Global Leasing Toolkit Now Available
Long Time Project Complete

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a part of the World Bank Group, has released the Global Leasing Toolkit in an effort to spur lease financing, especially in areas that can utilize commercial and industrial growth.

The Global Leasing Toolkit is designed to assist investment and advisory clients of IFC, consisting of banks, companies and individuals throughout the world in establishing and operating a leasing company. It was co-authored by:

Robert Homans
Founder of Norden Capital
Independent Financial Services Consultant
Currently of Kyiv, Ukraine

Robert Teichman, CLP
Chairman of the Leasing News Advisory Board
Teichman Financial Training

The actual set consists of two books and a cd rom (in a pocket inside one of the books). The cd rom includes all the text and photos of the two books, plus sample documents and other materials. It is interactive and web-enabled. The Toolkit is intended for the use of IFC's regional officers worldwide, listed in the in the Introduction (1).

The Global Leasing Toolkit consists of several Sections, including: Establishing a Leasing Company; Funding a Leasing Company and Funding a Lease Transaction; Lease Production, including Marketing and Pricing; Lease Processing, including credit, documentation, insurance and lease servicing; Leasing Company Operations, including accounting with an emphasis on management accounting, and IT.

In addition there are 4 "Focused Toolkits," including:

• Leasing of Agricultural Equipment
• Leasing of Sustainable Energy Equipment
• Regulatory and Supervisory Issues applying to leasing <
• Islamic Leasing ("Ijarah"). Authored by Matt Troniak (exdir@gmail.com), the co-authors believe that the Focused Toolkit on Ijarah is the most extensive treatment of the subject ever released.

The Global Leasing Toolkit makes extensive use of examples and case studies, all based on actual transactions, gained from the experience of the co-authors, as well as IFC's 35 years of experience in leasing advisory work and investing throughout the world. Included is a collection of international sample documents plus an extensive international glossary of leasing terms.

If you are an IFC investment or advisory client and want to obtain a copy of the Global Leasing Toolkit, or if you would like additional information about the Toolkit or learn more about IFC’s activities in leasing globally, please contact IFC at the dedicated web page - (http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/globalfm.nsf/Content/Global+Leasing+Toolkit), where you can also download a copy of the introduction.

In addition please feel free to contact either of the co-authors directly, as some of the World Bank (and IFC) publications are available to the public. They can usually be found on Amazon. com, but at this date the Toolkit is not for sale, but available to IFC's regional officers worldwide. Again, for questions, please contact:

Robert Homans
(roberthomans@gmail.com)

Robert Teichman, CLP
(botei@aol.com)

1. Toolbook Introduction PDF:
   http://leasingnews.org/PDF/GlobalToolkit_Introduction.pdf
   

 

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Classified Ads---Sales Manager

(These ads are “free” to those seeking employment
or looking to improve their position)

Bayville, NJ Dedicated individual seeking a account management position, 3 years leasing experience and 15+ years sales experience. Resume furnished upon request, email Frank at weag4th@gmail.com .

Fort Myers, Florida Very experienced and strong skills with both Captive and Specialty Sales Management. Over 25 years , will relocate and travel---successful and team player. e-mail: tlinspections@gmail.com

 

Free Posting for those seeking employment in Leasing:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

All “free” categories “job wanted” ads:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

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Ascentium Capital Copying First Sierra?
by Christopher Menkin

Thomas J. Depping Looking Out Upon Houston, Texas, circa 2000
(photo by Charlie Lester)

Steve Schachtel is the third person to bring his company over to Ascentium Capital, Kingwood, Texas (located in northeast Houston), started by Thomas J. “Tom “Depping, who is best known for his company First Sierra/Sierra Cities---He started with a $1 million investment (1), sold to American Express Leasing, March, 2001, who then sold the company in November, 2004, to Key Equipment Finance (division of KeyCorp) among problems with RW Professional Leases reportedly in the First Sierra portfolio (see story that follows.)

Thomas Depping, Chief Executive Officer
(Photo: Ascentium Capital)

Depping brought in many small companies to Sierra Cities to become First Sierra, hoping their success would contribute to his company with a central funding source and operation.

“General Interlease Corporation (GIC) 6/96
(a Florida, Colonial Pacific Pegasus Lease Dealer)
Corporate Leasing Group 9/96
Lease Pro, Inc. 2/97
Heritage Credit Services, Inc. 5/97
Universal Fleet Leasing 5/97
Public Funding Corporation 6/97
Northcoast Capital Leasing Company 9/97
Financial Management Services dba Cascade Leasing 9/97
Heritage Credit Services of Oregon 11/97
All American Financial Services 11/97
Independent Capital Corporation (ICC) 3/98
Integrated Lease Management (ILM) 3/98
OMNI Leasing 4/98
Vendor Leasing Services 4/98
TFS, Inc. dba The Money Source 6/98
21st Century 6/98 Republic Group, Inc. (Anaheim) 7/98
Suffolk Street Group (England) 7/98
Brooker Montague Leasing Limited 8/98
Titan Finance Limited 10/98
Fifth Third Leasing 6/99
Capital Alliance Financial 12/99” (2)

Many of those who joined, eventually left, some were asked to leave like Mark McQuitty and Jim Raeder, who pled guilty in Operation Lease Fleece. (3) The late Charlie Lester, who brought his company over, wrote about it September 27, 2000
(edited by Kit Menkin). (2)

Richard Baccaro
Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing
(Photo: Ascentium Capital)

Many of the key people at Ascentium are from First Sierra/Sierra Cities. First was Chase Leasing, who brought their health sales division over, followed by Richard Baccaro of American Equipment Finance, each had perhaps eight follow them, although the exact number was not published. The latest is Steve Schachtel of three year old U. $. Funding, Woodland Park, New Jersey, now named senior vice-president, per the press release about the announcement, reporting to Richard Baccaro, who is executive vice-president of sales and marketing for Ascentium Capital. (There is a complaint against American Equipment Finance, which also earlier this year, an attempt made to settle the matter. (4)

Stephen Schachtel

The number of staff brought with U $. Funding was not announced. Well-known to lease brokers and lessors, Schachtel was president of Lakeland Bank Equipment Division, hit hard by lease writes offs: "The bank previously said high diesel fuel costs hurt independent truckers and equipment lease originators, including one that owed $46 million related to 1,400 leases."
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202009/06-12-09.htm#lakeland

Lakeland..."(10/08) Let's go its Equipment Leasing Division President Stephen Schachtel by "mutual agreement, "as per the SEC filing. Chief Executive Officer Tom Shara said the replacement of Schachtel with the division's number two man, Robert Ingram, is part of a plan to downsize the leasing business. "We want to go to a local leasing platform. We don't want to do a national lease book of business," said the former TD Banknorth executive who took over as CEO in April after former President & CEO Roger Bosma retired. Heavy losses in truck leasing reported, particularly by one major lessee.) http://www.leasingnews.org/list_alpha_new.htm#lake

Ascentium Capital is backed by Vulcan Capital, the private investment group of Paul G. Allen, and a group of investors led by LKCM Capital Group, LLC (“LKCM”), the alternative investment vehicle for Luther King Capital Management.

