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Leasing News is a web site that posts information, news, and
entertainment for the commercial bank, finance and leasing industry

kitmenkin@leasingnews.org
   

 

Wednesday, February 5, 2014



Today's Equipment Leasing Headlines

Archives: February 5, 2001
 Wells Fargo Financial Buys Conseco
  Classified Ads---Credit
Chesswood Moves into Canada Small Ticket Market Place
 Rough Road Traveling Ahead
  by Christopher Menkin
   Top Five Leasing Company Web Sites—
    in North America
     Changes in Leasing Web Site Rankings
   Don’t Believe What You Read Elsewhere
    Facebook is Still Growing!
     Classified Ads---Help Wanted
 Leasing News Archives
  Starbucks Generated Over $1 Billion Mobile Transactions
   By John Heggestuen, Business Insider
    NVLA New Logo—Announces Vehicle Conference
     Meet Leasing News Advisor Bob Kieve
      Paying off TARP before the burden worsens
       By Nathan Stovall and Zuhaib Gull
        First South Leasing Opens New Leasing Production Office
         in Charlotte, North Carolina
      Labrador Retriever/Border Collie Mix
       Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada Adopt-a-Dog
        Classified ads—Asset Management
News Briefs---
 Accord Announces Acquisition Complete Varion Capital
  U.S. auto sales froze up in January
   Federal money pays to lease equipment at Oklahoma winery
    Infinity Leasing, New Helicopter Equipment Leasing Venture
     U.S. Banks Ease Loan Standards in Fed Survey as Demand Rises
      Senate Passes Long-Stalled Farm Bill
       Obama: Make Wi-Fi in schools like it is in coffee shops
        Microsoft names insider Nadella its new CEO, Gates as tech adviser
         Lenders See Write-Off While ‘Underwater’ Homeowners Face Stiff Taxes
          First Navy 'super carrier' departs for its last journey
           'It Was Just the Dumbest Luck'— Facebook's First Employees

Broker/Funder/Industry Lists | Features (collection)
Top Ten Stories Chosen by Readers | Top Stories last six months

www.leasingcomplaints.com (Be Careful of Doing Business)
www.evergreenleasingnews.org

  You May have Missed---
   SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer
  Football Poem
    Sports Briefs---
      California Nuts Brief---
       "Gimme that Wine"    
          This Day in American History
         SuDoku
           Daily Puzzle
             GasBuddy
               Weather, USA or specific area
                 Traffic Live----

######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release” and was not written by Leasing News nor information verified, but from the source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a “by line.” It reflects the opinion and research of the writer.



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[headlines]

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Archives: February 5, 2001
Wells Fargo Financial Buys Conseco
---as Reported by Leasing News in December

PARAMUS -- Conseco Finance Vendor Services, a leasing company on Route 17, has been purchased by a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Co., the $272 billion San Francisco-based financial services giant. The purchase, announced Thursday by Wells Fargo Financial in Des Moines, Iowa, includes owned and managed leases valued at $960 million. No firings resulted, said Patrick Corcoran, a Wells Fargo spokesman. Conseco Finance Vendor Services, formerly known as Green Tree Vendor Services, has 180 employees, including 100 in Paramus and 60 in Bloomington, Minn. Wells Fargo Financial is a $14.1 billion company that provides installment, home equity, and auto loans, commercial equipment leasing, credit cards, and other financial services in addition to a commercial equipment leasing arm with $1.4 billion in assets including the Conseco addition.

On Friday, 30 to 50 employees were given formal notice with severance packages to move to Des Moines, or elsewhere in the Wells Fargo Leasing system, according to a Wells Fargo Press release, but employees who did not want to be named, said the "count was higher.". Allegedly the employees were surprised, as per the official Wells Fargo press release, as they were originally told there would be no changes, no one let go; however, moving across country or applying for position in other parts of the country was not mentioned. No one wanted to talk on the record.

This closing down of the operation was no surprise to regular readers of Leasing News who have been tracking the slowdown and major changes in the leasing community the last nine months.

TODAY

 



John Stumpf
American Banker Magazine
Best Banker of the Year
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/bankeroftheyear2014.pdf

 

 


[headlines]
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Classified Ads---Credit

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

Credit, syndication, workout experience
Exceptional work ethic, common sense coupled with practical experience in equipment finance, consumer, commercial. Can interact with all levels of borrowers and intermediaries. Not an originator – but can help sales team close – great up sell ability. Will relocate for the right opportunity AND can work remotely.aaacorrespondent@gmail.com

Orlando, Florida
As a Commercial Credit Analyst/Underwriter, I have evaluated transactions from sole proprietorships to listed companies, across a broad spectrum of industries, embracing a multitude of asset types. Sound understanding of balance sheet, income statement and cash flow dynamics which impact credit decisions. Strong appreciation for credit/asset risk. 
rpsteiner21@aol.com
 
407 430-3917

 

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

 

[headlines]
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Chesswood Moves into Canada Small Ticket Market Place


Chesswood Group Limited ("Chesswood") (TSX:CHW), Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has purchased all the outstanding shares of Northstar Leasing Corporation, Barrie, Ontario, Canada.


Barry Shafran
Chesswood President/CEO

"We are thrilled to now have a North-American small ticket platform. Chesswood can offer its products and services to brokers and their customers, regardless of which country they operate in" said Barry Shafran, Chesswood's President and CEO.

"Northstar has decades of experience and we believe that this experience coupled with Pawnee's expertise, will allow the businesses to leverage the strengths of one another" added Shafran.

November, 2007, Chesswood purchased Pawnee Leasing, Fort Collins, Colorado, small ticket lessor funding up to $75,000, specializing in the 48 contiguous United States. Adding Northstar now gives Chesswood entrance into the small ticket market place in Canada.

On October 2, 2013, Chesswood founded Windset Capital, Salt Lake City, Utah, a small business working capital lender, to basically compete with Channel Partners, OnDeck Partners and others in this marketplace.

The company also owns Case Funding Inc., New York City, NY

"Originally founded in 2003, Case Funding has provided financing to contingency fee based law firms as well as to individuals engaged in a lawsuit with high probability of settlement, throughout the U.S."

Acura Sherway (car dealership), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.


Chesswood Group Limited (TSX:CHW)
http://www.chesswoodgroup.com/Investors/Investor-Information/Stock-Quote.aspx

Working Capital Loans $10,000-$250,000
 


[headlines]
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Rough Road Traveling Ahead
by Christopher Menkin


Man covered by snow in heavy snowstorm

Bad weather continues to hit the economy. As noted in the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association MFLI-25 Leasing News report, the soft economy was due to holidays as well as the terrible weather in many parts of the country. It was also noted that the first quarter is always the lowest. (1)


(Chart: Leasing News)

Couple that with the storms hitting most of the country, you can see retailers laying off workers, cutting back, trying to blame some of it on the Affordable Care Act, when in reality it is a slow down. Computer manufacturers like Dell have already announced heading in a different direction, meaning lay-offs. Both JC Penny and Sears have been fighting bankruptcy and may not take the actual storms of rains, snow, and ice.

It is also affecting the construction industry that is not building, as well as car sales where potential buyers are not visiting dealerships or even thinking about new vehicles, especially with so many leases being up this year and used car prices dropping.

Industries that work out of a residence, as long as they have electricity, will continue, and perhaps even prosper. Companies that are out of the terrible weather will have an edge on those experiencing a lack of electricity, heat, ability to travel--- hang in there. Spring is around the corner: March, April, and May.


