Financial Advisor Tells About the Change in Consumer Credit

Surviving the Credit Crunch: Financial Advisor Tells Everything Consumers Need to Know about the Sea of Change in Consumer Credit

We keep hearing that getting credit is much harder now that lenders are tightening their belts. But what kind of affect does this credit crunch really have on the ordinary man or woman? Cedar Rapids-based financial professional Monte Marti explains everything consumers need to know to survive the credit crunch.

Cedar Rapids, IA (PRWEB) November 1, 2007 -- We keep hearing that getting credit is much harder now that lenders are tightening their belts. But what kind of affect does this credit crunch really have on the ordinary man or woman?

"The place where average consumers will feel the pinch most is when they look to buy and sell a home," says Cedar Rapids-based financial professional Monte Marti. Gone are the days when people were able to easily obtain home loans with no money down, bad credit or no documentation.

"At this point, there is no real apocalypse," says Marti. "Rather, those consumers with less than perfect credit will find it more difficult to find a loan with terms as favorable as we've seen in recent years."

Marti advises consumers to follow five tips in order to survive the credit crunch:

BE SMART ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Whenever there's stock market volatility, a good number of investors may decide to cut their losses and move their money into bonds or cash instruments. That, according to Marti, could be disastrous. "Most people are investing in order to reach their long-term goals -- things like sending their kids to college or retiring with financial security. Long-term investors who've developed a thoughtful investment plan should not be overly concerned by the daily fluctuations in the market. The stock market historically experiences a 10 percent correction at least every two or three years and that's what we recently experienced from mid-July to mid-August: a correction. This is normal and to be expected." Marti says many investors have become complacent and are now surprised by the recent market volatility. The current bull market began in October 2002 so it has been nearly five years since we have had such a correction. It was time.

It is important to remember the power of asset allocation and proper diversification during times of market volatility. Slight adjustments and/or rebalancing may need to be done, but the key is not to get caught up in the emotions of the market and make changes you may regret once the market stabilizes.

KEEP YOUR CREDIT RECORD CLEAN
As many have discovered, this could be a good time for those seeking a home loan. While the news is bad for those who currently have or would only qualify for sub-prime loans, the Federal Reserve is adding money to the banking system to help relieve the pressure that lending institutions and consumers may be feeling. "The credit crunch is likely to be most painful for those with lower credit scores. Those with good credit scores, on the other hand, aren't likely to be affected," says Marti. "Once again we are reminded of how important it is to be aware of our own credit scores and to learn what we can do to keep those scores as high as possible. Credit scores have always been important, but they are even more important now."

THINK LONG-TERM AS YOU SHOP AROUND
Back when loans were easy to obtain, many consumers opted for interest-only and adjustable rate mortgages (ARMS). Now that interest rates on many of these loans are increasing, we are also beginning to see foreclosure rates increase significantly. "The one-two punch -- ARMS resetting and interest-only terms expiring -- coupled with a tighter lending market is sending many consumers into foreclosure," says Marti. Marti says people are smart to think long term and shop around. Before you sign that ARM or interest-only loan, think through all of the variables. While it may look like you will be able to sell your house or pay off the loan as expected, life and related circumstances can get in the way. "The best laid plans don't always come true," Marti says. "You may be better off going with more conservative assumptions, just to cover any possible variables." The best way to overcome financing or refinancing troubles is to work with a qualified, independent mortgage broker who has the resources to find the most suitable loan for the consumer. "Don't be afraid to shop around," Marti says.

CONSIDER ADDING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE TO YOUR PORTFOLIO
Recent news on the real estate market can best be characterized as doom and gloom, but according to Marti, that doesn't mean that real estate is dead as an investment vehicle. "Investing in non-publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITS) can still be a good idea for investors," says Marti. With dividends often ranging as high as five to seven percent, REITS are another form of diversification. REITS are called a low- or non-correlated asset because they are not immediately affected by the housing markets, or the equity and fixed income markets. According to Marti, REITS are an investment that can be used to hedge against market corrections while still providing a respectable income stream because the properties held in REITS are primarily high grade commercial offices rather than residential real estate. This strategy can provide a degree of protection from stock market and housing market fluctuations.

SEEK TRUSTED, INFORMED ADVICE
A financial professional can help interpret current market conditions and chart a long-term plan. From creating a diversified portfolio to devising strategies that help turn less-than-stellar credit into good credit, a financial professional can help you through the credit crunch.

About Monte Marti
Monte Marti is an independent, fee-based financial planner and investment adviser representative who specializes in asset allocation, retirement planning and estate conservation. Marti has been helping people take control of their financial futures for nearly 20 years. He graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in agricultural business and a minor in economics. He went on to fulfill the requirements to become a Chartered Financial Consultant® and Chartered Life Underwriter®.

After starting his business career working as a commodities broker, Marti became an investment adviser and has been helping clients refine their life goals and develop prudent financial plans to meet those goals. Monte has consistently been recognized by Securities America as a top adviser representative through membership in the Masters Forum.

Call (319) 364-3259 or email email protected from spam bots for more information about Monte Marti and Securities America, Inc.

NOTE:
When you need a knowledgeable professional to speak on complicated financial topics in an easy-to-understand manner, please call Monte Marti at Personal Financial Management.

Securities offered through Securities America, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Monte Marti Registered Representative. Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc. Monte Marti Investment Advisor Representative. Personal Financial Management and Securities America, Inc. are not affiliated.

Press Contact: Monte Marti
Company Name: Personal Financial Management
Phone: (319) 365-7637
Website:

Central Bankers are Trying to Solve the World's Problems

In This Issue of Money and Markets: How Central Bankers are Trying to Solve the World's Problems

Jack Crooks takes a look at the Federal Reserve and their plans to flood the banking system with money. In this issue of Money and Markets, Mr. Crooks examines the British pound and what's in store for it.

Jupiter, FL  - December 23, 2007 -- Jack Crooks takes a look at the Federal Reserve and their plans to flood the banking system with money. Mr. Crooks examines the British pound and what's in store for it.