(1) Tom Depping Biography (www.mainstreetbank.com)
http://leasingnews.org/items/tomdepping_121211.jpg
(click to make larger if does not open in full)

(2)Sierra Cities Special Report
http://www.leasingnews.org/articles.doc/newsletter3.htm

(3) All 23 are going to jail
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/November%202007/11-14-07.htm#jail

(4) Bulletin Board Complaint, American Equipment Finance http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/BBC_AEF.htm

Comprehensive personal property tax outsourcing services We accept file exports and integrate personal property tax information with all lease management or accounting software. No other firm offers the combination of individual attention, software capabilities expertise, "full disclosure" and web port accessibility to information more than we do. Click here to learn what our clients say about our service Gary DiLillo, President 440.871.0555 or gary@avptc.com

Barry Drayer May Be out on Parole
by Christopher Menkin

The New York Times reported on June 21, 2002:

"Forty federal agents raided the small headquarters of a company that leases medical equipment and arrested its top officers on June 21 for what prosecutors described as nationwide bank frauds that could total $200 million.

"Just 10 days of investigation into a small part of the company's dealings found $6.5 million of fraud, prosecutors said in United States District Court in Central Islip, where three suspects were arraigned. A fourth was arraigned in Boston.

"Prosecutors said that the company, the RW Professional Leasing Corporation, concocted elaborate schemes using up to 100 rented mailboxes as far away as California to send phony checks, sham invoices, bogus leases and other false documents to banks in various states. Based on those documents, the banks lent RW millions of dollars to buy equipment and lease it out, prosecutors said

"The schemes included multiple loans from different banks for the same medical equipment and loans for equipment that was never bought or leased, prosecutors said."

First Sierra was probably the largest credit, but at the time, the company was now owned by American Express Business Finance.

All the officers were personally found guilty, several sent to jail, including the president Barry Drayer, who appears has served his time, as he made an appeal June 21, 2011 in the form of “forma pauperis” (A) July 6, 2011 was an inmate earning 12 cents an hour, having $100, and appears separated or divorce (no dependents), and is required current restitution estimated at $15 million (b) and motion was approved (c)

This lead to an amendment to sentencing November 19, 2010, list amounts he owes to be paid at 10% of his gross monthly income, 60 days after the release from prison (shall not seek employment involving brokering financial deals for doctors), list banks owed money, and to serve his time at the federal camp in Devens, Massachusetts to be near his family. (D). ( Galleon hedge fund founder Raj Rajaratnam was sentenced on October 13, 2011 for 11 years at Devens Prison.)

It should be noted the $20 million case brought by American Express Business Finance Corporation as successor to Sierracities.com Inc. August 19, 2002 was discontinued due to the FBI case against Barry Drayer and others as well as RW Professional, Inc. (E)

He was 62 when arrested June 21, 2002 and may be 72 years, getting time served while in trial.

1. Barry Motion
   http://leasingnews.org/PDF/BarryAppeal.pdf
   

(b) Barry
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/DrayerMotion.pdf

(C) Granted
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/BarryDrayer.pdf

(D) Amended final judgment
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Ammended_finaljugdgment.pdf

(E) American Express Stipulation of Discontinuance
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/americanexpress_case_dismissed.pdf

Story about RW Professional, Inc.
----"Take the Money and Run" Three parts
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/moneyandrun1.htm

(Leasing News provides this ad “gratis” as a means
to help support the growth of Lease Police)

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U.S.A.

At press time, $900
(need to reach $1525 to match challenge)

John Caulfield, President, Forum Financial Services, saw that we had raised only $525. He challenged readers to donate $50 or more, and when it reached $1,000 in new contributions, he would double it by donating $1,000.

You can have the donation to your community or specific Salvation Army Service.

(Please click on kettle)

CANADA
At press time, zero

(Please click on kettle)

Note: URL that follows allows you to choose your Country of
residence and method of payment:
https://secure20.salvationarmy.org/

Leasing 102
by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP

“Business Plans for 2012”

Actually, this should have been finalized by management last month, perhaps even earlier, depending on the size of your company. Then when the time is right, either before or the lull, but before leaving for a long vacation. Perhaps like a football team, the various coaches have their own departments and communication, and report to the head coach who works with the owners of the company if budgets are to be changed.

The question of how much input the staff has had in the final plan is a very important question. Each area of the company from credit to sales must have a goal for next year from faster turnaround to fewer turn downs from unacceptable credits. So goals must reflect the advances necessary to move the company forward beyond just the incentive to make more money!

It should not be the “same old, same old,” as times have changed; automation is here, new selling techniques, processing, accounting, and to realize the internet has changed our industry, too, not just the post office.

This may sound strange but I think you should have everyone sign the business plan to make sure they understand it and are comfortable with it. If not “why”? --- which may require you to change some of your assumptions or require a change of personnel. Then I would set some company monthly goals to review, as the year moves on, being prepared to critically look at your progress and make the necessary changes. If you fail to make the goals everyone will know why. If you make your goals everyone will know why and success is the name of the game.

To set a proper goal for any department requires something that is a stretch, but not unattainable, after considering the input from that area. On many occasions, in my career, edicts from afar (upper management) were passed down that made me wonder if they were on the same planet because there was no input from the trenches and it appeared that they began with the answer (what profit level they wanted) and decided how much volume it took and how to do it with fewer people or a very tight budget. The GE way is to cut the department, until it is again working well, then cut it again, until it is again working well, and then perhaps one more time or merge it with another department. That might work for GE because they are so large, but the old American Way is not just to work harder, but smarter---often a cliché that goes in one ear and out the other. More people need to take Six Sigma Quality and Credit training.