(1)  December MFLI-25 Down from Last Two Years
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2014/1_29.htm#mfli

 


 

[headlines]
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Top Five Leasing Company Web Sites—
in North America
by Christopher Menkin



Top Five Sites Under 300

(The lower the rating, the higher of the list of web sites visited
the most, according to Alexa.com)


www.cit.com
USA Alexa Traffic Rating: 80,899
WW: 202,636
Sites Linking in: 460

Note the world wide web rating. Not only the best rating of finance and leasing companies, but worldwide attracts quite a following. Perhaps it is because CIT is known as following "The Heart of the U.S. Economy."

http://www.cit.com/wcmprod/groups/content/@wcm/@cit/documents/page-banner/mmo-infographic.pdf


www.directcapital.com
USA Alexa Traffic Rating: 88,713
WW: 406,114
Sites linking in: 272

Site is "interactive," not just a "brochure." Also active in various social media as well as press releases regarding leasing and other economic reports. Portsmouth, New Hampshire firm is leading the way in technology and innovations, particularly in securing vendor business.


www.balboacapital.com
US Alexa Traffic Rating: 96,336
WW: 280,491
Sites Linking in: 179

The company has many complaints posted in the Leasing News Bulletin Board http://www.leasingnews.org/bulletin_board.htm as well is on the Evergreen abuse list: www.evergreenleasingnews.org). It is very active on social media sites, including Linkedin.com, as well as with several telephone banks, and has issued many press releases.


www.ascentiumcapital.com
USA Alexa Traffic Rating: 164,932
WW: 1,193,793
Sites Linking in: 22

New to the list, knocking Marlin Leasing off, this company does direct, third party origination, vendor, and does not appear active in social networks, not many LinkedinIn.com groups, but nevertheless, has a high USA rating in Alexa.


www.greatamerica.com
USA Alexa Traffic Rating: 203,849
WW: 1,081,112
Sites Linking in: 108

The company is doing very well with a high rated portfolio by Fitch.

Should note most bank leasing companies are under their bank web sites, so individual ratings are not available.



[headlines]
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Changes in Leasing Web Site Rankings


In rankings, the Monitor Daily, Equipment Leasing & Finance Association and Equipment Finance Advisors improved, with ELFA going from 198,477 to 85,815 and EFA going from 198,477 to 116,923.

Next was NAELB going from 238,626 to 182,442

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation had USA data, well ranked. This is standard when the foundation issues new reports, which are very popular: http://www.leasefoundation.org/

Leasing News basically remained the same, #1; however, for the first time the world wide count broke 100:

USA
W.W.
Sites Link
 
22,259
99,263 271   Leasing News
79,066
370,050 144   Monitor Daily
85,815
486,840 262   Equipment Leasing & Finance Assoc.
116,923
609,287 64   Equipment Finance Advisor
182,422
995,133 93   National Assoc. Lease Brokers
261,993
1,175,340 126   Commercial Finance Assoc.
270,575
1,127,934 78   Lessors
301,591
1,149,721 95   Equip. Leasing & Fin. Foundation
No Data
1,258,459 77   World Leasing News
No Data
2,790,412 22   CLP Foundation
No Data
2,962,515 62   Canadian Finance & Leasing Assoc.
No Data
5,060,734 10   Assoc. Government Leasing & Fin.

(February 4, 2014)

December Ratings:
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2013/12_23.htm#alexa

More about Alexa Internet:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexa_Internet

 


((Please Click on Bulletin Board to learn more information))
(Leasing News provides this ad “gratis” as a means
to help support the growth of Lease Police)

 

[headlines]
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Don’t Believe What You Read Elsewhere!
Facebook is Still Growing

 

[headlines]
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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

 

Equipment Asset Manager
Los Angeles, California


Experience in heavy equipment required, ideal Class 8 trucks. Salary commensurate, performance bonus.
Call Shervin Rashti direct: 213-599-7660 or
send resume shervin@maximcc.com

www.maximcc.com
Maxim Commercial Capital is a commercial finance company committed to fostering the growth of small and middle market companies by providing creative and flexible asset-backed financing solutions

 


[headlines]
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Leasing News Archives


As mentioned in Emily Fitzpatrick’s column on Monday, Learning about the Employer,” If you want to learn more, I also highly recommend: http://www.leasingnews.org/archives.htm The latest month is on top and below are the last 13 years.

No other site has such an “in depth” archive on articles regarding companies, individuals, or subjects regarding equipment leasing and financing. All for free.

Often the editor receives requests for information and in almost all cases, the information he retrieves is from the Leasing News archives.

Over 1,000 queries are made each month from readers who use the archives direct.


John Kenny Receivables Management
www.jrkrmdirect.com

• End of Lease Negotiations & Enforcement
• Fraud Investigation
• Credit Investigations
• Asset Searches
• Skip-tracing
• Third-party Commercial Collections

The Solution to Your Credit & Accounts Receivable Needs 
John Kenny
315-866-1167 |  John@jkrmdirect.com

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for investigations
and background information provided by John Kenny)


[headlines]
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Starbucks Generated Over $1 Billion Mobile Transactions
By John Heggestuen, Business Insider


Starbucks's mobile payment and loyalty app program is phenomenally successful. The company has announced it's used by 10 million Starbucks customers for an average of nearly 5 million weekly transactions in the U.S.

That success is largely a function of the company's fantastically loyal customers who come back day in and day out. It also helps that Starbucks offers a low-cost product (read: coffee), and incorporates app rewards, like free drinks on birthdays, that encourage usage of the app.

At BI Intelligence, we are putting out in-depth coverage on the larger digital payments industry, tracking how Starbucks and other businesses are evolving their payments strategies, and which new entrants in the payments space are having the most disruptive effect on the industry.

Starbucks has done an incredible job of making mobile payments valuable to consumers, even as many other mobile payments companies, and retailers offering mobile payments, still haven't figured out the formula.

Dunkin' Donuts is soon going to enhance its own mobile payment app with a loyalty program, and it will be interesting to see whether another beloved coffee company will have the same success, or if Starbucks has figured out something special about what its customers want. 

Starbucks is doubling down on its mobile payments business. The company created a chief operating officer position to be filled by former CFO Troy Alstead, so that CEO Howard Schultz can focus more on the company's evolving payments business.

www.businessinsider.com


11 Facts About Starbucks That Will Blow Your Mind
http://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-facts-2014-2014-2



[headlines]
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NVLA New Logo—Announces Vehicle Conference

 

[headlines]
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Meet

Leasing News Advisor 
Bob Kieve

Bob Kieve joined the Leasing News Advisory Board on February 4, 2005. He is most likely our oldest member, 92; perhaps, one of the most experienced radio broadcasters, commentators, with the most public experience. Not only is his “Mr. San Jose,” an award given to him for all his community service, but has served in the good will category through out the world and was one of President Dwight Eisenhower’s speech writers for three years.  He has many stories about "Ike," a person he greatly admired.

Robert S. Kieve
Empire Broadcasting
San Jose, California

Born Jersey City, NJ 
BS Harvard College: 1943 
Information Officer American Embassy, Madrid: 1943-47 
Author: El Arte Radiofonico, Spain's first book on radio broadcasting 
Program Manager: WGVA, Geneva, NY 
Promotion Writer: CBS, New York 
Special Assistant in White House Office under Eisenhower: 1953-56 
General Manager WBBF-AM_FM, Rochester: NY 1967-67 
President, Empire Broadcasting Corporation, San Jose, CA:
1968-present

Robert S. Kieve is president of Empire Broadcasting Corporation, a position he has held since 1967. The company owns and operates radio stations KLIV, KARA and KRTY in San José, California, where Mr. Kieve also serves as a radio commentator.KLIV has been on the air since September 1946. It was originally KSJO, a 1000-watt daytime-only station. KLIV changed hands on July 1, 1967. It was acquired by two former Rochester, N.Y., radio executives, Robert S. Kieve and James M. Trayhern, Jr., who had incorporated as Empire Broadcasting. Four decades later, Bob Kieve has remained as the owner of KLIV, one of the few independent radio station owners left in the region.

A 1943 graduate of Harvard College, Bob began his career as an information officer at the American Embassy in Madrid, Spain, during and after World War II. Following several program director and writer positions in radio and television, he was appointed to a position as special assistant and staff writer for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was later promoted to Special Assistant to Deputy Director of U.S. Information Agency before becoming general manager of Radio Stations WBBF and WBBF-FM in Rochester, NY. He is the author of El Arte Radiofonico, published in Madrid. An active member of the community, Mr. Kieve is past president of the Rotary Club of San José, director of the San Jose Symphony Foundation, past board member of the San Jose Symphony, member of the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee, board member of the Northern California Broadcasters Association and the California Broadcasters Association. He joined the Board of Trustees at Regional Medical Center of San Jose in 2000. He was awarded the "Mr. San Jose" by the community. 

Bob has served on many non-profits in active positions from president to chairman of committees, too numerous to mention here. 