The U.S. Federal Reserve and four other global central banks have announced a plan to flood the banking system with money. Specifically, the Fed is to auction a minimum of $40 billion in funds to banks in an effort to ease the blockage in the money markets and shore up bank balance sheets. It's also authorizing $24 billion in currency swap lines to channel tens of billions of dollars to other financial institutions based in those banks' jurisdictions.

On December 17, the European Central Bank (ECB) took things one step further by pumping the equivalent of $500 billion into the financial system. This is in addition to the money it promised under the central bank co-op deal with the Federal Reserve. The bank's president, Jean Claude Trichet, has made it clear that bank members will remain focused on the heated pace of inflation, that they are not in a position where rate cuts are an option. And if the ECB is forced to do a U-turn and cut rates, the euro is in trouble. That could take some time, however.

However, things look even more dire in the U.K. The British pound is losing sight of its happy place. Shortly after a dramatic push above the $2 level, it was expected that the British pound would hit a rough patch and fall back. Why? Because sentiment became overly bullish even as the fundamental backdrop in the U.K. was deteriorating.

The market was at a point where it didn't care what was happening in the U.K. economy and across the globe everyone was buying pounds. But as the credit crisis spread beyond U.S. borders, the question marks began to surface in the U.K. No one seemed to take notice until customers lined up outside of Northern Rock bank branches across Great Britain to withdraw their savings. Investors were stopped dead in their tracks.

The Bank of England will keep lowering rates and pushing down the pound's value. And like the rest of Europe, plenty of soft spots are popping up in the U.K.'s economy. But unlike the European Central Bank, the Bank of England is already lowering interest rates. Reluctance among the country's mortgage lenders is also taking its toll. U.K. house prices fell for the third consecutive month in November.

"As rates in the U.K. come down, the British pound will struggle mightily to compete with other currencies around the world," Mr. Crooks states.

To read this issue online, please visit:
http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/Issues.aspx?NewsletterEntryId=1294

About JACK CROOKS & MONEY AND MARKETS    

John (Jack) Crooks is the founder and president of Black Swan Capital, an independent advisory firm specializing in foreign exchange and currency markets investing for retail and institutional clients. A seasoned financial advisory with nearly 20 years of investment experience, Mr. Crooks uses both quantitative and qualitative approaches to determine the fundamental driving force(s) behind the movement of the currency, capital, and commodities markets. He is the editor of Weiss Research's latest investment offerings, World Currency Alert and World Currency Options, which were launched in August 2007.

Mr. Crooks also founded Ross International Asset Management, a discretionary money management firm specializing in global stock, bond, and currency asset management for retail clients. Previously, he was general manager of Plexus Trading, where he specialized in currency futures and commodities trading. During his successful career, Mr. Crooks served as chief currency and futures strategist of M2 Futures Inc., an investment boutique headquartered in Chicago, as well as vice president of Global Strategic Research for an international investment boutique, where he was responsible for providing daily advice and global strategy analysis.

Prior to entering the investment arena, Mr. Crooks held various corporate finance positions. He has written extensively on the subject of global currencies and international economics and has been published in Asian Times, Futures Magazine, Barron's, Bloomberg, Dow Jones Newswire, and across many financial websites. He has also appeared on Bloomberg TV and CNBC.

Mr. Crooks holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Florida State University and a master's in business administration from the University of North Texas.

Money and Markets (www.moneyandmarkets.com) is a free daily investment newsletter from Dr. Martin Weiss and Weiss Research analysts offering the latest investing news and financial insights for the stock market, including tips and advice on investing in gold, energy and oil. Weiss Research, Inc. is located in Jupiter, Florida. For more information about our editors, or to set up an interview, please contact Jennifer Moran at 561-627-3300 or visit www.moneyandmarkets.com.


Press Contact: Andrea Baumwald
Company Name: Weiss Research, Inc.
Phone: 5616273300
Website: http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/Issues.aspx?NewsletterEntryId=1294

China Needs Japanese Music Therapy

Japanese Music Therapy Laboratory Receives USD $35,000,000 Order From China

Sakura Health has accepted an initial order for 5,000 acoustic beds and chairs and 8,000 pillows from a division of the Shanghai Paradise Corporation.

Sydney, Australia (PRWEB) July 12, 2007 -- Japanese music therapy laboratory receives USD $35,000,000 order from China.

Sakura Health has accepted an initial order for 5,000 acoustic beds and chairs and 8,000 pillows from a division of the Shanghai Paradise Corporation.

Spokesperson for the group in Japan, Naoya Yoshikawa, advised that the order was only an initial order and they hoped to receive further orders over the next 12 months of similar size. It is certainly pleasing to receive a substantial order from such a prestige organization.

Smart Ventures, a major shareholder and investor in Sakura Health, was pleased with the order and advised they would be looking to associated finance groups to assist Sakura Health with funding such a sizeable order.

The order is for immediate supply and Smart Ventures will be assisting the manufacturing arm with the sourcing of material, labor and finance to fulfill the order. A spokesperson for the group advises the Health benefits of the technology are enormous. "The Music Therapy system enables patients to realize the true health benefits and longevity of life by increasing their body heat and blood circulation from the inside. It proves The founder and investor of the system is truly a unique and wonderful man."

The spokesperson advises that the system warms the blood and activates the organs, allowing your own system to rejuvenate your heart, heal the mind, and allow for a long and healthy life. For centuries many people have known the benefits of music to heal the body and mind. We believe this is the first time such a large order for a music therapy device has ever been received.

Sakura Health currently distributes its products through the Music Therapy Society in Japan and is expanding daily throughout the world.