The three parts to creating a business plan and then compensation programs must start with a discussion about markets and capabilities within those markets with regards to the state of the economy and those markets own predictions of business next year. A review of those industries trade publications would give you some clues. Next a candid review of your success rate with-in those markets. Don’t listen to the hype, look at the numbers. Perhaps chose one or two additional markets to explore, but be careful not to venture to far from the markets that have been your bread and butter. Next always consult the staff about how they can improve the back office operation and incorporate it into you plan.

Sales goals and compensation for completed business must reflect margin, term, and credit quality. The best compensation plan does not change every year, but if it must change to get better it needs to be sold to the sales staff, not dropped on them. Changes need to have a purpose. If there is a better margin in some areas than increase the compensation in that area and decrease compensation in those areas. Some markets look good because volume appears to be steady but the transactions may be small and are gumming up the works for larger more profitable transactions.

One good goal for the sales staff is an increase in their average size transaction without a loss in margin. Perhaps you should look at the physical work flow to determine if the distance between job assignments adds or subtracts from the time to move a transaction through the system.

Business plans are an excellent time to review where you are headed. I know this is another cliché, like not only work harder, work smarter---but it is just as true---“If you don’t know where you are going, that is where you will wind up.”

Mr. Terry Winders, CLP, has been a teacher, consultant, expert witness for the leasing industry for thirty-five years and can be reached at leaseconsulting@msn.com or 502-649-0448

He invites your questions and queries.

Previous #102 Columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Leasing_102/Index.htm

(This ad is a “trade” for the writing of this column. Opinions
contained in the column are those of Mr. Terry Winders, CLP)

 

 

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Career Crossroad—“Pursue a degree?”

Question: Should I pursue a degree to advance in my career?

Answer: It’s Survival of the Fittest out there …. In short – Absolutely – give yourself an advantage when competing with other Candidates.

HOWEVER do NOT forgo your current role or pursue education in lieu of employment.

One of the first things I would do is start studying the Certified Leasing Professional handbook. It is on sale now for 25% off.* You then can ask for a tutor or mentor and get ready to take the test to become a CLP. It will mean a lot to you, and to your employer and others in the leasing field.

I also believe in continuing education, even if you don't get a degree. Although a degree does mean a lot to a potential employer, as well as for your own education. You can take evening or online classes. The years go by anyway … and pursuing or completing your education can only benefit you. Of course there is a cost involved, but taking one class at a time should not be too much of a hardship. You may be able to apply for a student loan, however most loans are for full time students (you can attend evening classes full time – though you might wind up burning the candle at both ends).

If you are with a larger organization they often offer education reimbursement – keeping in mind if you leave before a certain time frame you will have to pay the company back. So if you are looking to advance with your current employer, this is a good option – speak to HR.

For those entering or soon to enter the work place (e.g. your teens/young adults) I STRONGLY recommend coupling experience along with education e.g. internships or evening / weekend classes. This will give them the competitive advantage they will need

Emily Fitzpatrick
Sr. Recruiter
Recruiters International, Inc.
Phone: 954-885-9241
Cell: 954-612-0567
emily@riirecruit.com
www.riirecruit.com

Previous Career Crossroad columns:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/crossroad.html

*

Regularly $59.95, now until December 31st, now $44.96

Also a Great Christmas gift for staff or favorite leasing colleague.

Click here and use the discount code in form:
http://www.clpfoundation.org/toolbox/clp_handbook.php

 

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

Interviewing Leasing Professionals With Proven Track Record and Established Book of Business. Envision Provides: 1) Monthly Base Salary 2) Established Funding Sources 3) Fun Working Environment 4) Full Benefits (Health Insurance, 401k) 5) Aggressive Commission Structure. Resumes To: careers@envisioncapitalgroup.com Contact: Stephanie Cruz (949) 225-1740 Envision Capital Group is dedicated to providing the best in class products and service to our employees, customers, vendors and partners in the small and middle ticket commercial finance industry. With over 50 years of combined experience we have the knowledge, skills, abilities and relationships to help you reach your goals.

For information on placing a help wanted ad, please click here:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Hwanted/Hwanted-post.htm

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

 

 

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Christmas Special-Ad to Run Dec. 14—Jan. 15

Leasing News Help Wanted Ad Pricing

Classified Ad Section (rotates chronological above headlines and also appears in Classified Ad section.) * 21 days in a row: $595 four lines (a space is a line) ($40 each additional line or space) Design work is free. Logo is free as well as company description not to exceed the number of lines of the ad. Also free: click to a click to a web site or a full description of the position. Ads are placed in the "Help Wanted' section by category, alphabetical, with the ad with the most lines first in the group. They appear on the web site and in each news edition at the top in a rotation basis per issue. * Help Wanted” ads  appear in each issue on a chronological basis above the top headline as a courtesy. This position is not available as a paid position, but is generally on a rotation basis.  At the same time, the ad continues in the classified help wanted section in the news edition and web site, so in effect appears twice. Leasing News reserves the right to refuse advertising, particularly to a company that has appeared in the complaint bulletin board

European Bank Stress Tests
By Emma Newlands and Mohammad Wamique

The European Banking Authority issued an indict that European banks must raise a total of €114.69 billion to meet its June 2012 9% core Tier 1 ratio requirement. The figure compares to the EBA's October estimate of a capital shortfall of €106.45 billion, largely on a higher shortfall found among banks in Germany.

Several of the companies involved in the exercise soon after responded to the EBA's latest findings, including measures on how they plan to address their respective capital gaps.

Below is a summary of those who face a capital shortfall,and their plans of action where disclosed:

Germany and Austria

In Austria, the EBA said Erste Group Bank AG had a capital shortfall of €743 million. "Erste Group will meet this requirement through retained earnings and selective disposal of noncore assets, but without any government support," the bank said in response.

The shortfall determined for Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG was €2.13 billion; the bank issued a statement noting that this amount is €400 million lower than original expectations for the group, as the EBA considered earnings from the first three quarters in its second figure. The group said it will not require state support to reach the new goal. It also highlighted its plans, outlined in October, of how it plans to meet the new capital ratio.

The EBA flagged a capital shortfall of €1.05 billion for Österreichische Volksbanken AG. The lender noted the "slight" increase from €972 million estimated previously, and said measures undertaken by the management to better the capital situation have been successful. "VBAG will continue to implement its restructuring strategy in order to further strengthen the capital ratios in accordance with the legal requirements of the European Commission," the company said. It also said further measures improving capital ratios are being discussed with all stakeholders.

In Germany, Deutsche Bank AG's shortfall came to €3.24 billion, according to the EBA. The bank said it made "significant" progress during the fourth quarter regarding meeting the target and said it is set to reach the EBA benchmark by Dec. 31, while continuing to strengthen its core Tier 1 ratio during 2012.