It is his writing skills, and as important, his ability as a commentator on San Francisco Bay area radio that he is most known to the local public. His commentary is always full of wit, common sense, sophistication, and Bob is definitely known to speak his mind. Whether you agreed or did not agree with him, the audience seem to always find it a pleasure to hear his commentary. 

Bob today serves more as a mentor, someone you want to be when you grow up. When asked, he participates with his opinion on subjects and positions on Leasing News, although he is not in the equipment leasing business. He is a broadcaster. The internet is the newest median. He was one of the first to be “on line” and appreciate the direction the World Wide Web is heading. He still is very active, someone you look forward to in receiving an e-mail.




[headlines]
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Paying off TARP before the burden worsens
By Nathan Stovall and Zuhaib Gull

An SNL Feature



Banks are taking creative steps to redeem their TARP preferred shares before the cost of those securities rises sharply.

The dividend on TARP preferred shares rises to 9% from 5% after the fifth anniversary of TARP participation, regardless of whether the U.S. Treasury or an investor that purchased the shares in an auction owns the securities. For some banks, that rate hike is just around the corner.

SNL found 28 banks with TARP preferred shares outstanding that face a dividend rate increase Feb. 15. Another 33 banks face a rate increase May 15. Of these 61 companies facing a pending rate hike, SNL found that only 12 had avoided missing any dividend payments.

As more banks near their five-year anniversary of TARP participation, the industry will increasingly need to look for ways to handle a significant interest rate hike. This will prove no easy task for banks that are already struggling with limited capital.

One institution that faced a dividend rate increase in mid-February failed this past Friday. Syringa Bancorp, which had $8.0 million in TARP preferred shares outstanding and had missed 17 dividend payments on the securities, saw its main banking subsidiary shuttered Jan. 31.


A number of banks have taken steps recently to repay TARP, ahead of the dividend rate hike. Others participated in the Treasury's TARP auction process, with the shares often being sold at sizable discounts. Five banks that faced dividend increases by mid-February took part in the Treasury's auctions during the fourth quarter of 2013, while eight banks that faced near-term dividend rate increases redeemed their TARP preferred shares outright in the period.

In January, United Community Banks Inc. redeemed its TARP preferred shares, using methods that were likely cheaper than its cost of capital, which investment bankers usually say ranges between 8% and 12% for banks. The Blairsville, Ga.-based bank announced late in December 2013 that it had received the required regulatory approvals to redeem all of its $196.8 million in preferred stock: $180 million in series B preferred stock issued under TARP and sold to third-party investors by the Treasury; and $16.8 million in series A and series D preferred stock.

Importantly, United Community Banks completed the redemption without issuing common stock and utilized cash on hand, $119 million of bank dividends and $40 million of short-term debt. The short-term debt came in the form of a revolving credit agreement with Synovus Bank for up to $50 million due Jan. 7, 2017. United Community Banks disclosed that, under the credit agreement, it can choose to bear interest at a rate per annum equal to either LIBOR plus 3.75% or at a base rate equal to the highest of the prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, and a daily rate equal to one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%, plus a base rate margin of 2.50%.

Others banks have taken similar lower-cost approaches to redeeming their TARP preferred shares. First Capital Bancorp Inc., for example, recently borrowed money to redeem the remaining 5,531 shares of its series A cumulative perpetual preferred stock for $5.6 million. The rate on the shares would have increased to 9% in April.

First Capital Bancorp successfully bid on about half of its TARP preferred stock in a Treasury auction in 2012. The company redeemed the remaining 50% on Jan. 10, 2014.

The Glen Allen, Va.-based company funded the redemption by executing a variable rate subordinated note for $6.5 million with an unnamed financial institution. The subordinated note, which qualifies as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes, carries an interest rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 5.00% per annum with a floor of 5.50% and a maturity of 10 years. The company will repay the principal $8,000 per month for the first 60 months and $103,000 per month for the remaining 60 months.

LNB Bancorp Inc. also borrowed money to redeem TARP preferred shares. LNB Bancorp said Jan. 17 that it completed the redemption of all the preferred shares that it issued to the Treasury in December 2008, for the liquidation amount plus $74,000 of accrued but unpaid dividends. The company used proceeds from a private placement and cash from approximately $3 million in borrowings under a line of credit with an unaffiliated financial institution and cash from the company's accumulated earnings and excess capital.

This is not the first time that banks have repaid TARP with a loan. For instance, in the spring of 2013, BNC Bancorp redeemed $31.3 million in TARP, funded with existing cash at the holding company as well as an unsecured $30 million term loan from Synovus Bank.

The loan's interest was determined by BNC Bancorp at either 3.5%, plus a rate equal to the higher of The Wall Street Journal prime lending rate, the Federal Funds rate — plus one-half of 1% per annum and LIBOR determined on a daily basis for a period of one month — plus 1.00%, or 4.5%, plus the 30-, 60- or 90-day LIBOR. The interest rate had a floor of 1.00%.

Hancock Holding Co. was perhaps the first bank to use a loan to help repay TARP. Hancock repaid Whitney Holding Corp.'s $300 million in TARP funds in conjunction with its acquisition of the bank. Hancock raised $200 million in a common equity offering to help drive the repayment but also received a $140 million term loan from SunTrust Bank. The loan's rate came at LIBOR for the applicable interest period then in effect, plus 2.00% per annum, plus an up-front fee.

The rates on Hancock and BNC Bancorp's loans — like loans that other banks have taken on more recently — were far more attractive than the cost of issuing common equity.

Some smaller banks have explored redemptions, as well. First Citizens Banc Corp said Jan. 17 that it intended to redeem all 23,184 outstanding shares of its series A fixed-rate cumulative perpetual preferred stock originally sold to the Treasury. The Treasury auctioned the shares in 2012. The company set a redemption date of Feb. 15 at a price $1,012.50 per share, which is the sum of the liquidation amount of each share plus accrued and unpaid dividends from Nov. 15, 2013, to but excusing the redemption date. "Our goal is to have the Series A redeemed prior to the increase in the interest rate on February 14th," President and CEO James Miller said in a statement.

More recently, Crazy Woman Creek Bancorp Inc. announced the partial redemption of its outstanding TARP preferred shares. The company said it redeemed 1,000 series A preferred shares for $1.0 million on Jan. 8. The company has advance regulatory approval to redeem an additional 500 shares of the outstanding balance, and plans to do so no later than the second quarter of 2014. Crazy Woman Creek further said it is on schedule to redeem the remaining 1,600 series A preferred shares and 155 series B preferred shares, which would constitute the full repurchase of outstanding obligations the company has under TARP.

"During the last fiscal year, we paid $168,000 in dividends on this obligation to the Treasury. With the dividend rate scheduled to increase to 9.0% on February 20, 2014, the dividend expense on the preferred shares would have increased to $292,950 annually," President and CEO Paul Brunkhorst said in a news release.



 

[headlines]
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##### Press Release ############################

First South Leasing Opens New Leasing Production Office
in Charlotte, North Carolina


WASHINGTON, N.C.,  -- First South Bank (wholly owned subsidiary of First South Bancorp, Inc., NASDAQ: FSBK), is pleased to announce the opening of a new Leasing Production Office ("LPO") by its wholly owned subsidiary, First South Leasing, LLC, located at 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 200, Charlotte, North Carolina 28216.

The LPO opened for business on January 16, 2014 and is First South Leasing's first office in the Charlotte and Mecklenburg County market area.  The focus of the LPO will be on marketing First South Leasing's commercial lease products and services to local businesses and commercial customers.  Sharon Barrett will serve as Leasing Consultant for the new LPO.  Sharon had previously worked 25 years for Springs Leasing Corporation located in Charlotte. The new office may be reached by phone at 704-602-5162.

"The Charlotte LPO will help us continue expanding and serving the needs of our growing North Carolina business and commercial customer base into the Charlotte and Mecklenburg County market area," First South Leasing President Donnie Bunn said. "First South Leasing began doing business in September 2001 and currently engages in leasing activities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland.  The new Charlotte LPO will offer the same hometown atmosphere that our customers have come to expect from First South Leasing, as well as a convenient location, an experienced staff, and a variety of business and commercial leasing products."