For further information contact

Sakura Health Investor Relations
Smart Ventures (A Division of Community Financial Services Group)
Phone +61 2 9420 2070
Email info @ smartventures.com.au

Press Contact: BRETT GOLDSWORTHY
Company Name: Sakura Health
Phone: +61294202070
Website: www.smartventures.com.au

FBI Wants Clear Channel Digital Billboards

Clear Channel Outdoor Enters into Agreement with FBI to Provide Clear Channel Outdoor Digital Billboards for FBI ``Most Wanted Messages''

Company president reveals on ``Today'' show that it's making over 150 digital displays across the country available for bureau's security messages

Initiative follows three successful criminal apprehensions in Philadelphia

PHOENIX--December 24, 2007--Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCO), today announced on NBC's "Today" morning news program an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to display "wanted" messages on all of its digital billboards across the country. This national initiative will commence immediately and follows the successful apprehension of three criminals in Philadelphia as a direct result of information displayed on Clear Channel Outdoor's digital billboard network in that market. In addition to "wanted" bulletins, the FBI will be able to display high-security messages relevant to the communities in which Clear Channel Outdoor's digital billboards operate. A protocol also will be established for high priority "hot pursuit" messages to assist apprehending suspects in the immediate aftermath of the commission of a felony.

"The success of our 'wanted' messages on Clear Channel's digital billboards in Philadelphia was an impressive testament to this new technology's effectiveness in aiding law enforcement," stated Brett Hovington, FBI Community Relations Unit Chief. "The repetitive delivery of information to the public about the Philadelphia fugitives was key to prompting the calls that led to their surprisingly quick apprehension. Some of the most valuable information provided to law enforcement officials is anonymous, which is one of the advantages of billboards. They offer a degree of separation between the tipster and the authorities."

Paul Meyer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Clear Channel Outdoor, was interviewed earlier on "Today" and commented: "Since first launching our digital billboard networks, which are located in nearly 20 cities across the country, we have been committed to using this versatile technology to enhance public safety, from AMBER Alerts to quickly informing the travelling public in Minneapolis within 15 minutes of that City's tragic bridge collapse this past summer. Our partnership with the FBI to use our digital networks to assist in the apprehension of fugitives and provide other critical security messages is a logical extension of this invaluable community service. As more digital networks are deployed across the country, they will soon be an indispensable tool for reaching the travelling public in all national as well as local emergencies and, most importantly, for homeland security initiatives."

Many municipal governments have been quick to embrace digital billboard technology because it affords transportation agencies, police departments and other emergency services an extraordinarily effective means of quickly reaching people away from their homes with important public safety messages. Immediate notification of severe weather conditions, highway closures due to traffic incidents, disaster preparedness needs, or AMBER Alerts for missing or abducted children, can all be delivered to tens of thousands of motorists in real time by utilizing digital billboards.

About Clear Channel Outdoor

Clear Channel Outdoor (NYSE:CCO) is the world's largest outdoor advertising company with over 973,000 displays in more than 60 countries across 6 continents. In the United States, the company operates over 167,000 advertising displays and has a presence in 49 of the top 50 Designated Market Areas. It also operates airport, rail, taxi and mall advertising businesses worldwide. Its Spectacolor (U.S.) and DEFI (international) divisions are the global market leaders in spectacular sign displays, including in New York's Times Square. Clear Channel Adshel is the company's international street furniture division, which operates over 3,500 municipal advertising contracts worldwide. More information may be found by visiting www.clearchanneloutdoor.com.

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Contacts

Clear Channel Outdoor
Tony Alwin, 602-381-5700
or
Brainerd Communicators, Inc.
Jennifer Gery or Brian O'Keefe, 212-986-6667

Alternative Energy Stocks Added to Index

Thirteen New Alternative Energy Stocks Added to Ardour Global Index in Quarterly Rebalancing

Two new stocks in AGI Extra Liquid.

New York, NY (PRWEB) December 19, 2007 -- The Ardour Global Index (TICKER: AGIGL) will add thirteen new components, effective 6:00 PM (EST) Sunday, December 23. No stocks will be deleted from the index, raising the number of index components to one hundred and eleven. The changes result from the index's quarterly rebalancing. Many of the new components qualified for the index based on share price appreciation, which allowed them to pass tests for minimum market capitalization. A complete list of constituents and weights will be posted on the Ardour web site, (www.ardourglobalindexes.com/indexes_agi.php).

The Ardour Global Index is a capitalization-weighted, float adjusted index of 111 of the most prominent alternative energy stocks in the world. Ten of the thirteen additions are listed in North America, two in Europe and one in Australia.

To be included in the AGIGL index stocks must pass multiple screens, including for capitalization, float, exchange listing, share price and turnover.

The AGI Extra Liquid Index (TICKER: AGIXL), which contains a fixed number of 30 stocks, had two additions against two deletions. Dongfang Electrical Machinery and American Superconductor Corporation replace Pacific Ethanol and Aventine Renewable Energy to maintain the fixed 30 component index.

Detailed information, including constituent data, rules and price information, on the AGI family of alternative energy indexes is available at www.ardourglobalindexes.com. Data is also available through most vendors of financial data.

Index - Ticker
Ardour Global Index - AGIGL
Ardour Global Index Extra Liquid - AGIXL

Index Info:
Walter Nasdeo
Ardour Capital Investments, LLC
212-375-2958

Joseph LaCorte
Ardour Global Indexes, LLC
646-467-7927
www.ardourglobalindexes.com

Press Contact: Joseph LaCorte
Company Name: Ardour Global Indexes, LLC
Phone: 646-467-7927
Website: www.ardourglobalindexes.com

Canada's Real Estate Boom FSBO

FSBO Keeps Pace with Canada's Real Estate Boom

As Canada's real estate market continues to defy popular predictions of a slowdown, privately-transacted sales are keeping pace as homeowners look for ways to pocket the fees usually collected by real estate agents. Many owners are now choosing to bypass real estate agents to sell their homes themselves in order to save the average six per cent commission most agents charge. On a $250,000 home, this can amount to $15,000, a hefty sum for most Canadians.

Toronto, ON (PRWEB) September 18, 2007 -- As Canada's real estate market continues to defy popular predictions of a slowdown, privately-transacted sales are keeping pace as homeowners look for ways to pocket the fees usually collected by real estate agents.

