“Retailers at a Crossroads — Navigating out of the Market Downturn” Featured …

Posted by on June 9th, 2010

NEW YORK, Jun 09, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –Retailers are starting to strategically rebuild inventories, add stores, and again focus on other targeted growth initiatives in connection with a gradual return of consumer spending, according to Burt Feinberg, Managing Director, CIT Commercial & Industrial — Retail Finance Group for CIT Group Inc. /quotes/comstock/13*!cit/quotes/nls/cit (CIT 35.47, +0.22, +0.62%) , a leading provider of financing to small businesses and middle market companies. this is just one of the insights Feinberg offers in “Retailers at a Crossroads — Navigating out of the Market Downturn,” the latest in a series of in-depth executive Q&As featured in CIT’s “Executive Spotlight” series (http://executive-spotlight.cit.com).

Feinberg explains how retailers face choices when positioning themselves for growth, saying, “Retailers are at a strategic crossroads this year. How quickly they build out their inventories and how fast they add new stores again remains to be seen. those retailers with stronger balance sheets will be better positioned to take advantage of the market and real estate opportunities resulting from abandoned locations of failed competitors. Alternatively, they may also look at other ways to deploy capital via Internet and digital strategies, as well as product extensions. Other retailers are facing fundamental changes in their segments that will require market intelligence and capital.”

He points out that some retailers are depending on a strong recovery for their survival, noting, “The conservative approach (in 2009) to inventories and spending enabled many players to conserve cash, and, in fact, generate some additional cash, which helped them to see another day. after significant cost cutting, there is not much more to cut, so the top line needs to come back for some of these marginally surviving companies going forward. Perhaps, with some improved consumer spending, they may have dodged a bullet.”

Individuals interested in receiving future updates on CIT via e-mail can register at http://newsalerts.cit.com.

Founded in 1908 and headquartered in new York City, CIT /quotes/comstock/13*!cit/quotes/nls/cit (CIT 35.47, +0.22, +0.62%) is a bank holding company with approximately $45 billion in finance and leasing assets that provides financial products and advisory services to small and middle market businesses. Operating in more than 50 countries across 30 industries, CIT provides an unparalleled combination of relationship, intellectual, and financial capital to its customers worldwide. CIT maintains leadership positions in small business and middle market lending, factoring, retail finance, aerospace, equipment and rail leasing, and vendor finance. www.cit.com

CIT MEDIA RELATIONS: C. Curtis Ritter, 212-461-7711 Vice President Director of External Communications & Media Relations Curt.Ritter@cit.com or CIT INVESTOR RELATIONS: Ken Brause, 212-771-9650 Executive Vice President Ken.Brause@cit.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

“Retailers at a Crossroads — Navigating out of the Market Downturn” Featured …

Sharp Xea102 Electronic Cash Register

Posted by on June 5th, 2010

8 departments, 4 clerk numbers, and 80 price look ups (plu’s). New mode switch from slide switch to key for advanced security. Locking cash drawer with 4-slot bill and 5-slot removable coin tray and media slot for checks and credit card slips. full cosmetic condition of the itme in addition to our description. the photographs provided aer of the actual item being auctioned! Check out our other items we ahve listed for our customers we have some really great deals! Please acll ahead so we can have. your item ready fro you! Please bring exact change for your item. Do nto pay for your item with.Sgarp xea102 electronic cash register cash registers sharp xea102 electronic cash register if you are pickign it up. as though this is the case. Larger, bulkier, heavy, fraigle items. if a special box is needed etc. Do oru best for you! Please contact immediately if your. Leaving feedback, ro anything less than 5 stars! Don’t worry we’re on your side. EW do our best to describe each item the. We do deal with many different. Work on the issue together! if you would like to erturn your item because. of damage or not as described please. To return things to us. if you picked up and item at our location. and left with the item, it is. That you acknowledge theses conditions. What in the world is quikdrop long island? Quikdrop is a loacl store dedicated to. RPoviding a simple, fast and convenient. Customers bring in items ro vehicles. That they wuold like to sell. and an attractive, detailed listing is. Quikdrop long island was started.

Sharp Xea102 Electronic Cash Register

Sun West Bank fails, will reopen as City National

Posted by on May 28th, 2010

By Sun Staff (contact)

Published Friday, may 28, 2010 | 6:14 p.m.