First South Bank President Bruce Elder commented, "We are excited about the new LPO and the opportunity to introduce First South Bank to the Charlotte market area. Our in-house equipment leasing offers a business line that distinguishes First South Bank from other community banks in North Carolina.  Sharon's previous employer ceased leasing operations at the end of 2013 and we are pleased that she chose to bring her knowledge and expertise to First South Leasing." 

First South Bank has been serving the citizens of eastern and central North Carolina since 1902 and offers a variety of financial products and services.  In addition to the Leasing Company, securities brokerage services are made available through an affiliation with an independent broker/dealer. First South Bank operates through its main office headquartered in Washington, North Carolina, and has 26 full service branch offices located throughout eastern and central North Carolina.

First South Bancorp's common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FSBK".  Additional corporate information, product and service descriptions and online services are available to investors and customers through First South Bank's website at www.firstsouthnc.com

Statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors which include the effects of future economic conditions, governmental fiscal and monetary policies, legislative and regulatory changes, the risks of changes in interest rates, the effects of competition, and including without limitation to other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially as discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

(NASDAQ: FSBK)
For More Information Contact: 
Bruce Elder (252-940-4936)
Donnie Bunn (252-946-5190) or 
Sharon Barrett (704-602-5162) 
Website: www.firstsouthnc.com

### Press Release ############################

 


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Labrador Retriever/Border Collie Mix
Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada Adopt-a-Dog




Hershey
Male
Seven Years Old
House Trainer
Neutered
Shots Current

“Hershey is a dear dog who deserves a chance. He is a healthy 7 year old lab/border collie mix. Hershey is in a home where he does not get a lot of attention or exercise. His owners leave him tied up and don't take him for walks - as a result he will run off when he gets a chance - his owners do not have a fenced yard. Hershey has shared his home with another dog but we feel he may be best as the only dog. He does not get along with cats. Hershey knows basic commands and would do well with an adopter who is willing to challenge/engage him mentally and physically. He would do best in a house with a fenced backyard. Hershey is neutered, up to date on his vaccinations and weighs about 70 pounds. Please consider Hershey! With some consistent training and exercise he will blossom into a wonderful companion. “

“Please see the online application on our website (www.adoptadogsavealife.com) for more info on our adoption process or call us at 416-787-3862.”

Adopt-a-Dog/Save-a-Life
Etobicoke, ON M8Z 4L5
Contact eMail Form
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/27614477/

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/

 

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Classified ads—Asset Management

Leasing Industry Outsourcing
(Providing Services and Products)

Asset Management: Atlanta, GA
premier provide accounts receivable management functions from 3rd Party contingency collections to Portfolio Purchasing. Contact George Elliott, National Account Manager.
678-694-9063
westassetmanagement.com 

Asset Management: Boston, MA
Nationwide appraisals, remarketing, audits, inspections and more! Over 15-years industry experience and dedicated to deliver personal, prompt, professional services. 
Call Chris @ 508-785-1277.
email

Asset Management: Minneapolis, MN
NetSentric provides services to leasing companies: Inspection, Appraisals, Auditing, Warehousing, Repossession, Asset Management, Repairs, Remarketing and Field Service for Electronics and Computing Technology.
Email: jcahill@netsentricinc.com 

Asset Management: Monroe, NC
Recover a greater return on your investment.  We specialize in the woodworking, pallet, sawmill and forestry industries.  
Carolinamachinerysales.com
Melinda Meier (704)288-1904 x103
Asset Management: Nationwide 
BUYER/LENDER BEWARE. Don't sign anything until Collateral Verifications Inc. goes onsite, knocks on the door and gets the facts.
http://www.i-collateral.com
Email: mark@i-collateral.com

Nationwide 
Seasoned and fair priced workforce is at your service for all lease collections, repossessions, and asset liquidations, appraisals.  Call Nassau Asset Management 800-462-7728  dcastagna@nasset.com   

 

  Asset Management: Orange City, FL
We help Lessors Liquidate un-wanted Assets valued at $750,000+. It's an effective method of Liquidating Assets such as Jets, Planes, Helicopters, Freighters, etc. 
Eric R. Sanders 
Tel  386-789-9441 
www.ValuedAssetSales.com 
www.The-RandolphCapital.com 
EQPMNTLEASING@aol.com
Asset Storage/Re-Marketing: Ohio & surrounding states. Providing no cost warehousing, condition reports, digital photos and remarketing of off-lease forklifts & industrial equipment. NAFTA wide dealer network. Email to GCochran@OhioLift.com Asset Management
Melville, New York
Auctions, Appraisals, National Repossessions.  ALL asset classes. 20+ year team works for you. Spend less, Net More… Fast!
Ed Castagna 516-229-1968
ecastagna@inplaceauction.com
Asset Management:
South East US- AllState Asset Management 
Recovery, remarketing, inspections. 25 years experience, dedicated to deliver, prompt, professional services. 
Call Brian @ 704-671-2376.
email
Asset Management: Global
Specializing in Semiconductor and Electronic Test Equipment collateral. Lender services include Consignment Sales, Remarketing, Portfolio Purchases, Inspections, De-installation, Repairs and Warehousing. 
www.testequipmentconnection.com
email
Bulldog Asset Management provides recovery and remarketing services with a difference. Contingent repos, free storage and industry experts to remarket. Email:Jamie@bulldogasset.com 
www.bulldogasset.com

Asset Management: Portsmouth, NH
Unique approach improves results, keeps costs down. Repossession, Storage, Inspection, Legal, Appraisal, Transport, Remarketing. Free advice and resources.Call 855.EENGINE
equipmentengine.com


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http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Outsourcing/Outsourcing.htm

How to Post a free "Outsourcing" classified ad:
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News Briefs----

Accord Announces Acquisition Complete Varion Capital
http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20140203-905333.html

U.S. auto sales froze up in January
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2014/02/03/US-auto-sales-froze-up-in-January/UPI-85811391463780/

Federal money pays to lease equipment at Oklahoma winery
http://www.okcfox.com/story/24567769/federal-money-pays-to-lease-equipment-at-oklahoma-winery

Infinity Leasing, New Helicopter Equipment Leasing Venture
http://www.businesswire.com/news/dentonrc/20140129005145/en

U.S. Banks Ease Loan Standards in Fed Survey as Demand Rises
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-03/banks-in-u-s-ease-loan-standards-in-fed-survey-as-demand-rises.html?alcmpid=breakingnews

Senate Passes Long-Stalled Farm Bill
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/05/us/politics/senate-passes-long-stalled-farm-bill.html?emc=edit_na_20140204&_r=0

Obama: Make Wi-Fi in schools like it is in coffee shops
http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/02/04/22571808-obama-make-wifi-in-schools-like-it-is-in-coffee-shops?lite

Microsoft names insider Nadella its new CEO, Gates as tech adviser
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_25057791/microsoft-names-insider-nadella-its-new-ceo-gates

Lenders See Write-Off While ‘Underwater’ Homeowners Face Stiff Taxes
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/05/business/economy/lenders-see-write-off-while-underwater-homeowners-face-stiff-taxes.html?ref=business

First Navy 'super carrier' departs for its last journey
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/feb/04/USS-Forrestal-Navy-super-carrier-scrap/#&panel2-1

'It Was Just the Dumbest Luck'— Facebook's First Employees
http://mashable.com/2014/02/04/facebook-early-employees/

 

Equipment Asset Manager
Los Angeles, California


Experience in heavy equipment required, ideal Class 8 trucks. Salary commensurate, performance bonus.
Call Shervin Rashti direct: 213-599-7660 or
send resume shervin@maximcc.com

www.maximcc.com
Maxim Commercial Capital is a commercial finance company committed to fostering the growth of small and middle market companies by providing creative and flexible asset-backed financing solutions



[headlines]

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--You May Have Missed It


For The Clowns Hating The Coke Ad With A Gay Family: Guess Who Wrote The Song?
http://www.huffingtonpost/2014/02/03/coke-commercial-family_n_4717635.html


[headlines]
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SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer


5 Signs You Should Not Own a Dog
http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/5-signs-not-own-dog-144600085.html




[headlines]

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Sports Briefs----

Peyton Checked On Sherm After Game
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1946920-richard-sherman-touts-class-act-gesture-by-peyton-manning-after-2014-super-bowl

Seattle jumped pass routes---They read Manning like a book!
http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2013/story/_/id/10403077/super-bowl-richard-sherman-claims-seattle-seahawks-anticipated-denver-broncos-plays-based-peyton-manning-hands

Most Disappointing Football Players of 2013
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/most-disappointing-2013-060500772--nfl.html

Seattle's had eight players suspended the past three years for drug policy violations, more than any team in the league. Coach Pete Carroll had problems at USC that led to his taking the Seahawks’ job ahead of NCAA sanctions.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jan/30/pete-carroll-defends-seahawks-over-string-of-drugs-suspensions

(Sherman was suspended last year but won an appeal on a technicality (irregularities in the testing process). Most of the Seattle suspensions were for Adderall. Sherman was quoted as saying "half the league takes it". The league allows Adderall and Ritalin provided the proper paperwork has been filed with the league office, but of course it is abused and over-prescribed just like it is in children. Assoc. Editor).