Many owners are now choosing to bypass real estate agents to sell their homes themselves in order to save the average six per cent commission most agents charge. On a $250,000 home, this can amount to $15,000, a hefty sum for most Canadians.

Savvy buyers are also seeking out FSBO homes, realizing they can usually get a better bargain without the broker's fee padding the sales price.

The increasing popularity of "For Sale by Owner" or FSBO, as it is known, is understandably unwelcome by real estate brokers, who see themselves squeezed out by those who take advantage of the internet to market their homes on their own. Many brokers tout dire warnings of slower sales and lower prices than those obtained by 'qualified professionals'.

Indeed, real estate agents stand a lot to lose from FSBO. In fact, they stand to lose exactly what sellers stand to gain: a lot of money. So it is little wonder they wish to discourage those who are considering just how much it might pay to sidestep their services.

But despite the statistics widely quoted on all sides of the divide, the truth is that until recently almost no one was tracking FSBO numbers, except the FSBO websites themselves. So assessing just how many people go the FSBO route, and how many are successful at it, has been tricky.

However, a recent study in Madison, Wisconsin by a group of university professors set out to do just that, comparing FSBO with traditional realtor-brokered sales using the 'Multiple Listing Service' or MLS.

On average, they found FSBO sales had a higher net gain for the owner, thanks to the elimination of the brokerage fee, while broker-assisted sales were generally faster than private home sales.

But a recent study by Alliance and Leicester in the UK found FSBO sales were much faster, finding sales by private home-sellers using websites to market their properties took an average two months, while broker-assisted sales took an average three months.

Michael Lawrence, president of PropertySold.ca, a Canadian FSBO website, maintains the time to sale depends on all the same variables, no matter who is doing the selling.

"Location, pricing of the home, and interest rates can all impact time to sell. But the people that do more research, market their property in as many places as possible and price their home properly can sell their home as quickly as an agent can," he says.

He does, however, concede some homeowners who need to sell fast may prefer to go with a real estate broker.

"Some may feel the time pressure outweighs the chance to learn and be successful with FSBO," says Mr Lawrence.

"There are great real estate agents who can sell your property fast, of course --- but you have to pay."

As for the homeowners who are willing to do the hard work and the buyers who see FSBO as offering better-priced homes, he says, their numbers are growing rapidly.

"Our website's traffic has increased exponentially in the last year," says Mr Lawrence. Their website, now in just its third year of operation, sees more than 5000 unique visitors each day, while property listings have doubled in the last year.

"Our clients have sold $118 million dollars in real estate using our tools and services, so we know it works."

Mr Lawrence is quick to point out the success of the system depends a great deal on how much the homeowner is willing to put in, stressing their services do not replace those of a real estate agent.

"The answer lies with the client, not the system. You can't really equate our website with a real estate agent," he cautions. "When using our services the person becomes their own real estate agent, while we are an exposure vehicle as well as a tools provider."

Canada is not the only place where FSBO is a hot ticket. In the US, the slumping real estate market has many homeowners choosing FSBO to maximize their equity - by taking the broker's commission out of the equation, they can price their homes to sell without losing a chunk of their profit in the bargain.

FSBO is catching on in the UK as well, with about 90 websites jostling for the attention of private sellers, who now represent 8% of the sellers' market, up from 5% last year.

Press Contact: Michael Lawrence
Company Name: PropertySold.ca Inc.
Phone: 1-866-686-9929
Website: http://www.propertysold.ca/

Asbestos Lawyers Discuss Steam Pipe Explosion

New York Asbestos Lawyers Discuss Steam Pipe Explosion and Asbestos Testing

The steam pipe explosion near Grand Central Terminal, in New York City, caused at least one death and many serious injuries

New York  - July 20, 2007 -- Earlier this week, a steam pipe explosion near Grand Central Terminal, in New York City, caused at least one death and many serious injuries. The explosion also raised concerns about whether or not asbestos was released into the air when the steam pipe exploded.

New York asbestos lawyer Robert I. Komitor of Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP ("LPK") observed that, "Historically, most steam pipes were insulated with asbestos. Although asbestos insulation has been replaced with non-asbestos substitutes in some of the steam pipes, in New York City, many other pipes continue to be covered in asbestos."

Shortly after the explosion, New York City officials announced that asbestos testing would be conducted to determine if the air surrounding the steam pipe explosion had become contaminated with asbestos.

The New York Times reported that Michael S. Clendenin, a spokesman for Con Edison, which maintains the pipes beneath the city said, "We always assume there's asbestos in a steam pipe… so we are treating these materials sent up by the rupture, including piping, as if asbestos were in them."

Asbestos testing is conducted by pulling a calibrated volume of air through filtering equipment. The sample obtained by the filter is then examined under a microscope for the presence of asbestos. The Environmental Protection Agency publishes procedures for how to determine if asbestos has compromised air quality.

Jerome H. Block, another New York asbestos lawyer with LPK, stated, "The key issue is finding out if the steam pipe that burst was covered in asbestos. If it was, then the airborne dust and debris from that pipe would have contained asbestos."

A material such as pipe covering can be tested for asbestos through a "bulk sampling", which involves taking a small piece of the material and analyzing it under a polarized light microscope.

Asbestos testing is typically performed by scientists trained in industrial hygiene or material sciences.

Worried about the possibility of asbestos exposure, New York City health experts advised that people in the vicinity of the explosion discard their clothes and bathe carefully.

Asbestos is a known human carcinogen; exposure to it is known to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Scientists have not identified any safe level of asbestos exposure. Most cases of asbestos cancer are caused by exposure to asbestos products. Asbestos has been used not only in steam pipe covering, but also in many other industrial and home products, including gaskets, packing, cable, joint compounds, brake linings, clutch facings and equipment, such as boilers and pumps.

For more information about asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases, visit www.lpklaw.com/mesothelioma-asbestos . Messrs. Komitor and Block were recently featured in New York Magazine as two of "New York Area's Best Lawyers" in recognition of their work as asbestos lawyers in the New York metropolitan area.