Commerzbank AG needs a further €5.31 billion, up from €2.94 billion in October, according to the banking authority. In its statement, Commerzbank said the increase was almost totally due to the further escalation of the European state debt crisis. It said the implementation of the measures announced with its third-quarter results could lead to the bank lowering the need for additional capital by up to €2.7 billion. Commerzbank said it also could strengthen its equity capital through the sale of nonstrategic assets, retained earnings and accelerated cost management. The issue of equity capital instruments is also an option, it noted.

The EBA said the shortfall for DZ Bank AG is €353 million; the bank said it will ensure it will meet the required 9% core Tier 1 capital ratio by the end of June 2012, but did not provide specifics on how.

Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale's shortfall is €2.49 billion. The bank, noting that the EBA had placed the figure at €660 million in October, said it is expanding its capital-boosting program launched in spring, which involves a package of measures including further capital conversions, retained earnings and a sale of investments. The lender also maintained that it is not short of capital

WestLB AG requires a further €224 million to meet the EBA requirements. The bank said due to the ongoing restructuring process of WestLB AG, splitting off WestLB AG by June 30, 2012, "no additional measurements/plans in agreement with the national supervisory authorities are necessary."

Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale needs a further €1.5 billion, according to the EBA. However, the company said Dec. 7, ahead of the EBA's release, that €1.92 billion of silent contributions from the state of Hesse were not recognized as core Tier 1 capital by the EBA. It said it will convert the silent participations into core Tier 1 capital that does meet the EBA's requirements, meaning that it will require "not a single euro of additional equity capital."

France and Benelux

Turning to Belgium, the EBA said Dexia SA's shortfall stands at €6.31 billion. In a statement, the Franco-Belgian lender noted that this marked an increase of €2.4 billion from the Oct. 27 figure. However, the group said due to its major restructuring plan announced after the Sept. 30 cutoff date and state rescue, it does not have to comply with the recapitalization requirement of the EBA capital buffer exercise and will not remain in the EBA sample.

In France, Groupe BPCE was found to have a capital shortfall of €3.72 billion. It said the increase of about €300 million is mechanically linked to the change in the reference date because risk-weighted assets for BPCE increased slightly between June 30 and Sept. 30. However, the lender did not state how it intends to meet the new target.

BNP Paribas SA was found to have a shortfall of €1.48 billion, while Société Générale SA had a €2.13 billion gap.

Netherlands-based SNS REAAL NV unit SNS Bank NV has a capital shortfall of €159 million, the EBA said. In October, the EBA's preliminary results indicated that the bank met the capital 9% capital requirement. SNS REAAL said the difference arose as the new assessment included unrealized results on interest rate derivatives connected to the sovereign debt exposures. SNS Bank has already taken various measures to improve its capital buffer, concluding a lower Tier 2 exchange offer with net proceeds totaling about €72 million toward the end of November.

Italy, Greece and Cyprus

The EBA said Cyprus' Marfin Popular Bank Public Co. Ltd. would need €1.97 billion to meet the regulator's capital requirements. Noting the EBA's announcement, the Cypriot lender said it would submit a "comprehensive capital enhancement plan" to the Cyprus central bank by Jan. 20, 2012. Meanwhile, the EBA said Bank of Cyprus Public Co. Ltd. would have to boost its capital by €1.56 billion.

Greek banks' shortfall amounted to €30 billion, unchanged from October. But the EBA said individual data for Greek banks was not disclosed, given the capital package for the country itself. The minimum backstop measures provided under the EU/IMF program exceed the EBA exercise, and no new benchmarks have been set for Greek banks, it noted.

Meanwhile, in Italy, UniCredit SpA was shown to have a capital shortfall of €7.97 billion, up from €7.38 billion in October. The Italian lender said the capital shortfall gap widened due to its third-quarter results. Including the restructuring of CASHES and UniCredit's recently announced capital increase, the bank said it would have a capital buffer of €1.7 billion and a core Tier 1 ratio of 9.4% by the EBA's June deadline. Recently, the bank was said to be planning a major relocation of staff to generate €50 million in annual cost savings.

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA needs to raise €3.27 billion by the EBA's deadline, the regulator said. The bank responded to the EBA, arguing that a core Tier 1 capital ratio of 9% by the end of June 2012 was not "appropriate for banking institutions that carry out lending activities almost exclusively in favor of households, small- and medium-sized enterprises and corporate customers, whose financial risks are essentially associated with exposure to Italian government bonds." The bank called on the EBA's indications to be reviewed as soon as possible and said a different core Tier 1 capital requirement should be set for domestic lenders with a retail focus. The lender added that it had started initiatives aimed at reducing the capital requirement, which include: the extension of advanced internal rating based models for the measurement and management of credit risk leading to a reduction in risk-weighted assets; the implementation of initiatives for the partial disposal real estate properties not used in the business; the value enhancement of product companies, partly through joint ventures with leading industry players; and value creation from other assets, some of which are recognized for accounting purposes but not under prudential standards.

The EBA said Banco Popolare Società Cooperativa needs to bolster its capital by €2.73 billion before the end of June 2012. Banco Popolare responded to the EBA statement by arguing that the "different asset weighting methods used in the various countries make it impossible to compare the financial positions of the various banks based on a single synthetic indicator," namely, the core Tier 1 ratio.

Unione di Banche Italiane SCpA had a capital shortfall of €1.39 billion, according to the EBA. The bank presented arguments similar in fashion to UniCredit and Banca Monte dei Paschi's concerns with the EBA requirements. A capital bolstering could, in the bank's opinion, lead to a pro-cyclical impact on the real economy by inducing a slowdown in lending.

Spain and Portugal

For Portugal, Millennium BCP's capital requirement was pegged at €2.13 billion, the largest of any Portuguese bank. The lender said it would meet the 2012 end-of-June deadline but did not specify the measures it would take to do so. Banco Espírito Santo SA parent company Espírito Santo Financial Group SA, which faces a shortfall of €1.6 billion, made a similar statement.

Banco BPI SA, with a shortfall of €1.39 billion, said it will examine all its options to meet the new capital requirements, including using the €12 billion recapitalization facility available to Portuguese banks. "Banco BPI's board of directors will, in due course, announce the initiatives to be submitted to shareholders," the lender stated.