[headlines]
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California Nuts Briefs---

App-based ride services lure drivers from S.F. cab companies
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/App-based-ride-services-lure-drivers-from-S-F-5197168.php


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“Gimme that Wine”

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

Marin vineyard owners concerned about drought, preparing for fewer wine grapes
http://www.marinij.com/novato/ci_25054110/marin-vineyard-owners-concerned-about-drought-preparing-fewer

California Syrahs, on Such a Winter’s Day
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/05/dining/california-syrahs-on-such-a-winters-day.html

Wines of Wind Country
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20140204/lifestyle/140209885

Livermore wine label printing company expands to Santa Rosa
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20140204/business/140209847

Ex Chateau Owner's Body Found in River
http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2014/02/ex-chateau-owners-body-found-in-river

 

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


[headlines]
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This Day in History

    1631- English clergyman Roger Williams first arrived in America. He soon began questioning Massachusetts' religious policies which fused church and state matters. Williams was banished to Rhode Island five years later, where at Providence he established the first Baptist church in America. He is known today as the “founder of Rhode Island.”
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/feb05.html
    1644- the first branding law by a colony was enacted by Connecticut. It provided that all cattle and swine older than six months be earmarked or branded before May 1, 1644, and that the marks be registered. The penalty for violation was five shillings a head, two of which were paid to informers.
   1723-Birthday of John Withersoon, clergyman, signer of the Declaration of Independence and reputed coiner of the word “Americanism” (in 1781). He was one of the hardest workers on the constitution and for the United States, according to historians. When he arrived from Scotland he had brought three hundred books with him, donated it to College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), where he became president, was active as a minister, and he built the library and the college. Five months after signing the Declaration, the British burned his library. As one colleague reported, "He would lay aside the cloth to take revenge on them, I believe he would send them to the devil if he could." Born near Edinburgh, Scotland. Died at Princeton, NJ. Nov 15,1794.
http://thedeclarationofindependence.org/JohnWitherspoon.com/
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/witherspoon.htm 
    1736- The English Wesley brothers, John (32) and Charles (28) first arrived in America at Savannah, GA. They had been invited by Georgia governor James Oglethorpe as missionaries to the American Indians. They were co-founders of Methodism.
http://gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/
    1777- Changing European historic tradition, King George abolished laws of entail and primogeniture. Entail is a means of willing property to a specific and unchangeable hierarchy of inheritors. Primogeniture is the right of the eldest child in a family, usually the eldest son, to inherit his parents’ entire estate. In Europe, all property and rights went to the first born, and were willed primarily to the first born male, with the rest of the family having to depend on the eldest son. This was one of the most
profound far reaching changes to both the financial and moral differences between the old world and the new world.
    1780- The estimated colonial population was 2,7821,000. The winter was very cold and the Continental Army had suffered its worst privations, its greatest defeats, and its darkest hours. It would continue to lose battles but, by the time turned into a well-trained fighting force by European officers and aided by allied French forces, it endured and marched to ultimate victory at Yorktown, VA, in August 1781. The diplomatic struggle continued. Primarily articles of peace were secured on November 30,1782, after long and difficult negotiations. The Treaty of Paris by which the was officially ended and independence formally acknowledged by Great Britain, was not signed on September 3,1783. 
    1846- The first newspaper published on the Pacific Coast was the Oregon Spectator, a semimonthly issued in Oregon City, OR. Its slogan was “ Westward the star of the empire takes its way.”
    1856--Chinese New Year began in San Francisco. New Year's Eve was celebrated by the Celestials last night with the explosion of millions of firecrackers.
    1861- Louisiana delegation except Dominique Bouligny withdraws from Congress. Mr. Bouligny was opposed to the doctrine of secession, and was the only representative from a seceding state that did not leave his seat. During the civil war he remained in the north, dying in Washington before its close.
http://famousamericans.net/dominiquebouligny/
http://www.congressionalcemetery.org/PDF/Obits/B/Obits_Bouligny.PDF
    1861 - Cincinnati, Ohio resident, Samuel Goodale, patented the moving picture peep show machine. After depositing a coin and turning a crank on the side of the ornate box, a flickering movie appeared. 
Pictures were placed on leaves fastened by one edge to an axis in such a way that they stood out like spokes. As the shaft revolved, different images were seen in motion.

1865 – Union and Confederate forces around Petersburg, Virginia, begin a three-day battle that produces 3,000 casualties but ends with no significant advantage for either side. Dabney’s Mill was another attempt by Union General Ulysses S. Grant to break the siege of Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia. In 1864, Grant and Confederate General Robert E. Lee pounded each other as they wheeled south around the cities. After a month of heavy battling that produced the highest casualty rates of the war, Grant and Lee settled into trenches around Petersburg. These lines eventually stretched 25 miles to Richmond, and the stalemate continued for 10 months. The chase ended in April when Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House.
    1883-The Southern Pacific Railroad completes its transcontinental "Sunset Route" from New Orleans to California, consolidating its dominance over rail traffic to the Pacific. One of the most powerful railroad companies of the 19th century, the "Espee" (as the railroad was often called) originated in an ambitious plan conceived in 1870 by the "Big Four" western railroad barons: Collis P. Huntington, Charles Crocker, Leland Stanford, and Mark Hopkins. A year earlier, the Big Four's western-based Central Pacific had linked up with the eastern-based Union Pacific in Utah, creating the first transcontinental American railway. With that finished, the "Big Four" began to look for ways to increase their control over West Coast shipping, and decided to focus their efforts on extending the California-based Southern Pacific southward.
By 1877, the Southern Pacific controlled 85 percent of California's railroad mileage. Huntington, who now dominated the company, saw an excellent opportunity to create a transcontinental line through the southern United States. Huntington had to act fast if was to beat the competition. The Texas and Pacific Railroad was already pushing westward toward the Pacific at a fast pace. Marshalling his awesome energy and financial resources, Huntington began driving his Southern Pacific line eastward. He won the race in 1881, when he linked the Southern Pacific to the Santa Fe Railroad at Deming, New Mexico, creating the second American transcontinental railway. Two years later, on February 5, 1883, Huntington gained full control of a number of smaller railroads, creating the Southern Pacific's "Sunset Route" from New Orleans to California. With the "Sunset Route," Huntington confirmed his domination over California rails. He had taken considerable financial risks to build the Southern Pacific system, and he collected very considerable financial rewards. The Southern Pacific had a near monopoly over rail service to California, and Huntington and his associates took advantage of the situation by charging high shipping rates. Termed "the Octopus" for its tentacle stranglehold on much of the California economy, the Southern Pacific inspired Californians to create some of the first strong public regulations over railroads in American history. But despite the anger and outrage Huntington's exploitation inspired, few would deny that the mighty Southern Pacific Railroad played an essential role in fostering the growth of a vibrant California economy for decades to come.
    1887 -The Chicago Evangelization Society was organized by evangelist D. L. Moody, 50. Two years later, the Society established the Bible Institute for Home and Foreign Missions. Moody died in 1899, and in 1900 the school was renamed Moody Bible Institute.
    1887 - San Francisco, California had its greatest snowfall ever with 3.7 inches falling. The western hills of the city recorded up to 7 inches.
Excited crowds went on a snowball throwing rampage. 
    1889-According to many sources on the internet, but not confirmed, the word “hamburger” first appears in the Walla Walla Union newspaper.
It is perhaps this allegation that MacDonald’s TV advertisement: “How ya doin’? How you doin’?” fellow meets his girl, and asks here where she is from: “Walla, Walla.” While this date and event appears on many “internet calendars,” we could not confirm nor deny it.
http://www.whatscookingamerica.net/History/HamburgerHistory.htm
http://www.geography.ccsu.edu/harmonj/atlas/burgers.html
    1900 -- Surrealist painter Yves Tanguy born.
http://www.cosmopolis.ch/english/cosmo14/yvestanguy.htm 
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/glo/surrealism/
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/tanguy_yves.html
    1914-Birthday of famous American author William Burroughs, St. Louis, Missouri. His “Naked Lunch” is considered an American classic. Perhaps
not realized by many, he is the scion of the famous computer business
corporation, graduate of Harvard University, besides being well known
for his drug experiments.
http://www.altreel.com/cult-fiction/Burroughs.html
http://www.streettech.com/bcp/BCPgraf/Glossary/gloss1.html#Burroughs
    1916 - For the Victor Talking Machine Company, Enrico Caruso recorded "O Solo Mio". The company eventually became Victor Records, then RCA Victor
    1917- Mexico's present constitution was adopted, embracing major social reforms. This is a national
holiday in Mexico.
    1917- An Immigration Act was passed by Congress over President Woodrow Wilson's veto on December 14, 1916. The law required a literacy test for immigrants and barred Asian laborers, except for those from countries with special agreements or treaties with the United States. A series of reforms was introduced and passed over Wilson’s veto. The country was moving to an isolationist policy.
    1921- Yankees purchase 20 acres in The Bronx as the site for Yankee Stadium
    1924- President Wilson was the first president buried in Washington, in the National Cathedral, the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul.
    1928- birthday of Donald “Don” Hoak, baseball player born at Roulette, PA. Hoak was a tough third baseman who played with the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was married to singer Jill Corey. Died at Pittsburgh, PA, Oct 9, 1969.
  1929—Birthday of drummer and author Hal Blaine, Holyoke, MA
http://www.molehillgroup.com/hal_blaine.htm
http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Hal%20Blaine.html
http://www.halblaine.com/
    1933 -- Golden Gate Bridge work commences in San Francisco. The California. Bridge opens May 28, 1937.
http://www.goldengatebridge.org/photos/history.html
http://www.sfmuseum.net/hist10/strauss.html
    1933- Country singer Claude King was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. His recording of "Wolverton Mountain" was a big hit on both the pop and country charts in 1962. 

