Austin, TX.
20+ years exper. lease/finance. P & L responsibility, strong credit & collection management, re-marketing& accounting. Computers, construction, auto & transportation. Both commercial/ consumer portfolios.
Email: kmalone@austin.rr.com Asset

Bloomfield Township, MI.
15+ yrs experience asset management and credit analyst. Leadership and training skills. Audited returns, max residual, lease end and resale negotiator. E-mail: cmcozzolino@msn.com

Chicago, IL.
MBA, 15+ years exp. Long history of success in maximizing residual position through outstanding negotiation skills & lease contract management. Third party re-marketing, forecasting etc...
email: jgambla@aol.com

Princeton, NJ.
Asset management/credit/collection
20+ years experience in equipment financing. Last five years in Asset Management including remarketing, end of lease negotiations, equipment and market evaluations
E-mail: bgaffrey@earthlink.net

Wilton, CT.
18 years exp. in IT and High Tech leasing industry. Residual forecasting, workouts, off-lease sales, mid-term restructures, auctions, all aspects of remarketing and equipment management.
Email: charrer@hotmail.com

A former executive linked to the notorious PinnFund financial scam was sentenced yesterday to more than five years in federal prison.

Keith G. Grubba, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Marilyn Huff, who also ordered Grubba to pay restitution to victims.

The former president of Carlsbad-based PinnFund, Grubba was the operations chief of a mortgage business that camouflaged one of the largest Ponzi schemes in San Diego County history.

Several former PinnFund executives have been sent to prison or fined as a result of the scam. Chief executive Michael Fanghella, a key architect of the scheme, is serving a 10-year prison sentence.

"Corporate executives should know that they will pay a price for stealing from investors," said U.S. Attorney Carol Lam.

Authorities contend Fanghella and associate James Hillman promised 160 investors double-digit returns for the more than $300 million they put into PinnFund to fund mortgage loans.

Instead, the money went to cover millions in operating losses, enrich executives and to provide previous investors with their monthly returns, authorities said.

The scam unraveled in March 2001 after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit against the company alleging fraud. Fanghella went to prison in February 2003. Hillman denies wrongdoing and is awaiting trial.

While not a ringleader, Grubba perpetuated the scam, according to authorities. In January 2003, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, tax evasion and lying to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

He has been free pending sentencing, which had been delayed several times because prosecutors wanted to wait until after he testified at Hillman's trial.

But a date for the Hillman trial still hasn't been set. So Grubba asked to be sentenced now "to put this behind him and go on with his life," said his lawyer, Juanita Brooks.

Since leaving PinnFund, Grubba has lost his home, Brooks said. He and his wife divorced. He lives with his sister and has been working at various temporary jobs, his lawyer said.

Grubba apologized in court to investors and PinnFund employees, who lost their jobs when the Ponzi scheme unraveled. He is expected to begin serving his sentence in March.

Prosecutors sought an eight-year sentence for Grubba, Brooks said. But Judge Huff opted for the more than five years after assessing the level of Grubba's involvement and financial benefit he received from the fraud, she said.

Under federal sentencing rules, Grubba must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for release.

Another top executive of PinnFund, chief financial officer John Garitta, also has pleaded guilty to charges related to the scheme. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 7.

(According to public records, “approximately (70) banks and leasing companies are involved with a fraud estimated to be in excess of $60 million.)

GRAND RAPIDS -- The hollow boxes with blinking lights are worthless. But there is nothing phony about Barton Watson's corporate wine cellar.

Harlan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon valued at $1,354 a bottle. Joseph Phelps Insignia Red worth $450. Grace Family Cabernet at $895.

The bankruptcy trustee overseeing the remains of CyberNET Group plans to auction the company's collection of 1,446 bottles, from Riesling to chardonnay, pinot noir to zinfandel. The money will make a small dent in the millions of dollars owed to creditors.