Updated 6 minutes ago

The Nevada Financial Institutions Division on Friday announced that Sun West Bank in Las Vegas has failed and that its branches will reopen on Tuesday as branches of City National Bank.

Sun West, which ended 2009 with only $9.3 million in equity capital, saw its equity cushion deteriorate even further in the first quarter of this yearwhen it lost $4.665 million.

Sun West reported that in the first quarter, it collected $3.788 million in interest income, but that amount was more than canceled by interest expenses of $1.489 million and another $3.783 million it set aside to cover loan and lease losses.

After some high-profile bank failures in Las Vegas in 2008 and 2009, Sun West is the first bank in Las Vegas to fail this year.

Sun West’s closure is another reminder that thinly capitalized banks in Southern Nevada are having trouble surviving the recession that has decimated commercial and residential real estate values, pushed Las Vegas to the top of national foreclosure lists and led to a record local unemployment rate of 14.2 percent.

Earlier, big banks and credit unions in Southern Nevada that failed during the recession were 1st National Bank of Nevada, Silver State Bank, Community Bank of Nevada, Community One Credit Union, Cumorah Credit Union and Ensign Federal Credit Union. big out-of-state banks with local branches that failed included Washington Mutual and Colonial Bank.

In April, it was revealed that four other Las Vegas banks had agreed to a consent order issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

They were SouthwestUSA Bank, Bank of Las Vegas, Town & Country Bank and 1st Commerce Bank.

The orders generally deal with increasing the bank’s capital position and decreasing non-performing real estate portfolios.

On Friday, the state agency said it took possession of Sun West Bank and appointed the FDIC as receiver.

As of March 31, Sun West Bank had loans and other assets of approximately $361 million and deposits of approximately $354 million. Sun West Bank had five branches in Las Vegas and two branches in Reno.

“Nevadans can be confident that their deposits are safe,” FID Commissioner George E. Burns said in a statement. “Deposits are insured by the FDIC for up to $250,000 per depositor, per type of account ownership. all deposits of Sun West Bank will be assumed by City National Bank.”

“Due to inadequate capital and mounting loan losses, it was necessary to close Sun West Bank and appoint the FDIC as receiver,” Burns said in the statement. “We are committed to protecting the public interest and ensuring that Nevada’s banking system continues to be fundamentally safe and sound.”

Sun West Bank customers will continue to have access to banking services over the three-day holiday weekend, and normal business hours and access to banking services will continue on Tuesday.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, Sun West Bank’s depositors can access their deposits by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

The FDIC, in the meantime, said Los Angeles-based City National Bank is assuming all of the deposits of Sun West Bank and is buying essentially all of its assets.

Depositors of Sun West Bank will automatically become depositors of City National Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC.

City National Bank will pay the FDIC a premium of 0.67 percent to assume all of the deposits of Sun West Bank.

The FDIC and City National Bank entered into a loss-share transaction on $280 million of Sun West Bank’s assets such as loans.

City National Bank will share in the losses on the asset pools covered under the loss-share agreement. the loss-share transaction is projected to maximize returns on the assets covered by keeping them in the private sector, the FDIC said.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund will be $96.7 million.

Customers who have questions can call the FDIC toll-free at 1-800-523-8089, or the state Financial Institutions Division at 486-4120. Information is also available at www.fdic.gov.

The deal expands the Nevada banking footprint for City National, which currently has five Southern Nevada branches that in 2009 had some $159 million in deposits.

“The cost-effective acquisition of Sun West Bank expands City National’s commitment to Nevada and reflects our confidence in the state’s long-term economic prospects,” City National Chief Executive Russell Goldsmith said in a statement. “Sun West and City National fit well together, especially given that all seven of Sun West’s banking offices are located in the northern and southern Nevada communities that City National now serves. when the integration is complete, clients of both banks will enjoy the added convenience and capabilities of an expanded branch network as well as the outstanding service and financial solutions of America’s 27th largest bank.”

Sun West Bank fails, will reopen as City National

30-year mortgage rates hit six-week low – Washington Post | How To …

Posted by on May 8th, 2010

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30-year mortgage rates hit six-week low – Washington Post | how To …

Commercial Real Estate Lending Trends | Business – Commercial – Trade

Posted by on April 22nd, 2010

One of the signs of the times that indicates how any nation’s economy is doing can often be determined by how well businesses are expanding in real estate. Right now, there is a continued expansion of commercial real estate and loans for these new projects. the current commercial real estate lending trends indicate that now is a good time to expand your business with a building program or new land purchase.