1934- birthday of Henry “Hank” Aaron, baseball executive and Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder, born Mobile, AL. When he retired, he held major league record for most career home runs (755), home runs with one club (Braves, 733), RBIs (2,297), total bases (6,856), most games played (3,298) and many others. Hit 20 or more home runs for 20 consecutive seasons (1955-1974). Named to 24 All Star games.
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees
/hofer_bios/aaron_hank.htm

    1936-Birthday of vocalist June Tyson, Albermarle, NC
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/card/0,,504102,00.html
http://www.edmicheljazzproducer.com/sun_ra.htm
    1936 - The first Charlie Chaplin talkie, "Modern Times", was released. Chaplin’s voice was heard in the film, but he was difficult to understand as he was singing gibberish that no one understood. Paulette Goddard who played the part of a waif was the movie's star. 
http://www.filmsite.org/mode.html
    1940- Glenn Miller records “Tuxedo Junction,” (Bluebird 10612 ).
    1941- Motown songwriter and sometime singer Barrett Strong was born in Mississippi. Strong's 1960 recording of "Money" was one of the first hits for Berry Gordy's Motown company. But Strong soon began concentrating on songwriting, collaborating with Norman Whitfield on some of the Temptations' biggest hits, including "Just My Imagination," "Psychedelic Shack" and "Cloud Nine." 
    1942- Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys’ Football Hall of Fame quarterback, born Cincinnati, OH. Heisman Trophy winner as Navy junior in 1963; led Dallas to 2 Super Bowl titles (1972,78) and was Super Bowl MVP in 1972; 5-time leading passer in NFC (1971,73,77-79).
    1942-Birthday of pianist Keith Ingham, London, England
http://www.jazzcanadiana.on.ca/_Ingham.htm
http://www.jazzcanadiana.on.ca/INGHAM.HTM
http://www.jazzbymail.com/artists/ingham.html
    1944- Guitarist and keyboard player Al Kooper, a major figure in the blues-rock movement of the 1960's, was born in Brooklyn, New York. In 1965, he helped form the Blues Project. And two years later, he and Steve Katz put together Blood, Sweat and Tears, but Kooper left the group before it achieved commercial success. By the '70s, Kooper was involved more in producing than recording. He discovered the groups Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Tubes.
http://www.alkooper.com/bio.html 
http://jhendrix110.tripod.com/AlKooper.html
    1945—Medal of Honor RUDOLPH, DONALD E.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company E, 20th Infantry, 6th Infantry Division. Place and date: Munoz, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 5 February 1945. Entered service at: Minneapolis, Minn. Birth: South Haven, Minn. G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945. Citation: 2d Lt. Rudolph (then T/Sgt.) was acting as platoon leader at Munoz, Luzon, Philippine Islands. While administering first aid on the battlefield, he observed enemy fire issuing from a nearby culvert. Crawling to the culvert with rifle and grenades, he killed 3 of the enemy concealed there. He then worked his way across open terrain toward a line of enemy pillboxes which had immobilized his company. Nearing the first pillbox, he hurled a grenade through its embrasure and charged the position. With his bare hands he tore away the wood and tin covering, then dropped a grenade through the opening, killing the enemy gunners and destroying their machinegun. Ordering several riflemen to cover his further advance, 2d Lt. Rudolph seized a pick mattock and made his way to the second pillbox. Piercing its top with the mattock, he dropped a grenade through the hole, fired several rounds from his rifle into it and smothered any surviving enemy by sealing the hole and the embrasure with earth. In quick succession he attacked and neutralized 6 more pillboxes. Later, when his platoon was attacked by an enemy tank, he advanced under covering fire, climbed to the top of the tank and dropped a white phosphorus grenade through the turret, destroying the crew. Through his outstanding heroism, superb courage, and leadership, and complete disregard for his own safety, 2d Lt. Rudolph cleared a path for an advance which culminated in one of the most decisive victories of the Philippine campaign.