Press Contact: Jay Berkowitz
Company Name: CEPAC
Phone: (561) 716-1334
Website: http://www.lpklaw.com

New Online Mortgage Loans Approach Borrowers

NameYourLoan.com Diversifies Current Lending Environment for Borrowers with New Approach to Online Mortgage Loans

New online mortgage auction site, NameYourLoan.com, has revolutionized the way borrowers obtain mortgage loans online. As a unique and creative online community, borrowers can easily connect with the best mortgage lenders while lenders benefit from a wealth of real time mortgage leads and opportunities for business growth.

(PRWEB) December 12, 2007 -- In today's tough lending environment, littered with deceitful lenders and cunning tactics, it's high time for a revolutionary tool that can empower borrowers yet still benefit lenders. NameYourLoan.com has answered the need with the launch of a new online mortgage auction site designed to give consumers access to an increasing mortgage lenders network to ultimately obtain great online mortgage loans.

"For centuries, auctions have been the most efficient and effective way to get the best deals in everything," says Al Salahi, President and CEO of NameYourLoan.com. "Why not have auctions for all mortgage loan types?"

NameYourLoan.com is an online community where borrowers can easily connect with the best mortgage lenders. Lenders compete with one another in an online auction to win the borrower's business. As numerous lenders submit loan offers, the site enables consumers to see "apples to apples", compare mortgage interest rates and achieve the lowest rate mortgage online such as the best home equity loan rate or home refinance loan.

The site's sophisticated computer system compiles and calculates all the information submitted by lenders (interest rates, points, fees, terms, etc.) and then ranks loan offers, based on their true worth relative to the borrower's stated preferences (lowest rate, lowest fees or best combination of rates and fees). This simplified process gives borrowers a coherent presentation of information without having to do the math themselves.

Unlike other online mortgage comparison shopping services, only those lenders who come out at the top of the auction with the lowest interest rates and fees get a chance at the borrower's business. Moreover, borrowers can invite their friend or relative lender to participate in the borrower's auction quickly and without cost. Lenders who refuse to participate are most likely high priced and not the best mortgage lenders.

"Through advanced technology, we are starting to make haggling and deceptive lending tactics a thing of the past," explains Salahi. "At the same time, we are transforming a generally stressful and complicated process into a very pleasant and easy experience for borrowers. Our multiple bid auction format, coupled with constant consumer feedback, will make it easy for us to weed out dishonest lenders--and hopefully put them out of business!"

Use of NameYourLoan.com is completely free for borrowers. Borrowers are under no obligation to accept any of the online mortgage loans offered in the auction. To protect against identity theft and fraud, site users are never asked for sensitive information, and lenders that receive multiple consumer complaints will be barred from future auctions.
For more information, visit NameYourLoan.com.

About NameYourLoan.com:
NameYourLoan.com is the world's first online mortgage auction, designed to advance the lending process by helping honest and competitive lenders grow their business, and at the same time, make it possible for borrowers to instantaneously reach multiple lenders and receive competitive loan offers online, in an auction format. NameYourLoan.com uses a patent-pending concept powered by sophisticated proprietary software that has been developed by a number of technology heavyweights from the Fortune 500 arena.

Press Contact: Al Salahi
Company Name: NameYourLoan.com
Phone: 866-874-1010
Website: http://www.nameyourloan.com

Medical Service Company Lawsuit Against Health Systems

Briggs Medical Service Company Announces Lawsuit Against Health Systems Solutions, Inc.

Briggs Medical Service Company ("Briggs"), of West Des Moines, Iowa, has filed a lawsuit against Health Systems Solutions, Inc. ("HSS"), f/k/a Healthcare Quality Solutions, Inc., of Tampa, Florida, in United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division under case number 8:07-cv-01634.

Des Moines, IA (PRWEB) September 20, 2007-- Briggs Medical Service Company ("Briggs"), of West Des Moines, Iowa, has filed a lawsuit against Health Systems Solutions, Inc. ("HSS"), f/k/a Healthcare Quality Solutions, Inc., of Tampa, Florida, in United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division under case number 8:07-cv-01634.

In the lawsuit Briggs (www.briggscorp.com) seeks injunctive and monetary relief from HSS for copyright infringement, breach of contract, and interference with Briggs current, past and prospective customers. The lawsuit alleges that HSS is engaging in unauthorized copying of, and preparation of derivative works based on Briggs copyrighted medical record-keeping compliance materials, and HSS is using such infringing works in connection with its promotion of a business directly competing with Briggs.

According to Stephan P. Hoffman, Executive Vice President of Briggs, "this lawsuit is consistent with our commitment to protecting our intellectual property rights and it is our intention to vigorously pursue violators of these rights."
HSS is registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the trading symbol "HSSO". The principal stockholder of HSS is Stanford International Bank Ltd.

About Briggs
Briggs Medical Service Company (www.briggscorp.com) is a privately-held company and is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa. Briggs and its affiliated companies employ approximately 500 people located primarily in Iowa, Illinois, and Georgia. Briggs is an international producer and distributor to the health care industry of proprietary medical forms and documentation systems, charting products, education and training materials, and medical supply products.

Contact
Stephan P. Hoffman,
Executive Vice President
Briggs Medical Service Company
7300 Westown Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
1.800.247.2343 ext. 8719
Hoffman.Steve(@)BriggsCorp.com

Press Contact: Stephan P. Hoffman
Company Name: Briggs Corporation
Phone: 1.800.247.2343+8719
Website: www.briggscorp.com

Diseases Caused By Asbestos

Asbestos: Lessons in Shame

How can a tiny mineral kill tens of thousands of people and cost industry billions of dollars? It's actually pretty simple when the mineral is a carcinogen called asbestos and companies tried to hide its dangers. Diseases caused by asbestos include: mesothelioma (http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com), lung cancer, and asbestosis.