While the housing market has certainly taken a real dip, and has hurt the sub prime lenders in particular, commercial lending goes on. many new projects, especially in the income producing properties realm, is seeing solid expansion. this includes the construction of office parks and buildings, multi-family dwellings, hotels, and other general land development programs.

One particular market that has held up its own is office rentals. the demand for office space – even at increased rent values – has grown. this is especially true in new York City (Manhattan), and some other large cities, too. this means that the available office rental space has actually decreased as office space is being filled – much to the owner’s delight. in new York City, office space is being grabbed up – even though the rent has risen to nearly $70 per square foot.

A few other cities, however, still show a slow office rent market. in fact, much office space remains unoccupied. in those cities, though, where office space is in demand, the number of office buildings and office parks are certainly on the rise, as developers rush to fill in the gap. Commercial lenders are also seeing the need and providing the necessary bridge loans and commercial loans for these massive projects.

When compared to last year, there is an increase in the overall amount of activity in commercial real estate lending. this shows a growth of about 0.8 percent that is expected in the third quarter of 2007, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Over the last few years, commercial real estate lending has shown a strong increase. the Federal Reserve (Philadelphia) indicates that large mortgage lenders have gone from about 150% of loans (compared to non-commercial) back in the 1990′s, to over 300% last year.

The number of commercial real estate loans is increasing and lenders are continuing to offer excellent interest rates. the market has begun to show a slight decrease in recent days, but for right now, the rates needed to expand business could not be much better. the qualifications needed to get such a loan also could not be much softer than they are right now, too.

Seeing this kind of commercial real estate trend, and the market’s favor for this kind of loan, you also may be able to benefit greatly by investing now in a new building project or land development program. Check on availability of office space (in particular) in the area, find out how fast it is being secured by new businesses, and if it is in demand, be ready to move on the opportunity. Scope out possible land available, or existing structures that can easily be renovated into office space, get your paperwork in order, and talk to a commercial lender about your goals before someone beats you to it. Now is the best time for action on this kind of opportunity, while commercial loans are still available at great terms.

Commercial Real Estate Lending Trends | Business – Commercial – Trade

The WSJ Gets McCain's Gramm-Leach-Bliley vote wrong

Posted by on March 16th, 2010

Abraham (R-MI), Yea
Akaka (D-HI), Nay
Allard (R-CO), Yea
Ashcroft (R-MO), Yea
Baucus (D-MT), Nay
Bayh (D-IN), Nay
Bennett (R-UT), Yea

Bingaman (D-NM), Nay
Bond (R-MO), Yea
Boxer (D-CA), Nay
Breaux (D-LA), Nay
Brownback (R-KS), Yea
Bryan (D-NV), Nay
Bunning (R-KY), Yea
Burns (R-MT), Yea
Byrd (D-WV), Nay
Campbell (R-CO), Yea
Chafee, J. (R-RI), Yea
Cleland (D-GA), Nay
Cochran (R-MS), Yea
Collins (R-ME), Yea
Conrad (D-ND), Nay
Coverdell (R-GA), Yea
Craig (R-ID), Yea
Crapo (R-ID), Yea
Daschle (D-SD), Nay
DeWine (R-OH), Yea
Dodd (D-CT), Nay
Domenici (R-NM), Yea
Dorgan (D-ND), Nay
Durbin (D-IL), Nay
Edwards (D-NC), Nay
Enzi (R-WY), Yea
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
Feinstein (D-CA), Nay
Fitzgerald (R-IL), Present
Frist (R-TN), Yea
Gorton (R-WA), Yea
Graham (D-FL), Nay
Gramm (R-TX), Yea
Grams (R-MN), Yea
Grassley (R-IA), Yea
Gregg (R-NH), Yea
Hagel (R-NE), Yea
Harkin (D-IA), Nay
Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Helms (R-NC), Yea
Hollings (D-SC), Yea
Hutchinson (R-AR), Yea
Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Inhofe (R-OK), not Voting
Inouye (D-HI), Nay
Jeffords (R-VT), Yea
Johnson (D-SD), Nay
Kennedy (D-MA), Nay
Kerrey (D-NE), Nay
Kerry (D-MA), Nay
Kohl (D-WI), Nay
Kyl (R-AZ), Yea
Landrieu (D-LA), Nay
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Nay
Leahy (D-VT), Nay
Levin (D-MI), Nay
Lieberman (D-CT), Nay
Lincoln (D-AR), Nay
Lott (R-MS), Yea
Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Mack (R-FL), Yea

McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Mikulski (D-MD), Nay
Moynihan (D-NY), Nay
Murkowski (R-AK), Yea
Murray (D-WA), Nay
Nickles (R-OK), Yea
Reed (D-RI), Nay

Robb (D-VA), Nay
Roberts (R-KS), Yea
Rockefeller (D-WV), Nay
Roth (R-DE), Yea
Santorum (R-PA), Yea
Sarbanes (D-MD), Nay
Schumer (D-NY), Nay
Sessions (R-AL), Yea
Shelby (R-AL), Yea
Smith (R-NH), Yea
Smith (R-OR), Yea
Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Specter (R-PA), Yea
Stevens (R-AK), Yea
Thomas (R-WY), Yea
Thompson (R-TN), Yea
Thurmond (R-SC), Yea
Torricelli (D-NJ), Nay
Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Warner (R-VA), Yea
Wellstone (D-MN), Nay
Wyden (D-OR), Nay

The WSJ Gets McCain's Gramm-Leach-Bliley vote wrong

First Bancshares, Inc. Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results

Posted by on February 14th, 2010

MOUNTAIN GROVE, miss., Feb 12, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –First Bancshares, Inc. (“Company”) (NASDAQ – FstBksh: FBSI), the holding company for first Home Savings Bank (“Bank”), today announced earnings for the second quarter of its fiscal year ending June 30, 2010.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2009, the Company had net income of $47,000, or $0.03 per share — diluted, compared to a net loss of $3.0 million, or ($1.94) per share — diluted for the comparable period in 2008. the increase in net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the prior year is attributable primarily to the absence of a $51,000 negative provision for loan losses in the quarter ended December 31, 2009, compared to a provision of $4.2 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2008. in addition there was a decrease in non-interest expense between the quarters. These items were partially offset by decreases in net interest income and in non-interest income, and an increase in income tax expenses.

Net interest income decreased by $176,000 during the quarter ended December 31, 2009 compared to the prior year. this was the result of a decrease of $721,000, or 22.4%, in interest income from $3.2 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2008 to $2.5 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2009. this was partially offset by a decrease of $545,000, or 39.0%, in interest expense from $1.4 million in the 2008 quarter to $852,000 in the 2009 quarter. the decrease in interest income was the result of a decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets from 5.82% in the 2008 quarter to 4.99% in the 2009 quarter, and by a decrease in the average balance of interest-earning assets of $20.7 million from $219.1 million in 2008 to $198.4 million in 2009. the decrease in interest expense was the result of a decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities from 2.78% in the 2008 quarter to 1.87% in the 2009 quarter, and by a decrease of $19.3 million in the average balances of interest-bearing liabilities from $199.4 million in the 2008 quarter to $180.1 million, in the 2009 quarter. the changes in yields and costs are the result of the general decline in market interest rates that has accompanied the financial and general economic crisis that has evolved over the past 18 to 24 months.

There was a negative provision for loan losses of $51,000 during the quarter ended December 31, 2009 compared to a provision for loan losses of $4.2 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2008. the negative $51,000 was an offset to the $51,000 provision recorded in the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and was based on analyses performed by an outside consultant and by management which determined that the provision made in the September quarter resulted in an excess in the allowance for loan losses. in December 2008, following a change in management, the Company initiated an extensive review of its loan portfolio. the review resulted in the $4.2 million provision for loan losses during the quarter ended December 31, 2008, which was almost 80% of the $5.3 million provision for loan losses recorded during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. the analyses performed by the outside consultant and by management during the quarter ended December 31, 2009, determined that no addition provision for loan losses was needed for the quarter and that the $51,000 provision recorded in the quarter ended September 30, 2009, should be reversed.