In the case of Spain, Banco Santander SA was identified as requiring a further €15.3 billion to meet the EBA requirements, the highest of any lender within the test. The banking giant said this compared to the €14.97 billion figure published Oct. 26. Santander said that to address the new requirements, it is maintaining the measures announced at its third-quarter results presentation. The lender also said it is aiming to reach a core capital ratio of 10% in accordance with the new requirements of the EBA as of June 30, 2012.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA's shortfall stands at €6.33 billion, according to the EBA. The bank noted that it has already adopted measures to address the capital buffer required by the EBA, including the exchange offer of preferred shares for mandatory convertibles announced Nov. 22. "In addition, BBVA will meet the requirements established by the EBA through a combination of organic capital generation and other measures of balance-sheet management." The bank also stressed that it will not turn to public funds.

The shortfall for La Caixa was calculated at €630 million. The lender said it is able to meet this comfortably by the EBA's deadline through organic capital generation. In addition, it said it has other means at its disposal for boosting its solvency that were not taken into account by the EBA. Those include bonds necessarily convertible into CaixaBank shares (€1.5 billion).

Banco Financiero y de Ahorros SA and its new unit Bankia were identified as having a €1.33 billion capital shortfall, while Banco Popular Español SA had a shortfall of €2.58 billion.

Nordic countries

DNB ASA unit DNB Bank ASA needs €1.52 billion to meet the EBA's requirements. The Norwegian bank said that during the fourth quarter it raised its common equity Tier 1 capital ratio to 9% from the EBA-calculated 7.82% by redistributing available internal funds.

Eastern Europe

The EBA said Slovenia's Nova Ljubljanska Banka dd would need to bolster its capital by €320 million. The Slovenian lender responded by saying that it would fill the gap with a proposed €400 million capital increase.

Kamran Asaf contributed to this report.

 

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Top Stories---December 6--December 8

Here are the top ten sorties opened by readers:

(1) First Sound Bank Investor Pleads to Keep Bank Open
Bank Beat---Depping Sells Three Branches
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2011/12_06.htm#bank_beat

(2) Leasing 102 by Mr. Terry Winders, CLP
“True leasing differences”
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2011/12_06.htm#differences

(3) CPA firm Moss Adams sued for
$150 million for Ponzi Schemehttp://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016960541_meridian08.html

(4) Schwartz Now at Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2011/12_08.htm#center

(5) New Hires--Promotions
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2011/12_08.htm#hires

(6) Channel Partners Last Funded Deals
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2011/12_08.htm#cp

(7) New Feature added---SparkPeople
---Live Healthier and Longer
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2011/12_06.htm#sparkpeople

(8) Caulfield Challenges Readers--Will match Donations
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2011/12_08.htm#challenge

(Tie) (9) Find Part-Time Jobs Near You
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2011/12_08.htm#jobs

(Tie) (9) LeadFerret---completely free data on businesses
and contacts, including email addresses
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2011/12_06.htm#lead

(10) Non-bank financing increases options for small business
http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/45053/non-bank-financing-increases-options-for-small-business

Braintree, Massachusetts-- Adopt-a-Dog

Buzzi

Black Labrador Retriever
Neutered
Up-to-date with shots
Primary Colors: Black, white or cream
Coat: short length

“This sweet little guy was saved minutes before being euthanized. The poor fella was picked up as a stray and wound up in a high kill facility. Lucky for him, he is now in a wonderful foster home where he loves playing with their children and other dogs. Buzzi is very smart and has already learned how to sit on command by the 10 year old in the home. He sleeps in his crate at night, but is whining by 6:30 or 7 to get out and do his business. His favorite place is on his foster mom's lap. Buzzi is estimated to be around 8-10 weeks old as of 10/25. He is a happy, friendly, cuddly pup looking for his forever home. He is neutered and up to date on age appropriate vaccines, and current on flea/tick and heartworm preventative. His adoption fee is $450. If you're looking for a great family companion, please fill out our online adoption application by going to: “http://www.rescueangels.org/pages/AdoptionApplication.html

vickie@rescueangels.org

Adopt-a-Pet by Leasing Co. State/City
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Adopt_Pet.htm

Adopt a Pet
http://www.adoptapet.com/

 

 

News Briefs----

Washington state Banks have Profitable Year
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016971622_banks11.html

John Kenny Receivables Management • End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement • Fraud Investigations • Credit Investigations • Asset Searches • Skip-tracing • Third-party Commercial Collections john@jkrmdirect.com | ph 315-866-1167| www.jkrmdirect.com

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigations

 

----------------------------------------

 

SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

 

Calling All Vegetarians (and Vegans)!
http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_individual.asp?gid=9

 

------------------------------------------

 

Sports Briefs----

Backup rallies Cardinals past 49ers 21-19
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/11/SP2P1MB7TU.DTL

Bears let Broncos escape with OT victory
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-1212-bears-broncos-chicago-20111212,0,5686435.story

Oakland Raiders slip in AFC West standings after 46-16 loss to Green Bay Packers
http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_19526112

The Huddle:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/index

-----------------------------------------

 

Football Poems

Hey nonny no!
Men are fools that wish to die!
Is't not fine to dance and sing
When the bells of death do ring?
Is't not fine to swim in wine,
And turn upon the toe
And sing hey nonny no,
When the winds blow and the seas flow?
Hey nonny no!

The Raiders have to go---

 

----------------------------------------

 

 

California Nuts Briefs---

Part-time status proposed for California Legislature
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/10/4113001/part-time-status-proposed-for.html

S.F. police arrest 55 clearing Occupy camp
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/11/BA4P1MB7UA.DTL&tsp=1

Abalones cling to life as recovery plan forms
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2011/dec/11/abalones-cling-life-feds-form-recovery-plan/

 