"We hope someone will enjoy it -- for the right price," said Steven Rayman, attorney for the trustee.

Details about the wine were disclosed Monday, the same day CyberNET creditors filled a courtroom to hear what is left of a Grand Rapids technology company that collapsed in November because of lavish spending and widespread fraud.

The tally so far: assets of roughly $4 million, mostly cash, and liabilities of $65 million -- and growing.

"The losses here are going to be huge," Rayman said after the first meeting of creditors.

Most claims, however, will come from lenders that supplied millions to CyberNET to buy high-tech equipment that did not exist.

From November 2003 to October 2004, CyberNET got financing for 1,400 computer servers but bought very few, said Dan Yeomans, of Management Services Realty, which analyzes distressed companies.

The money went through the bank account of a shell company, Teleservices, and was used "for the opulent offices and lifestyle of Barton Watson," Yeomans told creditors.

Federal authorities suspect fraud, money laundering and tax crimes at CyberNET. Watson, 44, fatally shot himself in his Ada home in November, a week after agents raided the company at 25 S. Division Ave.

Under questioning by Rayman, Yeomans agreed Watson, his wife, Krista Kotlarz-Watson and another executive, James Horton, committed fraud.

Because of the separate criminal investigation, Kotlarz-Watson, Horton and CyberNET financial officer David Roepke declined to attend the bankruptcy meeting.

Annual gross revenue was $10 million to $12 million. CyberNET ran Web sites for customers and performed other high-tech services.

CyberNET "wanted to appear as a much larger organization to entice lenders to lend more money," Yeomans said.

An auction in Bankruptcy Court is likely next month, with bids for the collection starting at $31,000.

"These are high-quality wines. He had great taste," said John Russo, of G.B. Russo &Son International Grocery, after reading the list.

In the hours before his suicide, Watson spoke of his fondness for expensive wine. He called a Kent County sheriff's dispatcher to tell authorities he planned to shoot himself, then bragged about his assets, including the $700 bottle of La Tache, vintage 1997, he claimed to be drinking at the time.

During the lengthy 911 call, he lectured the dispatcher about what made a good wine and laughed at the man's admission that a $12 bottle probably was the best he ever had.

Unfortunately for creditors, CyberNET's art collection is not valuable. The art could easily be found at retail stores, but they "seem to be nicely framed," Rayman said.

Irwin Financial, Columbus, Indiana declared that its non-performing assets declined approximately 37 percent in this segment to $4 million, principally as a result of the charge-off of the bulk of our exposure to NorVergence-related credits, an exposure that was discussed in Irwin Financial's September 30, 2004, Form 10-Q.

Despite the write-off, Irwin Reported a 78% Increase in Commercial Finance Unit Net Income, which earned $1.1 million in the fourth quarter, even with results in the third quarter. Net income for the year totaled $3.2 million, a 78% increase from the $1.8 million earned in 2003.

Loan and lease fundings reached a new quarterly high of $115 million. The loan and lease portfolio in this segment now totals $625 million, a $65 million increase from September 30.

The Attorney General of Florida has entered into two settlement agreements, one with Wells Fargo Financial Leasing, Inc. and the other with Lyon Financial Services, Inc. d/b/a U.S. Bancorp Business Equipment Finance Group.

The terms are substantially identical and apply only to ex-Norvergence customers existing or doing business in Florida.

Under the terms of these settlements, the customer must make all payments due on the Matrix device rental agreement through January 31, 2005. A notice of the settlement offer will be mailed to each affected customer, who will have 30 days from receipt to accept the offer and 30 days from acceptance of the offer to bring lease payments current as of January 31, 2005. Any late fees or penalties charged after July 15, 2004 will be forgiven and, if collected, will be credited to the customer.

Patriot was the first to settle, their attorney stating it was less expensive to defend the small number of leases.