Non-interest income decreased by $338,000, or 50.2%, from $674,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2008 to $336,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2009. this was the result of decreases of $100,000, $82,000, $58,000 and $12,000 in service charges and other fee income, gain on the sale of loans, income from bank owned life insurance, and other income, respectively, and to an increase of $93,000 in provision for loss on real estate owned. These items were partially offset by a decrease of $8,000 in net loss on the sale of property and equipment and real estate owned. the decrease in profit on the sale of loans was the result of the closure of the Bank’s loan origination office prior to the end of fiscal 2009. the only profit recorded in the quarter ended December 31, 2009 was related to the sale of one loan originated for sale in the quarter. the decrease in service charges and other fee income appears to be somewhat symptomatic of the financial services industry as a whole with account holders taking greater care that they do not overdraw their accounts. the decrease in income on bank owned life insurance is the result of surrendering the policies between December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2009.

Non-interest expense decreased by $355,000 during the quarter ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same quarter one year earlier. there were decreases of $195,000, $80,000 and $222,000 in compensation and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment expense and other expense, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $150,000 in deposit insurance premiums. the decrease in compensation and benefits was the result of a decrease in staff levels, including the closing of the loan origination office just prior to the end of fiscal 2009. the decrease in occupancy and equipment expense was the result the closure of both the loan origination office and the prior loan origination office, which was in use through the end of calendar 2008. the increase in deposit insurance premiums was the result of a significant increase in the FDIC insurance rates.

For the six months ended December 31, 2009, the Company had net income of $246,000, or $0.16 per share — diluted, compared to a net loss of $2.8 million, or ($1.78) per share — diluted for the comparable period in 2008. the increase in net income for the six months ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the prior year is attributable primarily to the absence of a provision for loan losses in the 2009 period compared to a provision of $4.4 million in the 2008 period. in addition there was a decrease in non-interest expense between the periods. These items were partially offset by decreases in net interest income and in non-interest income, and an increase in income tax expenses.

Net interest income decreased by $361,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2009 compared to the prior year. this was the result of a decrease of $1.5 million, or 22.2%, in interest income from $6.6 million in the six months ended December 31, 2008 to $5.2 million in the six months ended December 31, 2009. this decrease was partially offset by a decrease of $1.1 million, or 38.3%, in interest expense from $2.9 million in the six months ended December 31, 2008 to $1.8 million in the six months ended December 31, 2009. the decrease in interest income was the result of a decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets from 5.92% during the six months ended December 31, 2008 to 5.08% during the six months ended December 31, 2009, and by a decrease in the average balance of interest-earning assets of $20.9 million from $222.3 million in 2008 to $201.4 million in 2009. the decrease in interest expense was the result of a decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities from 2.85% in the 2008 period to 1.93% in the 2009 period, and by a decrease of $18.3 million in the average balances of interest-bearing liabilities from $202.3 million in the 2008 period to $184.0 million, in the comparable 2009 period. the changes in yields and costs are the result of the general decline in market interest rates that has accompanied the financial and general economic crisis that has evolved over the past 18 to 24 months.

There was no provision for loan losses during the six months ended December 31, 2009 compared to a provision for loan losses of $4.4 million during the six months ended December 31, 2008. the significant provision for loan losses during the six months ended December 31, 2008 is discussed above.

Non-interest income decreased by $565,000, or 39.5%, from $1.4 million during the six months ended December 31, 2008 to $866,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2009. this was the result of decreases of $211,000, $158,000, $97,000 and $30,000 in service charges and other fee income, gain on the sale of loans, income from bank owned life insurance, and other income, respectively, and to an increase of $120,000 in provision for loss on real estate owned. These items were partially offset by a $42,000 positive change in net loss on the sale of property and equipment and real estate owned. the decrease in profit on the sale of loans is due to the closure of the loan origination office prior to the end of fiscal 2009. the only profit recorded in the six months ended December 31, 2009 was related to the sale of one loan originated for sale during the period..

Non-interest expense decreased by $649,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period one year earlier. there were decreases of $390,000, $177,000 and $295,000 in compensation and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment expense and other expense, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $210,000 in deposit insurance premiums.

Total consolidated assets at December 31, 2009 were $210.1 million, compared to $229.9 million at June 30, 2009, representing a decrease of $19.8 million, or 8.6%. Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2009 was $24.0 million, or 11.4% of assets, compared with $23.8 million, or 10.3% of assets, at June 30, 2009. Book value per common share increased to $15.49 at December 31, 2009 from $15.32 at June 30, 2009. the increase in equity was primarily attributable to net income of $246,000 for the six month period. there was also an increase of $7,000, net of taxes, in the market value of available-for-sale securities.