(PRWEB) December 13, 2007 -- The Surviving Mesothelioma website http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com has listed some of the most outrageous examples of companies hiding the truth about deadly asbestos from the public and their own employees. The result of this shameful behavior is that thousands of healthy people of all ages have become stricken with debilitating and deadly diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

For example in the early 1940's, the president of a major asbestos manufacturing company said that the managers of another company were "a bunch of fools for notifying employees who had asbestosis." When one of the people in attendance asked, "Do you mean to tell me you would let them work until they drop dead?" According to deposition testimony, the response was, "Yes. We save a lot of money that way."

One of the people that may have saved these companies money was Paul Kraus. When Paul was a young man he worked downwind from a factory that cut asbestos sheets. Paul remembers the blue dust wafting in the air and settling all around him - on his clothes, hands and arms, and on his work area. Thirty years later he would be diagnosed with mesothelioma - the "asbestos caused cancer." His prognosis was six months to live. Unlike many others, Paul was quite fortunate. He followed his own path to healing and continues to live a healthy, quality life, ten years after he was first diagnosed. He described his experiences in his acclaimed book: Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient's Guide.

To learn more about the outrageous corporate behavior that led to exposing tens of thousands of people to asbestos visit:http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com/mesothelioma-asbestos-lessons.cfm

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and want to learn more about mesothelioma survivor Paul Kraus' story visit:http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com

Press Contact: Michael Horwin
Company Name: Cancer Monthly
Phone: 919-570-8595
Website: http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com

Avandia Withdrawal Rates Low Despite Risks

Avandia Withdrawal Rates Are Far Lower in EU than in the US, According to TNS Healthcare

LONDON, December 9, 2007- New research from TNS Healthcare's DiabetesDynamics shows major differences between the US and Europe in Avandia prescribing since the publication of a meta-analysis in New England Journal of Medicine (May 2007) raising concerns about cardiac safety. In the US between July and September of 2007 nearly 70% of Avandia prescribing changes resulted from withdrawals-mainly physicians switching patients to another therapy. The picture in the five main European countries was very different, however, with withdrawals ranging from 42% to just 3% of all Avandia prescribing changes.

"Avandia prescribing has always been dynamic," says Philip O'Hagan, International Client Services Director for TNS Healthcare. "Our research shows that, in the first half of 2007, 20% of physician consultations in the US resulted in some kind of therapy change. During that time, 84% of those changes were positive-physicians starting new patients on Avandia, adding it to existing regimens or switching patients to Avandia from other therapies. In the third quarter-following Avandia's reported link to cardiac risk-there was a dramatic turnaround, with almost 70% of Avandia changes in the US resulting from doctors taking patients off the drug.

"Europe has seen far less drastic change in Avandia prescribing. As in the US, during the first half of the year, the vast majority of Avandia prescribing changes in Europe were positive-93% in Spain, 92% in Germany and Italy, 88% in the UK and 80% in France. In the third quarter, we do see a rise in patients taken off Avandia, with withdrawals accounting for 42% of prescribing changes in the UK, 30% in France, 28% in Spain, 12% in Germany and 3% in Italy. The increase in European Avandia withdrawals, however, is not nearly as dramatic as in the US."

Fear about Cardiovascular Risks Is Lower in Europe

DiabetesDynamics reveals that one of the main reasons physicians in the US are switching patients from Avandia is its reported link to cardiovascular risks. During the first half of 2007, there were no cases of switching due to cardiac problems, though there were the first rumblings that publicity about side effects was beginning to have an effect. During the third quarter of the year, however, there was a massive change, with cardiac problems now the reason for 20% of Avandia withdrawals.

Once again however, the story across much of Europe was different, though results varied by country. UK physicians expressed the same concerns as US doctors, citing cardiac risks as the driver behind 28% of withdrawals. Physicians in other European countries, however, did not share these concerns over cardiac safety. For instance, no Spanish physicians mentioned cardiac risk as a reason for prescribing changes. (continued)

"Clearly, reports of Avandia being linked to increased cardiovascular risk are having a different impact in different countries," says O'Hagan. "While the reports have had a huge effect on US prescribing, their influence has been less intense and less consistent across Europe. There is quite a wide range in the levels of both withdrawal activity and cardiac concern from country to country. These variations make it critical for companies to track Avandia prescribing across all their key markets-and be able to compare and respond to different dynamics.

"Over the next several months, we will use DiabetesDynamics to monitor prescribing activity across the US and major European markets, tracking what happens to patients taken off Avandia or other treatments.which therapies are serving as replacements and why.and how recent media reports have affected other drugs and classes. With the recent withdrawal of Exubera and new concerns over Byetta's possible link to acute pancreatitis, the upheaval in the diabetes market is likely to continue and grow. Diabetes marketers will need ongoing, market-specific information to manage their brands effectively in this volatile environment."

DiabetesDynamics Tracks Therapy Changes

TNS Healthcare's findings on diabetes prescribing changes are drawn from DiabetesDynamics-its quarterly resource for tracking therapy changes and the causative factors behind them in the type-2 diabetes market. DiabetesDynamics samples only type-2 diabetes patients who have experienced some type of treatment change in their last consultation. It focuses on monitoring market dynamics, including prescribing initiations, switches, add-ins, dosage changes and withdrawals, as well as the impact of new launches, competitive activity or other market events.

About TNS Healthcare.

TNS Healthcare provides market research consulting to the worldwide pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries, as well as health-focused ad agencies, media and analysts. It offers globally consistent solutions and custom advisory services to support product introductions; brand, treatment and sales performance optimization; and physician and DTC promotional assessment.

Informing decisions across the life cycle, TNS Healthcare offers action-ready insights for pre-launch landscaping, market and opportunity assessment, segmentation, positioning, message and campaign creation, pricing, forecasting, attitude and awareness measurement and post-launch tracking. It delivers information across stakeholders-including physicians, patients and consumers-to help companies anticipate and impact customers' behaviors. TNS Healthcare provides both qualitative and quantitative offerings, using traditional and on-line methodologies, combining worldwide reach with local expertise.

About TNS.

TNS is a global market insight and information group.

Our strategic goal is to be recognized as the global leader in delivering value-added information and insights that help our clients to make more effective decisions.