The 12 leasing companies that the Attorney General originally named in October, 2004: Wells Fargo, Commerce Commercial Leasing, LLC, Court Square Leasing Corporation, Dolphin Capital Corporation, IFC Credit Corporation, National City Commercial Capital Corporation (formerly known as Information Leasing Corporation), Irwin Business Finance, Liberty Bank Leasing, Patriot Leasing Co. Inc., Popular Leasing U.S.A., Inc., Preferred Leasing, LLC and Sterling National Bank.

Reportedly one leasing company located in Florida, RG-Crown Leasing, was not named in the law suit. Allegedly they do have NorVergence leases. A spokesman informed Leasing News that they believe the suit only involves leasing companies headquartered elsewhere. R-G Crown Bank Leasing is a division of R-G Crown Bank, a Central Florida based Federal Savings Bank with over $1 billion in assets

Middle Market Sales Rep.: exp. sales reps throughout country for middle market leasing/financing. Must have min.5-years exp. in “hard assets” ranging from 100K -$1.0MM generated from vendor and /or direct sources. Excel. benefits, base salary and commission program. Resumes to amandell@eqcorp.com .

About the Company: A rapidly expanding Middle Market Leasing / Finance Company located in CT. Equilease Financial Services, Inc

Business Channel Manager / National Sales Manager/ Small Ticket Leasing Sales People

Willow Grove Bancorp and Chester Valley Bancorp have signed a definitive agreement to merge their companies and their subsidiary banks, Willow Grove Bank and First Financial Bank. The merger will create the fifth-largest banking institution headquartered in Southeastern Pennsylvania, with more than $1.5 billion of assets and a network of 27 branches throughout the region. The combined bank will offer retail and commercial banking products, real estate services, commercial and consumer lending, leasing, and wealth- management, trust and brokerage operations. The banks will retain their existing names and operate as divisions of the new bank.

The new combined entity will have an expanded product offering, increased legal lending limits, and extensive cross-selling opportunities, including marketing of Chester Valley's wealth-management practice, the Philadelphia Corp. for Investment Services, throughout the Willow Grove branch network.

"A key component of this merger was our ability to secure Donna M. Coughey, the current president and CEO of Chester Valley, to serve as president and CEO of the combined company," said Frederick A. Marcell Jr., president and CEO of Willow Grove. Marcell, who previously announced he will retire in 2005, will remain a member of the combined bank's Board of Directors.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Chester Valley will merge with and into Willow Grove and First Financial Bank will merge with and into Willow Grove Bank, with each bank operating as a division of the resulting bank. The combined company will have a 17-member board, with 10 drawn from the Willow Grove board and seven from the Chester Valley board. All branch offices from each bank are expected to remain open, as are the offices of the Philadelphia Corp. for Investment Services, a full-service investment advisory and securities brokerage firm currently owned and operated by Chester Valley.

DALLAS——ORIX USA Corporation has announced an expansion of its corporate finance capabilities through the formation of the Corporate Finance Group, which provides a variety of credit products and creative financing solutions to corporate customers in specific market segments.

“Through a unified approach, ORIX USA's Corporate Finance Group can more effectively address the credit needs of our private; middle market; and larger, public corporate customers with a variety of products, and at all stages of a company's growth cycle,” said Chris Smith, managing director. “While the target markets and credit products are diverse, our approach is a consistent one – to provide clients with creative and customized financial solutions.”

ORIX's Corporate Finance Group has organized its businesses around specific credit products and target markets as follows:

* Leveraged Finance provides credit to middle market and private companies and their investors, with credit facilities of $5 to $50 million for acquisitions, management buyouts, recapitalizations, and other needs. In addition to the private equity sponsor community, Leveraged Finance also works directly with closely held companies and their advisors.

* Mezzanine Finance works in partnership with Leveraged Finance to provision unsecured or subordinated capital in transactions ranging from $5 to $25 million.