------------------------------------

“Gimme that Wine”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8 

Wine Enthusiast Top 100
http://buyingguide.winemag.com/toplists/2011/wines/10

Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/

US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/

Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\

Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm

     1712- The South Carolina colony passed a "Sunday Law" requiring "all...persons whatsoever" to attend church each Sunday, to refrain from skilled labor, and to do no traveling by horse or wagon beyond the necessary. Infractions of this law were met with a 10_shilling fine and/or a two_hour lock_up in the village stocks
    1745- Birthday of John Jay, American statesman, diplomat and first chief justice of the US Supreme Court ( 1789-95), coauthor ( with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison ) of the influential “Federalist” papers, born New York, NY. Jay died at Bedford, NY, May 17,1829.
http://www.constitution.org/img/judge009.htm
http://www.pojonews.com/enjoy/stories/09239610.htm
(lower part of:http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec12.html)
    1770 - The British soldiers responsible for the “Boston Massacre” were acquitted on murder charges.
    1787- Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the US Constitution, by a vote of 46 to 23. One of the original 13 colonies, Pennsylvania is geographically located in the keystone position in relation to the other 12 colonies, earning the nickname, the Keystone State. The state capital is Harrisburg, a city almost midway between Pennsylvania’s two most well-known cites, Pittsburgh in Western Pennsylvania and Philadelphia in the east. Philadelphia is also where the first Continental Congress met and where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Not so famous is the state bird, the ruffed grouse and the state flower, the mountain laurel.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec12.html
    1790- the first Catholic Bible printed in English was a 900-page quarto printed by Carey, Stewart and Company, Philadelphia. It was issued in 49-page sections every Saturday. It was based on the New Testament published in 1582 in Reims, France, and the Old Testament published in Douai, Flanders, in 1609.
    1799 - Two days before his death, George Washington composed his last letter, to Alexander Hamilton, his aide-de-camp during the Revolution and later his Secretary of the Treasury. In the letter he urged Hamilton to work for the establishment of a nationally military academy. Washington wrote that letter at the end of a long, cold day of snow, sleet and rain that he had spent out-of-doors. He remained outside for more than five hours, according to his secretary Tobias Lear, did not change out of his wet clothes or dry his hair when he returned home. When he became ill, the doctors bled him five times while his condition became worse, as that was the best cure, they thought in colonial days.
    1805- birthday of William Lloyd Garrison, American anti-slavery leader, poet, and journalist, born at Newburyport, MA. Garrison died at New York, NY, May 24, 1879.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USASgarrison.htm
    1805-Birthday of Henry Wells, one of the fathers of speed-conscious delivery and banking services. Born in Thetford, Vermont, Wells cut his teeth working as an agent for Harden’s Express in upstate New York. Clearly taken with the express transport business, Wells set up his own shop, Livingston Wells and Pomeroy’s Express, which ferried "goods, valuables, and specie" between Buffalo and Albany. By 1844, Wells sensed that it was time to push his business west of Buffalo, and he joined forces with William Fargo and Daniel Dunning to start Wells and Company, which would service terrain beyond the upper reaches of New York. While this was all fairly ambitious maneuvering, the 1850s saw Wells make an even stronger move to conquer the express market. First, in 1850, ever ambitious, he merged his two concerns into the American Express Company, which initially covered California and the Eastern seaboard (it later stretched to serve Latin America). Then, in 1852, he linked up with Fargo again to form Wells, Fargo and Company, a joint-stock venture that served as a holding company for the Wells Fargo Bank. Along with bankrolling business ventures, Wells used his ever-swelling fortune to aid the plight of chronic stutters, as well as to establish Wells Seminary (now Wells College) for women.
    1806- birthday of Stand Watie, born at Rome Georgia, and died there September 9, 1871. Cherokee chief who, by signing the treaty of New Echota, surrendered his people’s land in Georgia, forcing relocation to Oklahoma. Though three other signers were murdered, Watie escaped and went onto initiate the first volunteer Cherokee regiment for the Confederates in the Civil War. Promoted to brigadier general, he was active in destroying property of other Native Americans who supported the Union. He never gave up.
    1835-- Sarah Brown Ingersoll Cooper, director and superintendent of the Gold Gate Kindergarten Association, which incorporated nearly 4,000 pupils in the pioneer learning experience.
    1862- Naval Engagement at Yazoo River MS (USS CAIRO torpedoed)
http://www.nps.gov/vick/cairo/cairo.htm
    1870- Joseph Hayne Rainey of Georgetown, SC, was sworn in as the first black to serve in the US House of Representatives. Rainey filled the seat of Benjamin Franklin Whittemore, which had been declared vacant by the House. He served until March 3, 1879.
http://search.eb.com/blackhistory/micro/492/61.html
    1870- Rachel Crothers birthday - U.S., playwright, director, and producer. She triumphed on Broadway with 34 of the 38 plays she wrote in her lifetime, usually doing everything from writing to casting to directing to producing on her way to becoming a legend. http://dizzy.library.arizona.edu/users/btravers/sabbatical/crothers.htm
http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0189405/
    1882 - Portland, OR, was drenched with 7.66 inches of rain, a record 24 hour total for that location. (12th-13th)
    1899- African-American George F. Grant of Boston, Massachusetts obtained a patent for his invention, the golf tee. It was a wooden tee with a tapering base portion and a flexible tubular concave shoulder to hold the golf ball. As a side note, Grant was the first black to graduate from Harvard University.
    1906 Oscar Straus, 1st Jewish cabinet member, appointed Secretary of Commerce by Theodore Roosevelt. 1850–1926, b. Rhenish Bavaria, grad. Columbia (B.A., 1871; LL.B., 1873), was a diplomat and author. He practiced law in New York City until 1881 and then went into business with his brothers. He was minister to Turkey (1887–89) under President Grover Cleveland and again (1898–1900) under William McKinley and was ambassador to Turkey (1909–10) under William H. Taft. He was appointed (1902) to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (the Hague Tribunal) and was (1906–9) Secretary of Commerce and Labor under Theodore Roosevelt. He was candidate for governor of New York on the Progressive party ticket in 1912. He wrote several books, including Roger Williams (1894), The American Spirit (1913), and Under Four Administrations (1922).
    1912- birthday of Henry Armstrong, box, born Henry Jackson, Jr., at Columbus, Mississippi. Armstrong was the first boxer to hold three world titles simultaneously. He won the featherweight title on October 29, 1937, the welterweight title on May 31, 1938, and the lightweight title three months later. Died at Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 22,1988.
