HAUKE: Federal Reserve remains on dangerous course
The debate over whether we even need a central bank—which is what the Fed is today—began shortly after the founding of our country.
Banking & Finance
Articles
HICKS: Inflation delays visit, but it’ll arrive eventually
All economists know that, at its core, inflation is caused solely by too much money chasing too few goods.
FBI investigating Durham firms for phone cramming
The FBI is asking land-line phone customers across the country to check their bills for phantom charges from more than 20 companies controlled by or connected to embattled financier Tim Durham.
UPDATE: Competitors’ woes could help Fishers mortgage firm expand
Fishers-based Stonegate Mortgage Corp. plans to spend about $3 million to expand operations, creating up to 300 jobs by 2015.
Fishers-based mortgage company to add 300 jobs
Stonegate Mortgage Corp. plans to move next spring from its current location near 106th Street and Allisonville Road to a 29,000-square-foot office near 106th Street and State Road 37.
SKARBECK: Brokerage soft costs under tighter scrutiny
Many investment firms, hedge funds and mutual funds participate in this less-than-desirable industry practice.
HICKS: Tax-cut proposal probably a good compromise
The Bush tax cuts in particular are politically charged. Many people want to see the rich taxed at higher rates, with little regard for the impact on the economy.
Sale of 118-year-old bank symptom of tough times
A sale is suddenly more appealing to Monroe Bancorp and other financial institutions that used to be fiercely independent.
CNO Financial plans $300 million sale of debt
Carmel-based CNO Financial Group Inc., the insurer formerly known as Conseco Inc., plans to sell $300 million of seven-year senior-secured notes, according to a company statement.
Indiana church financier gets 54 years for Ponzi scheme
A judge sentenced 66-year-old Vaughn Reeves to 54 years in prison during a court hearing Tuesday in Sullivan. A jury convicted him in October on nine counts of securities fraud.
Local firm set to launch two more mutual funds
Founded in 2005, The Archer Funds will now have three mutual funds to offer clients. It is among just a handful of locally based firms that markets its own mutual funds.
WOJTOWICZ: How to lay your hands on working capital
Small-business owners looking for working capital would be well-served to do their research in advance and can ask their bankers about several approaches, including financing based on assets.
Judge OKs plan to distribute Schrenker’s assets
A judge on Friday approved a plan under which investors who lost millions in Marcus Schrenker’s financial schemes will get back seven cents on the dollar.
Indianapolis airport credit rating maintains altitude
Moody’s said the airport has a diversified mix of carriers and cargo operations, little competition from other airports, and a stable market area.
Foreclosed-property care sparks fight over who’s responsible
Lawmakers might address in the upcoming legislative session the controversy over who is responsible for upkeep on foreclosed properties.
HAUKE: History tells us that bull will stay here a while
American stock market history goes back far enough to give us a lot of data and reference points we can use to help us understand the future.
HICKS: The high costs of an over-lawyered society
Estimates of the private-sector costs of civil litigation top out at about 2 percent of our gross domestic product, so for every $50 spent in the United States, $1 goes to support legal costs and settlements.
Menard lawsuit entangles businessmen Hilbert, Dick
Former Conseco executives Steve Hilbert and Rollin Dick are caught in a bitter legal battle between billionaire hardware king John Menard and his ex-fiancee.
Indianapolis banker sees progress, challenges at ailing Integra
Mike Alley, perhaps more than any other banker in the state, is experiencing the pain the economic crisis has wrought on the nation’s financial institutions.
Credit counselor to merge with Ohio-based network
Momentive Consumer Credit Counseling Service Inc. has agreed to be absorbed by Ohio-based Apprisen Financial Advocates, as financial pressures in the industry push not-for-profit agencies to become larger.