are currently marginalised by high street lenders.

*Equifax Credit Card Survey 2680 respondents in total - January 2011 (http://www.equifax.co.uk)
** Credit Action Debt Statistics - June 2011 (http://www.creditaction.org.uk)

CFO Magazine Launches Redesigned Website

New York, NY 01, 2011 CFO Publishing today unveils a new website design intended to give finance executives easier access to the critical information they need to make better decisions.

The new CFO.com is organized around seven core topics, enabling users to quickly and more easily find the information they need. A simple, intuitive navigation system directs users to major destination pages in these areas:

Accounting & Tax

Banking & Capital Markets

Risk & Compliance

Strategy & Operations

Human Capital & Careers

Small & Midsize Business

Technology

In addition to improved navigation and layout, the new CFO.com delivers an expanded array of content that speaks to the business goals of senior finance executives. Major site features include:

Increased daily content on more finance topics than ever before.

Expert columnists offering practical advice on the issues and challenges that CFOs care about most.

An enhanced Blog section, in which award-winning CFO editors and special contributors share their thoughts and insights on the latest happenings in corporate finance.

Improved social media tools that enable users to more easily comment, recommend, and share CFO content across the web.

Enhanced search capabilities that make it easier for users to pinpoint the exact information they need.

Access to nearly a dozen free e-newsletters to help keep finance executives up to date on topics of particular interest to them.

Links to additional resources on the web, hand-picked by CFO editors.

A library of White Papers and Webcasts, covering everything from regulatory rulings to best practices in finance, technology, compliance, and more.

“The goal of the new CFO.com is to create a more powerful, personally tailored experience for visitors,said Julia Homer, Executive VP and Chief Content Officer. “The site delivers added value to our audience by providing user-friendly access to the best practices and current information they need.

Today’s launch is the first step in an ongoing effort to bring users a more valuable experience on CFO.com. CFO Publishing will continue to roll out improvements to its website throughout 2011; check out the latest developments at http://www.cfo.com/tour.

About CFO Publishing: CFO Publishing LLC is the leading business-to-business media brand focused on the information needs of senior finance executives. The business consists of CFO magazine, CFO.com, CFO Research Services, CFO Conferences and CFOmetrix. CFO’s award-winning editorial content makes it a valued resource for more than half a million financial executives. This loyal, influential audience makes CFO Publishing an effective marketing partner for a wide range of blue-chip companies.

Finance for Life, Premium Finance Industry Leader, Continues Getting Cases Funded Despite Industry Turmoil

Memphis, TN 14, 2008 Finance For Life, LLC, announced today that it continues to maintain credible funding sources for life insurance premium financing programs for seniors. In an apparent shut down of several funding sources, it has been noted that as many as six lenders have lost their funding sources or have had a delay in receiving their funding. This has caused a sudden and unexpected cessation of the funding of many life insurance premium finance cases. Agents and their clients have been left in shock and are scrambling to find reliable funders.

Ronnie Katz, CPA, President of Finance For Life announced, "Finance For Life has confirmed with several of its funding sources that cases are continuing to fund in spite of the recent news. Finance For Life deals only with credible funding sources that go to great lengths to assure their funding is solid and that they maintain good carrier relationships. Our lenders are able to do this because they have instituted proper due diligence procedures to assure that both submitting producers and cases are credible. Finance For Life also performs its own in-house due diligence process in dealing with producers and advisors to maintain the utmost integrity in dealing with lenders and carriers."

Finance For Life is committed to excellence in service and personal and professional attention to all cases. As such, Finance For Life is positioned to absorb a substantial case load for those looking to place cases that lenders have been unable to fund.

About Finance For Life
Founded in 2009 by Ronnie Katz, CPA, Finance For Life was created to eliminate the confusion and red tape that often accompanies premium financing. FFL prides itself on being able to offer a variety of life insurance premium financing solutions, including Hybrid premium financing. Whether your case is large, small or difficult to finance, the experienced team at FFL will find the premium financing that fits your specific needs.

To receive more information about Finance For Life, please contact Ronnie Katz, Company President at 877-763-0098 or by email, info@financeforlife.com.