As industry thought leaders, our people deliver innovative thinking and excellent service to global organizations and local clients worldwide. We work in partnership with our clients, meeting their needs for high-quality information, analysis and foresight across our network of over 70 countries.

We are the world's foremost provider of custom research and analysis, combining in-depth industry sector understanding with world-class expertise in the areas of Retail and Shopper Insights, Stakeholder Management, New Product Development, and Brand and Communications.

We are a major supplier of consumer panel, media intelligence and internet, TV and radio audience measurement services.

TNS is the sixth sense of business.

For More Information.

For more information on DiabetesDyamics, please contact Philip O'Hagan at +44 1372 825622 or Philip.O'Hagan@tns-global.com. To learn more about TNS Healthcare, please visit our Web site at www.tnsglobal.com/healthcare or contact Ilene Siegalovsky, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at 201-836-0040, ext. 225 or Ilene.Siegalovsky@tns-global.com.

Lenders Plan For Homeowners with Sub-Prime Mortgages

Mortgage Lenders Finalizing Plan to Help Homeowners with Sub-Prime Mortgages

Direct Mortgage Pro, an online resource for home financing options, expects borrowers to benefit from an aid plan currently being finalized by mortgage lenders and regulators.

Washington (PRWEB) December 8, 2007 -- Some of the nation's top lenders and regulators for the mortgage industry are meeting to firm up plans to help homeowners with sub prime mortgages, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. Organizations like Direct Mortgage Pro, which work with lenders to provide the best financing options for home buyers, expect this to benefit homeowners as credit tightens in the United States.

"We are working aggressively and quickly ... to help financially responsible but struggling homeowners," said Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. "We are determined to bring this diverse group together, to develop a set of standards that will be implemented across the industry, from the largest mortgage servicers to the smaller specialty servicers."

As credit tightens in the United States, and sub prime home loans are becoming uncommon, future homeowners should be less likely to end up in this credit crunch. Many current homeowners are close to default, though, as the adjustable rates on their sub prime mortgage program skyrocket. Some financial experts believe these mortgage rates should be temporarily frozen to make it easier for these homeowners to make their mortgage payments and keep their homes.

Companies like Direct Mortgage Pro, however, are working to provide today's home buyers with the best mortgage rates and lending programs, so they will not find themselves in this position in the future.

For more information about the current mortgage market and financing options, visit www.directmortgagepro.com

About Direct Mortgage Pro:
Direct Mortgage Pro believes that getting the best rates and terms on a mortgage should not be a stressful, time-consuming process. They provide what their clients need without wasting any time. By filling out a brief form, borrowers will have a highly trained mortgage coach contact them in a timely manner.

Contact:
Shane Copeland
858-342-1417
email protected from spam bots
Direct Mortgage Pro
www.directmortgagepro.com

Press Contact: Shane Copeland
Company Name: www.directmortgagepro.com
Phone: 858-342-1417
Website: http://www.directmortgagepro.com

New Occupational Asbestos Exposure Information

LegalView to Update Mesothelioma Site with Occupational Asbestos Exposure Information

Recognizing that thousands of American workers may have had occupational exposure to asbestos during the 20th century, LegalView adds occupational mesothelioma information.

Denver, CO  - October 10, 2007 -- LegalView.com, your complete online resource for everything legal on the web, is proud to inform readers that they can now find even more complete, accurate information on the circumstances surrounding the deadly cancer mesothelioma through its mesothelioma law information portal.

Mesothelioma is a very serious type of lung cancer that is almost always caused by preventable occupational exposure to asbestos, a building material that was extremely common in shipyards, construction and other heavy industry in the decades following World War II. Hundreds of thousands of American workers and service members were exposed to asbestos in the course of their jobs.

Because mesothelioma symptoms can remain dormant for decades after exposure, mesothelioma continues to appear in retired workers even today. As a service to victims of mesothelioma and anyone who may have been exposed to asbestos, LegalView.com is proud to announce the development of an ever growing resource devoted to exploring occupations at risk from asbestos, with many articles detailing how employees in certain occupations might have a higher risk of becoming a mesothelioma victim.

Since the early 20th century it has been commonly known among the scientific and medical communities that asbestos causes mesothelioma and other serious health problems. According to several U.S. government reports, documents exposed in the 1970s illustrated that the asbestos industry and the federal government knew for decades that asbestos was dangerous, but covered it up, fearing a legal backlash As a result, workers in industries that used asbestos heavily continued to be exposed, in some cases as late as 1990, with some workers still possibly being exposed today. Decades later, these workers are at a drastically increased risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma. And unfortunately, mesothelioma is almost always deadly; victims have a median survival rate of six months to a year after diagnosis.

Visitors who would like to learn more about the legal issues surrounding mesothelioma, asbestos exposure and related health concerns are invited to visit LegalView.com's new mesothelioma legal help portal at mesothelioma.legalview.com.

Recognizing that mesothelioma will be a public health problem for decades, LegalView has established a collection of original articles on the disease; a glossary of terms; up-to-date news articles; FDA alerts; and jury verdicts and settlements. In addition to new features, such as detailed information about mesothelioma symptoms, causes, companies that used asbestos, as well as treatment resources. Also, visitors to the mesothelioma portal can utilize the free mesothelioma lawyer referral service to find a mesothelioma attorney in their state.

The mesothelioma portal is just part of LegalView's collection of free, comprehensive information on the legal issues important to Americans. Visitors with broader legal concerns can use LegalView.com's many information portals to help them find a construction accident attorney, a brain injury lawyer, or a auto accident.

Along with the attorney referral services for these different issues, readers can find original, factual and clearly written information; the latest news and research, including blogs dedicated to a specific legal issue; government information and releases; and guides to relevant legal and medical terms.

LegalView.com is a free service to the public, brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of highly respected national law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez McHugh; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's distinguished sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at http://www.legalview.com/.