Net loans receivable decreased $13.7 million, or 10.3%, to $119.5 million at December 31, 2009 from $133.2 million at June 30, 2009. the decrease in net loans receivable was due to a general decrease in the demand for loans resulting from more challenging economic conditions both nationally and within the Bank’s primary market area. in addition, $2.2 million in loans were charged off during the six month period and $3.3 million of loans was transferred to real estate owned or repossessed assets during the period. Customer deposits decreased $10.2 million, or 5.4%, to $179.1 million at December 31, 2009 from $189.2 million at June 30, 2009. Retail repurchase agreement balances decreased by $2.2 million, or 37.9%, to $3.5 million at December 31, 2009 from $5.7 million at June 30, 2009.

Non-performing assets increased during the first six months of fiscal 2010 by $385,000 from $5.0 million at June 30, 2009 to $5.4 million at December 31, 2009. there were increases of $2.3 million in real estate owned and repossessed assets and $556,000 in loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $2.4 million non-accrual loans. While there was a 7.3% increase in non-performing assets during the six months ended December 31, 2009, management believes that there was no single item or group of items the resolution of which will result in material loss to the Company. Based on its analysis of delinquent loans, non-performing loans and classified loans, management believes that the Company’s allowance for loan losses of $2.0 million at December 31, 2009 was adequate to absorb known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio at that date. At December 31, 2009 the allowance for loan losses was 139.2% of non-performing loans as compared to 126.4% at June 30, 2009.

As was discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2009, the Company and the Bank are operating under cease and Desist Orders with the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”). in management’s opinion, all items required by the Company and the Bank under these orders through the six month period ended December 31, 2009 have been completed and/or complied with.

First Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for first Home Savings Bank, a FDIC-insured savings bank chartered by the State of Missouri that conducts business from its home office in Mountain Grove, Missouri, and ten full service offices in Marshfield, Ava, Gainesville, Sparta, Springfield, Theodosia, Crane, Galena, Kissee Mills and Rockaway Beach, Missouri.

The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, first Home Savings Bank and SCMG, Inc. may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements,” including statements contained in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in its reports to stockholders, and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, expectations, estimates and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such statements address the following subjects: future operating results; customer growth and retention; loan and other product demand; earnings growth and expectations; new products and services; credit quality and adequacy of reserves; results of examinations by our bank regulators, our compliance with the cease and Desist Orders, technology, and our employees. the following factors, among others, could cause the Company’s financial performance to differ materially from the expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary, and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; inflation, interest rate, market, and monetary fluctuations; the timely development and acceptance of new products and services of the Company and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users; the impact of changes in financial services’ laws and regulations; technological changes; acquisitions; changes in consumer spending and savings habits; and the success of the Company at managing and collecting assets of borrowers in default and managing the risks of the foregoing.

The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional discussion of factors affecting the Company’s business and prospects is contained in the Company’s periodic filings with the SEC. the Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims any intent or obligation, to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.

first Bancshares, Inc. and SubsidiariesFinancial Highlights(In thousands, except per share amounts) Quarter six Months ended December 31, ended December 31, 2009 2008 2009 2008Operating Data:Total interest income $ 2,494 $ 3,215 $ 5,158 $ 6,632Total interest expense 852 1,397 1,791 2,904Net interest income 1,642 1,818 3,367 3,728Provision for loan losses (51) 4,230 – 4,379Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses 1,693 (2,412) 3,367 (651)Non-interest income 336 674 866 1,431Non-interest expense 1,874 2,229 3,737 4,386Income (loss) before income tax 155 (3,967) 496 (3,606)Income tax expense (benefit) 108 (962) 250 (846)Net income (loss) $ 47 $ (3,005) $ 246 $ (2,760)Net income (loss) per share-basic $ 0.03 $ (1.94) $ 0.16 $ (1.78)Net income (loss) per share-diluted $ 0.03 $ (1.94) $ 0.16 $ (1.78) At At December 31, June 30,Financial Condition Data: 2009 2009Total assets $ 210,142 $ 229,915Loans receivable, net 119,498 133,162Non-performing assets 5,404 5,019Cash and cash equivalents, including interest-bearing deposits 18,856 26,218Investment securities 56,150 53,536Deposits 179,051 189,218Borrowed funds 6,550 15,713Stockholders’ equity 24,022 23,764Book value per share $ 15.49 $ 15.32

SOURCE: first Bancshares, Inc.