Loyalty Rewards Card Members Choose Electronics Over Home Improvements for Redemptions

St. Louis October 17, 2005

It appears more Americans would rather play with their high-tech toys than make improvements to their homes, according to Maritz Loyalty Marketing&39;s Almanac, a yearly analysis of the redemption activity for all Maritz Loyalty Marketing clients. When it comes to the top reward choices, the data shows that American consumers have shifted their preference from home improvement rewards to the latest electronics. Redemptions for Best Buy gift certificates moved ahead of Home Depot in popularity among loyalty rewards card customers as compared to the previous year&39;s redemptions.

Maritz Loyalty Marketing, the world leader in credit card consumer loyalty programs with nine out of the top 10 U.S. banks as clients, found that gift certificates currently are the most popular reward type. Following is a breakdown of reward types by popularity:

57 percent of loyalty reward card customers redeem for gift certificates;

37 percent redeem for in-kind rewards such as lower APR, cash back and lower/no fees;

2.7 percent redeem for travel; and

2.6 percent redeem for merchandise.

The high redemption rate for gift certificates might lead some to believe they are the best item for customer rewards programs to offer, but according to Gail Sneed, director of professional services, Maritz Loyalty Marketing, creating a successful rewards program isn&39;t that simple.

Rewards that Build Loyalty

"While it may appear merchandise and travel are not as popular among rewards card clients, successful programs offer a range of rewards specifically targeted to customer segments," reveals Sneed. "The top banks understand that to attract customers and retain those that may not spend at an elevated level, they need to offer cash back, low APRs and lower fees, as well as gift certificates that don&39;t take a lot of points to earn. But to build loyal customers who will stick with their card for a long time, and to appeal to higher-income earners, banks need to offer a variety of merchandise and travel rewards that customers can work towards earning, while they continue to use the card."

When analyzing in-kind offerings, such as cash back, APR reductions and statement credits, Maritz Loyalty Marketing found a preference among rewards card members for cash back (62 percent preferred) versus statement credits (38 percent preferred). According to Sneed, even though it&39;s human nature to want cash in hand, card members should choose the credit so that they can reduce future interest payments by paying down an existing account balance.

"Both customers and credit card companies need to be smart about choosing their rewards," said Sneed. "Thinking long-term as opposed to instant gratification is always the best choice for banks and card members."

Some other results from Maritz Loyalty Marketing&39;s yearly rewards redemption data include:

Portable MP3 players broke into the top 10 merchandise items redeemed at no. 9, behind such items as DVD players (no. 1), Omaha Steaks (no. 3) and golf balls (no. 6);

Electronics (video games, televisions, stereos, DVD players, etc.) received approximately 40 percent of the overall redemptions in the merchandise category;

Home Goods (appliances, furniture, art, etc.) received nearly 20 percent of all merchandise category redemptions; and

Entertainment (home video, music and magazine subscriptions) received approximately 14 percent of redemptions within the merchandise category.

About Maritz Loyalty Marketing

Maritz Loyalty Marketing designs, launches and operates full-service loyalty marketing solutions that deliver superior results through a unique understanding of how to drive preferred behavior to achieve true loyalty. In addition to loyalty strategy, planning and consulting, their loyalty solutions include rewards-based loyalty programs and one-to-one communications programs that identify, retain and grow best customers for many of America&39;s largest, most successful corporations. Maritz Loyalty Marketing is unique in the full-service scope of its internal resources that encompass all of the strategic, analytic, market research, operational, technology, creative, communications, rewards and fulfillment services that support their clientscustomer loyalty programs nationwide. A unit of Maritz Inc., Maritz Loyalty Marketing is based in St. Louis, Missouri. Maritz Inc. provides market and customer research, communications, learning solutions, incentive initiatives, meetings and event management, rewards and recognition, travel management services, and customer loyalty programs. Maritz has a presence in 42 countries, with key offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Spain. For more information, call 1-877-4MARITZ, email loyalty@maritz.com, or visit http://www.maritz.com.

About the Maritz Loyalty Marketing Almanac

Maritz Loyalty Marketing’s Almanac is a yearly analysis of the redemption activity for all Maritz Loyalty Marketing clients. The summary reports on consumer product preferences through a variety of metrics, providing insight for Maritz Loyalty Marketing in new program design and to assist our clients with making sound decisions about their product offering. Activity reported represents all Maritz Loyalty Marketing programs for the 2004 calendar year.