Press Contact: Peter Kent
Company Name: LegalView.com 
 Phone: 720-771-3246
Website: http://www.legalview.com

Cell Phone Ads To Infest Phones

SMS Media Group Launches 'Cell Phone Ads'

SMS Media Group announces the launch of Cell Phone Ads, the first of its kind network for advertisers to market to opt-in cell phone subscribers. Cell Phone Ads offers a non-intrusive way to advertise on cell phones due to the fact that subscribers have signed up to receive content they enjoy getting on a regular basis that is ad-supported.

Aliso Viejo, CA (PRWEB) December 3, 2007 -- SMS Media Group announces the launch of Cell Phone Ads, the first of its kind network for advertisers to market to opt-in cell phone subscribers.

The Cell Phone Ads network lets advertisers place up to 60 characters of text on mobile content such as news, entertainment, finance and other timely alerts.

Advertising on cell phones is predicted to be worth $10 billion by 2010, and SMS is expected to be the most widely used platform by wireless users. Over 350 billion text messages are sent each month around the world, with over 15 percent of these messages, according to Yankee Group, being commercial or marketing in nature.

Unlike mobile web or mobile search advertising, Cell Phone Ads offers direct SMS marketing to the wireless users inbox. These advertisements can be targeted according to user demographics and list preferences. "It's the next evolution of direct marketing, and it's virtually untapped by advertisers," says Gary Brooks President of SMS Media Group.

Cell Phone Ads offers a non-intrusive way to advertise on cell phones due to the fact that subscribers have signed up to receive content they enjoy getting on a regular basis.

"The Cell Phone Ads network was developed to fulfill three purposes," explains Brooks ... "First, to provide a way for advertisers to reach their mobile audience; second, to allow publishers to monetize their mobile content; and third, to allow subscribers to receive mobile content that is ad-supported."

According to Forrester Research, 43 percent of U.S. marketers are using or are about to use mobile marketing in the next 12 months, and nearly 90 percent of major brands plan to market on mobile phones by 2008.

To learn more about advertising on cell phones or to request a data card, go to CellPhoneAds.com.

About SMS Media Group
Founded in 2002, SMS Media Group (SMSMG) is a mobile media company specializing in permission-based SMS communications to cell phones, otherwise known as "text messaging." The company's focus and strategy is divided into three segments: messaging, advertising, and content. SMSMG's mobile messaging platform, SMSdelivery™, allows businesses to send text messages to wireless subscribers.

Press Contact: GARY BROOKS
Company Name: SMS Media Group Inc
Phone: 888-681-3965
Website: http://smsmediagroup.com

Student Loan Financial Group Account Gained

Work Media Lands Student Loan Financial Group Account

Work Media, a Nashville, TN, based Internet marketing firm, recently landed the online search account for Student Loan Financial Group (SLFG), a Maryland-based private supplier of student loans. The account was awarded to Work Media after a review that included some of the largest search engine marketing firms in the United States.

Nashville, Tennessee (PRWEB) December 6, 2007 -- Work Media, a Nashville, TN, based Internet marketing firm, recently landed the online search account for Student Loan Financial Group (SLFG), a Maryland-based private supplier of student loans. The account was awarded to Work Media after a review that included some of the largest search engine marketing firms in the United States.

"We offered the client a comprehensive search program that has already proven to be of tremendous value to them," says Jerry Work, president of Work Media. "When we were named a finalist for the business, SLGF compared and tested our methodology against that of the other much larger finalist. In the end, our proprietary techniques delivered better results and the account was awarded to Work Media."

Within the first week of launching the paid search campaign, the Work Media-managed search ads were delivering student loan applications at half of SLFG's target cost.

Work Media's client list includes Honda Power Equipment, Bentley Systems (an engineering software company), and Columbia State Community College. Work Media is partially owned by Frank/Best International (FBI), a full-service advertising agency in Nashville.

For additional information, contact Jerry Work at 615-473-2045 or via email at jwork @ workmedia.net.

About Work Media
Work Media is a search marketing firm in Nashville that specializes in using natural and paid search campaigns to drive targeted traffic to web sites.


Press Contact: Jerry Work
Company Name: Work Media
Phone: 615-263-2811
Website: http://www.workmedia.net

How to Search for the Best Offset Mortgage

Offset Mortgage Centre Tell Home Buyers How to Search for the Best Offset Mortgage

The Offset Mortgage Centre tells home buyers and investors how to find the best offset mortgage deals in their recently published article.

(PRWEB) December 1, 2007 -- The leading flexible and offset mortgage review site, The Offset Mortgage Centre, are pleased to announce the recent publication of their free online guide to 'Searching for the Best Offset Mortgage' on their website (http://www.offsetmortgagecentre.co.uk). The guide along with more from the series can be found here: http://www.offsetmortgagecentre.co.uk/best-offset-mortgage.html.

"There are many mortgage comparison sites that provide side by side comparisons of the best offset mortgage deals, however, rarely do two mortgage comparison sites agree," said Terry Ruddy, Online Marketing Director of OffsetMortgageCentre.co.uk, "some sites use different data sources which can be updated at different times, other sites show different lenders. These nuances make it very confusing for the consumer when searching for the best offset mortgage".

The objective of the guide is give the consumer a deeper understanding of the pitfalls of using comparisons sites to find the best offset mortgage and what the consumer can do to overcome these.

The guide also explains how personal circumstances are not factored into the equation when a particular borrower uses a comparison site to find the best offset mortgage and describes various scenarios which help the borrower to select the most suitable offset mortgage for them.

About The Offset Mortgage Centre

The Offset Mortgage Centre is a non profit website designed to provide a comprehensive resource for visitors interested in gaining more flexibility, saving money or reducing the term of their home finance.

The goal of the website is to educate the mortgage layman in the concept, features, benefits and negative aspects of a Flexible or Offset Mortgage.

For more information on finding the best offset mortgage, please visit http://www.offsetmortgagecentre.co.uk/best-offset-mortgage.html


Press Contact: Terry Ruddy
Company Name: Offset Mortgage Centre
Phone: 01480 214400
Website: http://www.offsetmortgagecentre.co.uk/