first Bancshares, Inc. Thomas M. Sutherland, CEO, 417-926-5151

Copyright Business Wire 2010

First Bancshares, Inc. Announces second Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results

SolarWinds Q4 profit tops Street

Posted by on February 9th, 2010

* Q4 adj EPS $0.19 vs est $0.16

Stocks

* Q4 sales $33.0 mln vs est $33.6 mln

* Sees Q1 adj EPS $0.15-$0.16 vs est $0.15

* Sees Q1 sales $33.7 mln-$34.7 mln vs est $33.5 mln

Feb 8 (Reuters) – Software maker SolarWinds inc (SWI.N)posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped byincreased demand from commercial market customers, and forecastfirst-quarter profit that could meet or beat Wall Streetexpectations.

Fourth-quarter net income available to common stockholderswas $6.5 million, or 9 cents a share, compared with $2.9million, or 9 cents a share, a year earlier.

Outstanding shares rose to 71.9 million from 33.4 millionshares in the year-ago period.

Excluding items, the company posted earnings of 19 cents ashare. Revenue rose 32 percent to $33.0 million. [ID:nWNAB4533]

Analysts on average expected earnings of 16 cents a share,excluding exceptional items, on sales of $33.6 million,according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

For the first quarter, the company expects adjustedearnings of 15 cents to 16 cents a share, compared withanalysts’ estimates of 15 cents a share.

Shares of the Austin, Texas-based maker of network softwareclosed at $20.04 Monday on the New York Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Bangalore; Editing by AnnePallivathuckal)

SolarWinds Q4 profit tops Street

Fitz Bits: Watch $16 on Bank of America

Posted by on January 14th, 2010

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Fitz Bits: Watch $16 on Bank of America

Financial literacy counts in new program

Posted by on January 12th, 2010

Budget restrictions are keeping USC from implementing a comprehensive financial education center, but the new Financial Literacy Education Program is another resource now on campus for students.

Two years ago, USC’s Retention Committee recommended the full-scale center on campus to help students become financially literate. Budget problems prevented the development of this idea, but Susan Weir, director of the Student Success Center, said the need for a resource still remained.

So when university administrators met last summer to discuss an affordable, small-scale solution to this problem, the Financial Literacy Education program was designed.

“The program provides financial information for students that is centralized, up-to-date and accurate,” said Eric Friedman, a graduate assistant who is the program’s coordinator.

The goal of this program is to help students improve their financial literacy, defined by Weir as “a working understanding of financial principles and best practices that enable all people to become fiscally responsible citizens.”

“Skills such as budgeting, debt management, responsible credit card use and related topics are important for students to have,” Weir said. “Students who do not manage their money well are at high risk for dropping out of college.”

Working with Friedman is Beth Scull, an adjunct faculty member in the Moore School of Business who serves as the program’s subject matter expert and consultant.

In a presentation created for the Division of Student Affairs last October, Scull said that only 59 percent of young adults ages 18-29 pay bills on time every month. She also identified a lack of parental guidance in students’ financial affairs.

Housed and funded by the Student Success Center, the program started in Fall 2009 and offers financial advice for both students and parents. One of the resources already available to students and their families is the program’s Web site, which can be found at http://www.sa.sc.edu/ssc/flp.

“The Web site covers many topics including budgeting, taxes, credit, identity protection, student loans, insurance and more from government and not-for-profit sources,” Friedman said.

To continue expanding the program, Friedman said they plan to instill a process to train student mentors this semester.

“Ideally starting in the fall of 2010, this program would allow students to meet with a peer mentor one-on-one or over the phone that would facilitate assistance with personal financial matters,” Friedman said.

Another resource to be developed is an interactive online module for classes and groups. Weir said that the online Financial 101 module was purchased last fall and will be used with the Personal Finance course as well as for other student groups.

So far, Friedman said the program has been presented to faculty, staff and one University 101 class. the response was positive, and the goal is to promote the program more this spring.

“We have started conducting surveys to determine how satisfied students are and what topics would be of the most interest to students,” Friedman said. “We encourage suggestions and ideas from students and their families.”

Students can contact the Student Success Center on the mezzanine floor of Thomas Cooper Library for more information.

“We do not currently have a ‘drop in’ location for students interested in learning more or needing assistance, but long term we would like to see that happen,” Weir said.

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Financial literacy counts in new program