Americas Watchdog is calling for a national boycott of specific US banks or stock brokerage companies that deceived tens of thousands of US citizens with lies or falsehoods regarding risky investments called "auction rate preferred shares" (ARPS) or "auction rate shares" (ARS). According to Americas Watchdog, "name brand US banks and stock brokers stuck unsuspecting US citizens with extremely exotic securities calling them no risk and just like cash, and now these unfortunate citizens cannot get their money back". Americas Watchdog will start putting up web sites naming specific banks, stock brokerage firms & financial institutions involved in this gigantic fraud & the group will ask all US citizens to find another bank or more trustworthy stock broker". According to the group, "US banks and major stock brokerage firms have put tens of thousands of US consumers through hell, and now its time for pay back". (PRWeb Apr 15, 2008)

Read the full story at http://ww1.prweb.com/releases/2008/04/prweb853634.htm

Macroaxis Corporation, a software company specializing in on-demand solutions for the wealth management sector, announced today the general beta release of a rating and scoring framework for financial advisors and professional money managers. Most types of professional wealth managers provide advise, recommendations, and guidance to businesses and individuals in making investment decisions. The new release enables mainstream investors to view public information, performance, and rating of registered money managers and contact them if their risk profile fits that of the financial advisor.The new portfolio scoring and rating methodology is based on multiple factors that are weighted according to Macroaxis's proprietary algorithms. (PRWeb Apr 15, 2008)

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Independent Bank of Austin, SSB, based in Lakeway and also serving the Georgetown-Sun City areas of Central Texas, reported a 27% rise in net profits over the year-ago first quarter; a 33% increase in assets, 18% growth in loans and a 19% rise in local deposits for the first quarter of 2008. Customer relationships grew 4% during the past quarter, and the average life of a loan this past quarter was 12.9 months and the average size about $265,776. CEO Denny Buchanan says the sub prime mortgage mess may be affecting his Travis-Williamson County market, but is actually creating solid lending opportunities for the 33-month-old state savings bank that expects to reach $180 million in assets by year-end 2008. (PRWeb Apr 15, 2008)

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AP - Inflation at the wholesale level soared in March at nearly triple the rate that had been forecast as energy prices kept rising and food costs posted a much bigger jump than anticipated.

AP - Inflation at the wholesale level soared in March at nearly triple the rate that had been forecast as energy prices kept rising and food costs posted a much bigger jump than anticipated.

Reuters - The proposed merger of Delta Air Lines
Inc and Northwest Airlines Corp is likely to
spur other carriers to go after the cost savings and global
brand recognition required to survive amid soaring fuel prices
and a weak U.S. economy.

Forstone Capital, LLC, in a joint venture with Maxwelle Real Estate Group of Aventura, FL, is proud to announce the purchase of 170,000 SF of commercial space in the heart of downtown Bridgeport, Connecticut. The $15.7MM complex, dubbed Lafayette Circle, will help play a key role in the Bridgeport, Connecticut's revitalization. Forstone Capital sees significant market opportunity in Bridgeport and is committed to participating in the downtown renaissance. (PRWeb Apr 15, 2008)

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BlackBook2 Holdings, Corp. and Titan Global Entertainment, Inc. are proud to announce that they will be entering into a joint venture licensing agreement. Together the two companies will offer a robust package of communication and media distribution tools, a move which will benefit share holders and members alike. (PRWeb Apr 15, 2008)

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The Best Pizza Box is a patent-pending unique pizza box that splits in half to form two small boxes. With a simple pull of a rip cord, a large pizza box is converted to one half its original size. The Best Pizza Box co-inventor Bill Volz announced that they will continue to take inquiries from interested parties through May 31 of this year, after which they will close down the program to advance discussions with candidates. (PRWeb Apr 15, 2008)

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History Publishing Company of Palisades, NY, has signed a contract with David George Ball to publish Mr. Ball's book "A Marked Heart:" A spiritual journey inspired by Martin Luther King led to financial security for millions of Americans. The book tells the untold story of how Martin Luther King inspired David George Ball, the Undersecretary of Labor, to persevere in his efforts to bring America the 401(k). (PRWeb Apr 15, 2008)

Read the full story at http://ww1.prweb.com/releases/2008/04/prweb858314.htm