    1945—Medal of Honor VIALE, ROBERT M.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company K, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division. Place and date: Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 5 February 1945. Entered service at: Ukiah, Calif. Birth: Bayside, Calif. G.O. No.: 92, 25 October 1945. Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. Forced by the enemy’s detonation of prepared demolitions to shift the course of his advance through the city, he led the 1st platoon toward a small bridge, where heavy fire from 3 enemy pillboxes halted the unit. With 2 men he crossed the bridge behind screening grenade smoke to attack the pillboxes. The first he knocked out himself while covered by his men’s protecting fire; the other 2 were silenced by 1 of his companions and a bazooka team which he had called up. He suffered a painful wound in the right arm during the action. After his entire platoon had joined him, he pushed ahead through mortar fire and encircling flames. Blocked from the only escape route by an enemy machinegun placed at a street corner, he entered a nearby building with his men to explore possible means of reducing the emplacement. In 1 room he found civilians huddled together, in another, a small window placed high in the wall and reached by a ladder. Because of the relative positions of the window, ladder, and enemy emplacement, he decided that he, being left-handed, could better hurl a grenade than 1 of his men who had made an unsuccessful attempt. Grasping an armed grenade, he started up the ladder. His wounded right arm weakened, and, as he tried to steady himself, the grenade fell to the floor. In the 5 seconds before the grenade would explode, he dropped down, recovered the grenade and looked for a place to dispose of it safely. Finding no way to get rid of the grenade without exposing his own men or the civilians to injury or death, he turned to the wall, held it close to his body and bent over it as it exploded. 2d Lt. Viale died in a few minutes, but his heroic act saved the lives of others.
    1948---Top Hits
Golden Earrings - Peggy Lee
How Soon - Jack Owens
Ballerina - Vaughn Monroe
I’ll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms) - Eddy Arnold
    1948- Dick Button became the first American to win a gold medal in figure skating when he triumphed at the Fifth Winter Olympics at St. Moritz, Switzerland. Button earned a second gold medal four years later at Oslo, Norway.
    1950- Stan Kenton’s Band records Shorty Roger’s “Jolly Rogers,” “Blues in a Riff,” Hollywood, CA.
    1953 - "Peter Pan", the Walt Disney film, opened at the Roxy Theatre in New York City. Although the film is now said to be a great work, not all of the 1953 critics liked the Disney stylization of J.M. Barrie's play.
    1953 - Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz excitedly received the first of several Emmy Awards at the 4th Annual Emmy Awards banquet in Los Angeles. “I Love Lucy” won for Best Situation Comedy and Lucille Ball won for Best Comedienne. Other winners at the event included “Robert Montgomery Presents” for Best Dramatic Program; “Dragnet” for Best Mystery, Action, or Adventure Program; “Your Show of Shows” won for Best Variety Program; and “Time for Beany” was chosen Best Children's Program for the third year in a row. Emmys were originally going to be called "Ikes," a short form for the television iconoscope tube, but the name had problems, as it was also the nickname of war hero and future President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Ultimately, the nickname chosen was a feminization of "Immy," a term commonly used for the early image orthicon camera tube. 
    1955-WNEW Radio in New York City announces the results of its annual music popularity poll. The winners are Perry Como, Patti Page, the Crew- Cuts and Ray Anthony. 
    1955-- The Fontaine Sisters' "Hearts of Stone" hits #1
    1956---Top Hits
Rock and Roll Waltz - Kay Starr
See You Later, Alligator - Bill Haley & His Comets
No, Not Much! - The Four Lads
Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford
    1957- Bill Haley and the Comets arrived in London for their first British tour. Haley's popularity was already beginning to decline in North America, but he continued to tour regularly in Britain and Europe through the mid-1970's.
    1960 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Teen Angel'' by Mark Dinning. Dinning was surrounded by music from an early age: three of his sisters formed the group the Dinning Sisters (which had a top 10 song with the Oscar-winning “Buttons and Bows'') and his baby-sitter was Patti Page. The song debuts at No. 100 on the Hot 100.
    1961 - The Shirelles finished their first week at #1 on the music charts with "Will You Love Me Tomorrow". The song spent two weeks at the top spot. It was the group’s first #1 song and the first #1 hit for the songwriter. She became a star in her own right, having many singles and albums in the 1970s. Her name was Carole King.
    1961-Two big influences of '60s pop make their debuts. Mary Wells with "Bye Bye Baby" and Gene Pitney with "Love My Life Away." (1961)
    1963 -- Co-founder of Chess records, Leonard Chess, tells Billboard, "As it stands today, there's virtually no difference between rock & roll, pop & rhythm & blues. The music has completely overlapped."
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Landmarks/C/Chess.html
    1964---Top Hits
I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
You Don’t Own Me - Leslie Gore
Out of Limits - The Marketts
Begging to You - Marty Robbins
    1966-- Petula Clark's "My Love" hits #1
    1966- Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler's "Ballad of the Green Berets" entered the US charts on its way to number one. Released at the height of the Vietnam War, it became one of the fastest sellers in the modern record business. It climbed very quickly on the charts and stayed number one for 13 weeks. The song was originally recorded for distribution to American troops, but RCA had Sadler record it with a full complement of studio musicians. Sadler soon resumed his military career, and was not heard from again until 1978 when he was involved in the first of two well-publicized shooting incidents. He later suffered brain damage when he was shot during a robbery at his home in Guatemala. 
    1966-Surf-rockers the Marketts enter the Hot 100 for the fifth and last time with the "Batman Theme." It reaches #17 in nine weeks on the charts. 
    1967 -"The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" premieres on CBS (later ABC, NBC). The CBS show lasted until April 4, 1969 when it was cancelled by CBS for being too controversial. The hour-long show strongly influenced television humor during the two years it aired. Tom and Dick, however, frequently found themselves at odds with the censors over material that would be considered tame today. Guests and cast members frequently knocked the Vietnam War and the Nixon Administration. Acts with antiwar protestors such as Harry Belafonte were often cut.
http://timstvshowcase.com/
http://www.tvparty.com/smothers2.html
http://www.smothersbrothers.com/
http://www.masonwilliams-online.com/careertvcom.html
http://www.partialobserver.com/ArticleDisplay.cfm?ArticleID=570
    1968- Dr. Benjamin Spock, William Sloan Coffin the chaplain of Yale University; novelist Mitchell Goodman, Michael Ferber, a graduate student at Harvard; and Marcus Raskin, a peace activist are indicted on charges of conspiracy to encourage violations of the draft laws by a grand jury in Boston. The charges are the result of actions taken at a protest rally the previous October at the Lincoln Memorial. The four are convicted and Raskin acquitted on June 14th. 

