Erik Keith's Blog – March 2009 Archive (9)

Healthy Community Banks Unfairly Impacted and Consumers Should Heed Wake-Up Call



As the economic crisis puts a spotlight on the obscure world of credit default swaps (CDS), an unregulated $62 trillion market that most people never heard of and even fewer understood, the fear of a CDS catastrophe is haunting the country’s largest banks, and the nation’s healthy community institutions and consumers are paying the price.

An analysis of FDIC data as of 12/2008 conducted by BancVue… Continue

Times are ruff, so lend a paw! Fortunately, it can be done in style. The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation and Pure Puppy today announced de-tails for Project RUFFway on Thursday, April 9 at Mile High Station. The first annual fundraiser and fashion show benefiting the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation features models paired with adoptable dogs – lovable shelter dogs looking for their “forever homes”. Money raised will benefit the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation and Colorado State University’s Animal Cancer… Continue

With the economy and investment opportunities slimming, consumers are looking for alternative, safe avenues for storing their money other than their mattress. CheckingFinder.com, home to the highest yielding free checking accounts at community banks and credit unions across the nation, has announced a limited time offer of a trial membership to Dave Ramsey's MyTotalMoneyMakeover.com for every person who submits an application.



In addition to the advice and tools from Dave Ramsey, a… Continue

First Western Financial, Inc. the premier wealth management company in the West, announced today that John Shope and Melissa Montgomery-Fitzsimmons have joined the firm, filling two new leadership positions.



Mr. Shope will assume the role of Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, for First Western Financial, Inc., where he will be responsible for overseeing the firm’s expanding sales and service infrastructure as well as managing the Bank’s marketing efforts. He was most… Continue

iCAST, a Colorado nonprofit dedicated to promoting sustainable development using a triple bottom-line approach, today announced a simple one-stop program to help commercial and residential property owners in Boulder County qualify to obtain financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements.



iCAST’s “Green Button” service is designed to cut the hassle and streamline applications for residents interested in participating in Boulder County’s $40 million ClimateSmart Loan… Continue

As Personal Savings Rise to 5%, Consumers Could be Making Up to 6% APR



According to the U.S. Commerce Department on Wednesday, the personal savings rate surged to 5% in January. As consumers frantically try to save their money as the economic outlook continues to look bleak throughout much of the country, they could be making up to 6% APR on their checking account.

A “personal financial stimulus package” starts with the basics—your banking relationship. Community banks are still… Continue

Integrated Asset Services®, LLC (IAS®) (www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuation, today released its latest IAS360™ House Price Index. Based on the timeliest and most granular data available in the industry, the index showed a staggering 3.5% plunge in house prices for January, the worst single-month decline since its peak in November of 2006.



January’s drop by itself represents more than $610 billion in reduced value of U.S. housing stock… Continue

First Affirmative Financial Network, a leading provider of investment management and consulting services to financial advisors and their socially conscious clients, is rolling out a new regional conference series designed to help investment advisors and financial planners accelerate the move to socially responsible investing (SRI).



Each BaseCamp SRI is a one-day event specifically designed for investment professionals seeking to help their clients direct investment capital in ways… Continue

Mental health champions and local community members whose lives have been touched by eating disorders convened in a candlelight at Fillmore Plaza in Cherry Creek North on Monday, February 23 to commemorate those who have lost their lives to eating disorders, those who continue to struggle with these illnesses and those who have found their way to the light of recovery.



The Eating Disorder Foundation, a Denver-based non-profit committed to education and advocacy initiatives to prevent… Continue