    1915- Frank Sinatra born at Hoboken, NJ. While the websites gives more history, briefly Frank Sinatra matured from a teen idol to the premiere singer of American popular music. Known as the “Chairman of the Board” to his fans, he made more than 200 albums. His signature songs included “ All the Way,” “ New York, New York,” and “May Way.” His file career included musicals ( On the Town and Pal Joey) and two gritty films for which won Oscar nominations, From Here to Eternity and the Man wit the Golden Arm. One of his many movies is making a revival with stars of the day instead of his “rat pack,” Oceans Eleven. He died May 14, 1998, at Los Angeles, CA. “ Put Your Dreams Away for Another Day.”
    1917 - December 12, Father Edward Flanagan opened Boys Town west of Omaha , Nebraska , as a farm village for wayward boys, and since 1979, for girls too. In 1938, Spencer Tracy played Father Flanagan in, " Boys Town ", winning an Oscar.
http://www.girlsandboystown.org/aboutus/history/index.asp
    1918-Birthday of jazz great Joe Williams born Cordele, GA. The album that turned me onto jazz in the early 1950’s when it came out, “Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings,” is still wonderful today.
http://worksology.com/jazz/blues/williams.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000476B/
inktomi-musicasin-20/002-6663560-5946468
    1925- the first motel opened, called the Motel Inn, San Luis Obispo, California. Arthur S. Heineman was the architect. The building featured a sign with flashing lights that alternated the letters H and M preceding the letters otel to spell out “ Hotel” and “ Motel” I t had accommodations for 160 guests individual chalets with garage, bathroom, and telephone. It was designed for motorists to be a “drive-up” hotel.
    1929-Jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi born Darien, Manchuria.
    1938- Connie Francis birthday –Beach blanket favorite. Her first big single in the 50s was "Who's Sorry Now." She had a dozen hit singles and albums including "Where the Boys Are."
http://www.12mb.com/connie/intro.htm
http://www.swinginchicks.com/connie_francis.htm
    1941---*ELROD, HENRY TALMAGE Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 27 September 1905, Rebecca, Ga. Entered service at: Ashburn, Ga. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to Marine Fighting Squadron 211, during action against enemy Japanese land, surface and aerial units at Wake Island, 8 to 23 December 1941. Engaging vastly superior forces of enemy bombers and warships on 9 and 12 December, Capt. Elrod shot down 2 of a flight of 22 hostile planes and, executing repeated bombing and strafing runs at extremely low altitude and close range, succeeded in inflicting deadly damage upon a large Japanese vessel, thereby sinking the first major warship to be destroyed by small caliber bombs delivered from a fighter-type aircraft. When his plane was disabled by hostile fire and no other ships were operative, Capt. Elrod assumed command of 1 flank of the line set up in defiance of the enemy landing and, conducting a brilliant defense, enabled his men to hold their positions and repulse intense hostile fusillades to provide covering fire for unarmed ammunition carriers. Capturing an automatic weapon during 1 enemy rush in force, he gave his own firearm to 1 of his men and fought on vigorously against the Japanese. Responsible in a large measure for the strength of his sector's gallant resistance, on 23 December, Capt. Elrod led his men with bold aggressiveness until he fell, mortally wounded. His superb skill as a pilot, daring leadership and unswerving devotion to duty distinguished him among the defenders of Wake Island, and his valiant conduct reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
    1946- UN accepts 6 Manhattan blocks as a gift from John D Rockefeller Jr
http://www.angelfire.com/dc/undersiege/therockefellers.html
    1949---Top Hits
Mule Train - Frankie Laine
I Can Dream, Can’t I? - The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (vocal: Jack Leonard)
Don’t Cry, Joe - The Gordon Jenkins Orchestra (vocal: Betty Brewer)
Mule Train - Tennessee Ernie Ford
    1952 -Peter J. McGovern becomes the president of the Little League replacing Charles Durban who resigned due to ill health. The league which started in 1939 with two leagues has now grown to 1,800 leagues in 48 states and international sites.
    1955 - The largest philanthropic act in the world was announced by the Ford Foundation which gave $500,000,000 to private hospitals, colleges and medical schools.
    1955-- Bill Haley and His Comets record "See You Later Alligator"
    1955--- Bill Haley and His Comets record "See You Later Alligator"
    1957---Top Hits
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
Raunchy - Bill Justis
Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
My Special Angel - Bobby Helms
    1959 - At 22 years and 104 days of age, Bruce McLaren became the youngest driver to win a Grand Prix race as he earned first place at Sebring, Florida.
    1959--After being overtaken as the best selling record in the US for a couple of weeks, Bobby Darin's "Mack The Knife" returned to the top spot on the Cashbox chart. It is a feat that is seldom duplicated.
    1961 - Former big band singer (with Kay Kyser) Mike Douglas began a variety TV show from Cleveland. The show became most successful when KYW-TV moved from Cleveland to Philadelphia. Then, when the Douglas show left Philly for Hollywood, it folded. All things considered, it was a successful syndication effort, nationally, for Westinghouse Productions.
    1962---Birthday of Tracey Ann Austin, tennis player, at 16 became the youngest person to win the U.S. Open. Won her second open in 1981 just before an injury cut short her career.
    1963 - "John Fitzgerald Kennedy - A Memorial Album" became the fastest-selling record of all time when 4 million copies of the disk, each selling for 99 cents, were sold in six days -- between December 7-12. The memorial tribute was recorded November 22, the day President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
    1963- Frank Sinatra Jr returned after being kidnapped
http://www.geocities.com/surfinagain/arch08-1.html
http://www.thejukejoint.com/franksinatrajr.html
    1964--Bobby Vinton scores his fourth Billboard chart topper with "Mr. Lonely". It was a song that Bobby co-wrote and had added to his Greatest Hits album as a filler, but the track was quickly released as a single when it started to get airplay.
    1964--The Righteous Brothers song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" is released.
    1965---Top Hits
Turn! Turn! Turn! - The Byrds
Let’s Hang On! - The 4 Seasons
I Got You (I Feel Good) - James Brown
Make the World Go Away - Eddy Arnold
    1965- Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears tied an NFL record by scoring six touchdowns in the Bears’ 61-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Sayers rushed for four score, caught an 80-yard touchdown pass and returned a punt 85 yards.
    1965-US Supreme Courts votes 4-3 allowing Braves to move to Atlanta. Earlier, the Braves' move to Atlanta was halted by a court order, forcing a lame duck season in Milwaukee. The Braves led the league with 196 homers. In 1966, The Braves and Pirates debuted Major League Baseball's first season in Atlanta on April 12, with Pittsburgh winning, 3-2, in 13 innings. Atlanta was fifth in its initial season, but Aaron hit 44 homers and had 127 RBI to lead the league.
    1969 - The worst tornado of record for western Washington State tracked south of Seattle, traveling five miles, from Des Moines to Kent. The tornado, 50 to 200 yards in width, began as a waterspout over Puget Sound. One person was injured and the tornado caused half a million dollars damage.