    1969--NOONAN, THOMAS P., JR.   Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Company G, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Near Vandergrift Combat Base, A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 5 February 1969. Entered service at: Brooklyn, N.Y. Born: 18 November 1943, Brooklyn, N.Y. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a fire team leader with Company G, in operations against the enemy in Quang Tri Province. Company G was directed to move from a position which they had been holding southeast of the Vandergrift Combat Base to an alternate location. As the marines commenced a slow and difficult descent down the side of the hill made extremely slippery by the heavy rains, the leading element came under a heavy fire from a North Vietnamese Army unit occupying well concealed positions in the rocky terrain. Four men were wounded, and repeated attempts to recover them failed because of the intense hostile fire. L/Cpl. Noonan moved from his position of relative security and, maneuvering down the treacherous slope to a location near the injured men, took cover behind some rocks. Shouting words of encouragement to the wounded men to restore their confidence, he dashed across the hazardous terrain and commenced dragging the most seriously wounded man away from the fire-swept area. Although wounded and knocked to the ground by an enemy round, L/Cpl. Noonan recovered rapidly and resumed dragging the man toward the marginal security of a rock. He was, however, mortally wounded before he could reach his destination. His heroic actions inspired his fellow marines to such aggressiveness that they initiated a spirited assault which forced the enemy soldiers to withdraw. L/Cpl. Noonan's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. 
    1969- - Bobby Brown of New Edition is born in Boston. After leaving the teen R&B group he has a string of solo hits, including the million-selling No. 1 song “My Prerogative.'' He has a bit part in the film “Ghostbusters II'' which features his million-selling song “On Our Own.'' In 1992, he marries singer Whitney Houston. They
eventually divorce after a tumultuous marriage.
http://www.yesterdayland.com/popopedia/shows/music/mu1227.php
    1969-The Beatles "Yellow Submarine" album, the soundtrack to the animated film of that name, is awarded a gold record. The album contains only four previously unreleased Beatles songs: Harrison’s "It's All Too Much" and "Only a Northern Song" and Lennon and McCartney's "Hey Bulldog" and "All Together Now." (1969)
    1970 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Venus,'' The Shocking Blue. The song is the biggest-selling single from Holland.
    1972---Top Hits
American Pie - Don McLean
Let’s Stay Together - Al Green
Day After Day - Badfinger
One’s on the Way - Loretta Lynn
    1972- Paul Simon released his first solo single following his breakup with Art Garfunkel, "Mother and Child Reunion." Recorded in Jamaica, it reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The second hit off the record "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," turns out to be one of quirkiest songs of the year. (1972)
    1972-Neil Young's "Heart Of Gold" is released.
    1972 - Bob Douglas became the first black man elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. Douglas not only coached the New York Renaissance, an all-black team which won 88 consecutive games in 1933, he owned the team. 
     1973-Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" goes gold. 
    1974--Patty Hearst is kidnapped at gunpoint, daughter of newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. It was a major story in its day. As a side note, they hired the assignment editor of KGO-TV to be their spokesman, which opened up the position and he recommended Kit Menkin for the job, which I took when they offered to me.
http://www.crimelibrary.com/terrorists_spies/terrorists/hearst/1.htm
    1975-North Vietnamese Gen. Van Tien Dung departs for South Vietnam to take command of communist forces in preparation for a new offensive. In December 1974, the North Vietnamese 7th Division and the newly formed 3rd Division attacked Phuoc Long Province, north of Saigon. This attack represented an escalation in the "cease-fire war" that started shortly after the Paris Peace Accords were signed in 1973. The North Vietnamese wanted to see how Saigon and Washington would react to a major attack so close to Saigon. President Richard Nixon and his successor, Gerald Ford, had promised to come to the aid of South Vietnam if the North Vietnamese launched a major new offensive. With Nixon's Watergate resignation and Ford facing an increasingly hostile Congress, Hanoi was essentially conducting a "test" attack to see if the United States would honor its commitment to Saigon. The attack was much more successful than the North Vietnamese anticipated: the South Vietnamese soldiers fought poorly and the United States did nothing. Emboldened by their success, the North Vietnamese decided to launch a major offensive against the South Vietnamese. "Campaign 275" began on March 1, 1975. The North Vietnamese forces quickly overran the South Vietnamese and the United States failed to provide the promised support. Saigon fell on April 30 and the South Vietnamese government officially surrendered.
    1976- Before a roaring crowd of fellow countrymen, Austrian Franz Klammer won the downhill ski race at the XIIth Winter Olympic Games at Innsbruck, Austria. Clad in bright yellow, Klammer electrified a worldwide television audience with his breathtaking run.
    1977-- Mary Macgregor’s "Torn Between Two Lovers" hits #1
    1979-The Pointer Sisters' version of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" turns gold the same month as it reaches #2. 
    1980---Top Hits
Rock with You - Michael Jackson
Do that to Me One More Time - The Captain & Tennille
Coward of the County - Kenny Rogers
I’ll Be Coming Back for More - T.G. Sheppard
    1981 - Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau inducts singer Joni Mitchell into Canada's Juno Hall of Fame.
    1987 - For the first time, the Dow Jones industrial average closed above the 2,200-point mark, closing at 2201.49. 
    1988 - a rare snow event occurred in southern Louisiana. 2 to 4 inches fell from East Baton Rouge parish to St. Tammany and Washington parish. This was the most snow in southern Louisiana since 1973.
    1988---Top Hits
Need You Tonight - INXS
Could’ve Been - Tiffany
Hazy Shade of Winter - Bangles
Wheels - Restless Heart
    1988-Military strongman General Manuel Antonio Noriega and 16 associates are arrested on drug smuggling and money laundering charges. Noriega, the de facto dictator of Panama since 1983, was charged with smuggling marijuana into the United States, laundering millions of U.S. dollars, and assisting Colombia's Medellin drug cartel in trafficking cocaine to America. The Panamanian leader denied the charges and threatened expulsion of the 10,000 U.S. service personnel and their families stationed around the Panama Canal. In 1968 Noriega, then a first lieutenant in the Panamanian National Guard, played an important part in a coup that ousted President Arnulfo Arias and brought General Omar Torrijos to power. Early the next year, Torrijos rewarded Noriega for his loyalty by promoting him to lieutenant colonel and appointing him chief of military intelligence. In 1970, Noriega, who had first been approached by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) while a promising military student in the early 1960s, went on the payroll of the CIA. The United States used Noriega as a check against the left-leaning Torrijos and as an informer on Central American revolutionaries, the Colombian drug cartels, and communist Cuba, which Torrijos, though not a Marxist himself, admired and visited. Noriega, meanwhile, developed his G-2 intelligence agency into a feared secret police force and became involved in the drug trade. The U.S. government was aware of his drug trafficking, and in 1977 he was removed from the CIA payroll. However, in 1981, the United States organized and financed the anti-Sandinista Contras in Nicaragua, and Noriega was brought back into the CIA fold. For a salary of close to $200,000 a year, Noriega provided intelligence about the Sandinistas and Cubans to the Americans and aided the Contras in their drug-trafficking efforts. Noriega's criminal trial began in 1991, and he pleaded innocent. On April 9, 1992, he was found guilty on eight counts of drug trafficking, racketeering, and money laundering, marking the first time in history that a U.S. jury had convicted a foreign leader of criminal charges. He was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison.
    [1991- Joni Mitchel inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame.
http://www.jonimitchell.com/
    1993-President William Clinton signed legislation requiring companies with 50 or more employees ( and all government agencies) to allow employees to take up to 123??? weeks unpaid leave in a 12-month period to deal with the birth or adoption of a child or to care for a relative with a serious health problem. The bill became effective August 5, 1993.
    1994-Avowed White supremacist Byron de le Beckwith is convicted of NACCP field representative Medger Evers' murder, after more than thirty years, ending the lengthiest murder case in American history. Evers was gunned down in the driveway of his Jackson, Mississippi, home while his wife, Myrlie, and the couple's small children were inside waiting for their father. Beckwith, widely recognized as the killer, was prosecuted for murder in 1964. However, two all-white (and all-male) juries deadlocked and refused to convict Beckwith. A second trial held in the same year resulted in a hung jury. The matter was dropped when it appeared that a conviction would be impossible. Myrlie Evers became the national chairwoman of the NAACP and refused to give up, pressing authorities to re-open the case. In 1989, documents came to light showing that jurors were illegally screened. Prosecutor Bobby DeLaughter worked with Myrlie Evers to force another prosecution of Beckwith. After four years of legal maneuvering, they were finally successful. At the third trial they produced a riflescope from the murder weapon with Beckwith's fingerprints. Justice was finally achieved when Beckwith was convicted and given a life sentence by a racially diverse jury in 1994. The story was dramatized in Rob Reiner's movie, “Ghosts of Mississippi”. Beckwith appealed the conviction, claiming that he had not been granted a speedy trial as required by the Constitution. However, the appeals courts have rejected his argument.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.com
http://www.galegroup.com/htmm/mwevers.htm
    1996-Bank of America announced it would open a branch on America Online, allowing customers to bank on the Internet. Online banking and financial applications would become extremely successful in attracting customers.
    1996- General Motors launched a Web site with more than 16,000 pages and 98,000 links. GM's site would become one of the largest on the Web and eventually offered online car shopping. 
    1996 -The great Arctic outbreak of '96 began to wind down, but not before one more frigid morning. Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina dropped to zero degrees for its coldest February temperature on record. Lakeland and Orlando, Florida recorded subfreezing temperatures with 24 and 26 degrees, respectively. 10 below zero at Lynchburg, Virginia tied its all-time record low. Some of the coldest temperatures in 20 years for southern New England were experienced. Shrewsbury, Massachusetts recorded 23 below and Willimantic, Connecticut fell to 22 below.
   
1998 - Elton John and Stevie Wonder perform at the White House for US President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
    1999 - CityJazz, the new concert facility housing the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame celebrates its grand opening with the help of artists whose presence implies a blessing on the upscale venue. Trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, drummer Elvin Jones, clarinetist Artie Shaw, and pianists Horace Silver and Cecil Taylor, five of only 14 living members of the venerable jazz magazine's Hall of Fame, crowd on stage during the opening ceremonies.
    2006 – Super Bowl 40…Seattle scored first late in the first quarter on Josh Brown's 47-yard field goal, a few plays after an offensive pass interference call against wide receiver Darrell Jackson nullified his 16-yard touchdown reception. Then with less than two minutes left in the first half, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger ran for a 1-yard sneak. The touchdown was reviewed automatically and upheld when replays were unable to provide visual evidence that the ball had not crossed the plane of the end zone line as ruled on the field. Pittsburgh took a 14–3 lead on their first drive in the second half with running back Willie Parker's Super Bowl record 75-yard touchdown run. Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor intercepted a Hasselbeck pass; Adding insult to injury, during the return Matt Hasselbeck was penalized for a low block call (crashing into an opponent’s legs), which NFL officials would acknowledge was incorrect during a May 2006 meeting between officials and Seahawks coaching staff. The NFL, however, supported the officiating decisions made on other Seahawks disputed calls. Antwaan Randle El capped off the game with a 43-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hines Ward on a fake reverse to give the Steelers a 21–10 edge.  (Wikipedia)
    2012--- -- Eli Manning and the Giants one-upped Tom Brady and the Patriots again, coming back with a last-minute score to beat New England 21-17 for New York's fourth Super Bowl title. It was a rematch of Super Bowl XLII, when Manning led New York past New England to ruin the Patriots' bid for a perfect season. But in the end, it was Manning who directed the nine-play, 88-yard drive that put New York ahead when running back Ahmad Bradshaw scored the winning touchdown.

Super Bowl XL Feb. 5, 2006   Pittsburgh 21, Seattle 10
Super Bowl ILVI?? February 5, 2012 New York Giants 21
—New England Patriots 17


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