    1970-- Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "Tears of a Clown" hits #1
    1970--Stephen Stills releases "Love The One You're With"
    1971- left wing Bobby Hull of the Chicago Blackhawks got the 1,000th point of his NHL career, an assist in the first period of a 5-3 victory over the Minnesota North Stars. Hull finished his career with 1,170 points and entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
    1973---Top Hits
Top of the World - Carpenters
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
The Love I Lost - Harol Melvin & The Bluenotes
The Most Beautiful Girl - Charlie Rich
    1980 - Oil tycoon Armand Hammer bought a notebook of writings by Leonardo da Vinci for $5.28 million at auction in London. It was the highest price ever paid for a manuscript. It was 36 pages long and dated back to 1508.
    1980 - The U.S. Congress amended the Copyright Act in 1980 to explicitly recognize that computer programs were protected as literary works.
    1980-- Marie Osmond's solo variety series, Marie, premieres on NBC.
    1981---Top Hits
Physical - Olivia Newton-John
Waiting for a Girl like You - Foreigner
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic - The Police
Still Doin’ Time - George Jones
    1982- known as the “Great Snowplow Play.” The New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins, 3-0, in a driving snowstorm at Foxboro Stadium. The winning points came on a late field goal by John Smith, kicked after a snowplow came onto the field and cleared a spot for Smith and his holder. According to Kimberlee R. Coleman’s husband, the person who cleared the field was a state prisoner out on a work furlough. The Miami Dolphins believe they are robbed in the snowplow game by a 24-year-old man who is serving a 15-year sentence for robbing a house and is now on a work release program from the prison. Late in the fourth quarter, the New England Patriots are preparing to break a scoreless tie with a field goal when coach Ron Meyer waves Mark Henderson onto the field at Foxboro Stadium. Henderson fires up his yellow John Deere (Model 314) and heads for the Miami 23-yard line. Despite screams of protest from the Dolphins, Henderson runs a terrific sweep with his tractor-driven snowplow and clears the area for kicker John Smith. Smith kicks a 33-yard field goal with 4:40 left. After the Patriots' 3-0 victory, livid Dolphins coach Don Shula says, "The officials shouldn't have let it happen." Henderson says, "I figured, 'What's the most they could do? Put me in jail?' "
    1983 - Football’s Jim Brown showed up in "Sports Illustrated" again. This time, he was not on the cover as in September, 1960, but inside the magazine -- a record span of more than 23 years between spreads, as they say in the publishing biz.
    1984 - The group known as Band Aid -- 38 of Britain’s top rock musicians -- recorded "Do They Know This is Christmas?" for Ethiopian famine victims. Despite the best of intentions, much of the food raised never got to the starving Ethiopians. In fact, much of it was found rotting on docks, not fit for human consumption. More than a Band-Aid was needed to fix that political mess.
    1985--- On her 45th birthday, Dionne Warwick is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
    1986 - James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith became the first college graduate to win the world heavyweight boxing crown. “If I only had a bwain...,” he said, as he beat the brains out of Tim Witherspoon so badly, poor Tim couldn’t count to ten. “One, duh. Eight. Six. Duh. I’m out.”
    1986 - The LA Lakers beat the Boston Celtics, 117-110, to become the first visiting team to win at the old Boston Garden since December, 1985 -- a streak of 48 straight wins for the Celtics.
    1988 - Cold arctic air spread from the Great Lakes Region to the Appalachian Region. Twenty-five cities, mostly in the northeastern U.S., reported record low temperatures for the date. The low of 12 degrees below zero at Albany NY was their coldest reading of record for so early in the season. Saranac Lake NY was the cold spot in the nation with a low of 28 degrees below zero.
    1989---Top Hits
We Didn’t Start the Fire - Billy Joel
Another Day in Paradise - Phil Collins
Don’t Know Much - Linda Ronstadt (featuring Aaron Neville)
If Tomorrow Never Comes - Garth Brooks
   1989 - A winter storm produced snow from northern Mississippi to the Middle Atlantic Coast, with 10.5 inches reported at Powhatan VA. Heavy snow whitened the Black Hills of South Dakota, with 36 inches reported at Deer Mountain. Thirteen cities in the north central U.S., from Minnesota to Texas, reported record low temperatures for the date, including Duluth MN and Yankton SD with morning lows of 22 degrees below zero.
    1992 - The soundtrack from the movie "The Bodyguard" was the #1 album in the U.S. A smash, as they say, it was number one for twenty weeks. The track listing: "I Will Always Love You", "I Have Nothing", "I’m Every Woman", "Run to You", "Queen of the Night", "Jesus Loves Me", all by Whitney Houston; "Even If My Heart Would Break", by Kenny G & Aaron Neville; "Someday (I’m Coming Back)", by Lisa Stansfield; "It’s Gonna Be a Lovely Day", by The S.O.U.L S.Y.S.T.E.M.; "Peace, Love And Understanding (What's So Funny ’Bout)", by Curtis Stigers; "Theme from The Bodyguard", by Alan Silvestri; and "Trust in Me", by Joe Cocker featuring Sass Jordan.
    1994- IBM said it would halt shipments of Pentium computers because of a flaw in the Pentium chip. The November 7 issue of Electrical Engineering Times announced the "floating point" bug in the Pentium chip, which could produce mathematical errors. Intel officials admitted they had known about the flaw for some time but thought it so unlikely to cause problems that they did not disclose the problem, creating an uproar among computer users. Intel said it would replace flawed chips only if users showed they engaged in computer work that might be affected by the error. Consumers attacked Intel for its position, and later, the company agreed to replace any chips that were returned. Ironically, six months later, only about three percent of customers had requested a replacement chip.
    1995 - The International Olympic Committee announced that NBC had successfully bid a record $2.3 billion for the exclusive U.S. TV (broadcast and cable) rights to the 2004 and 2008 Summer Games and the 2006 Winter Games. $894 million is for the 2008 games alone. And the deal calls for a 50-50 revenue sharing program with the IOC.
    1995 - A severe coastal storm is blamed for five deaths and loss of power to over one million people in Oregon and Washington. Winds at Sea Lion Caves near Florence topped out at 119 mph before problems developed with the anemometer. In Newport, a gust of 107 mph occurred downtown, while Astoria and Cape Blanco also had gusts of over 100 mph. Astoria's air pressure dropped as low as 28.53 inches, an all-time record (and comparable to the central pressure of a Category 2 hurricane!). Gusts in the Willamette Valley exceeded 60 mph.
    2001: The state of Nevada declares today Frank Sinatra Day
    2003---Mick Jagger was knighted by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. Jagger's 92 year-old father was in attendance to see his son receive the award.
    2008 - A significant ice storm wreaked havoc across New York and New England on December 12, disrupting electricity and leaving over 1 million homes and businesses without power. New Hampshire alone had as many as 320,000 residents without power, which according to reports it was described as the worst outages in 30 years (Reuters). Four fatalities were reported and parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Maine declared a state of emergency