* Structured Finance provides highly structured equipment leases and loans to middle market and larger corporate customers in a broad range of capital intensive industries, as well as specialty finance credit products to privately held, middle market companies in the broadcasting, gaming and entertainment industries.

* Venture Finance serves mid- and late-stage venture capital-backed companies seeking financing for growth, acquisitions, and other needs through its offices in Silicon Valley, New York and Hartford, Conn. Transaction sizes typically range from $5 to $30 million.

* Capital Markets participates in a broad range of investment activities in the public, non-investment grade bond and loan markets, including the asset-backed and distressed debt securities markets.

ORIX USA Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of ORIX Corporation, Japan's leading diversified financial services provider. To learn more about Corporate Finance's capabilities, view recent transactions, and obtain contact information for each line of business, visit our Web site at www.orix.com.

CONTACT:
Chris Smith
ORIX Corporate Finance Group
Phone Number: 214-237-2300
Fax Number: 214-237-2357
E-mail: cfg@orix.com

Credit.net Site Introduces New RECOMMENDED CREDIT LIMIT Guidelines on Millions of Business Credit Reports

OMAHA, Neb.-----infoUSA(R) (Nasdaq:IUSA), the leading provider of proprietary business and consumer databases, sales leads and business credit reports, today announced that it's site, www.credit.net is introducing a new proprietary RECOMMENDED CREDIT LIMIT Guideline for all 14 million businesses in its database. The credit limits will be included in each of its Business Credit Reports, and will be complimentary to customers who subscribe to the company's Unlimited Credit Reports for an affordable $75 per month.

Each Business Credit Report contains essential data for 14 million businesses, including number of years in business, credit rating, management directory, sales volume, number of employees, lines of business, competitors, phone, fax and web site address, corporate linkages and bankruptcy, lien and judgment information. The recommended credit limit feature makes these reports even more valuable as a tool for assisting in low risk credit and collection efforts, as well as for business verification, due diligence and sales prospecting. The site also allows businesses to generate and update an online Credit Application that they can send to suppliers, banks and leasing companies. The RECOMMENDED CREDIT LIMIT will be very valuable in helping the recipients of such reports pre-screen and validate any information on these applicants.

Vin Gupta, Chairman and CEO, infoUSA, commented, "Why pay competitors $30 apiece for modeled credit reports, when infoUSA can offer the same credit guidelines on an unlimited basis? The new RECOMMENDED CREDIT LIMIT adds an important and quantifiable dimension to our Business Credit Reports, providing an extra margin of safety when evaluating all customers and prospects. Our reports are perfect as an affordable tool for assisting in low risk, small dollar amount credit decisions."

infoUSA (www.infoUSA.com), founded in 1972, is the leading provider of business and consumer information products, database marketing services, data processing services and sales and marketing solutions. Content is the essential ingredient in every marketing program, and infoUSA has the most comprehensive data in the industry, and is the only company to own a proprietary database of 250 million consumers and 14 million businesses under one roof. The infoUSA database powers the directory services of the top Internet traffic-generating sites, including Yahoo! (Nasdaq:YHOO - news) and America Online (NYSE:TWX). Nearly 3 million customers use infoUSA's products and services to find new customers, grow their sales, and for other direct marketing, telemarketing, customer analysis and credit reference purposes. infoUSA headquarters are located at 5711 S. 86th Circle, Omaha, NE 68127 and can be contacted at (402) 593-4500.

infoUSA, Omaha Vin Gupta, 402-596-8900 Fax: 402-339-0265 E-Mail: vin.gupta@infoUSA.com or Laurel Gupta, 402-593-4535 Fax: 402-339-0265 E-Mail: laurel.gupta@infousa.com

GE Healthcare Financial Services Achieves Double-Digit Growth in 2004; Corporate Finance and Real Estate Teams Each Report 100 Percent Growth in Volume

CHICAGO------Since entering the healthcare finance arena, GE Healthcare Financial Services, a business unit of GE Commercial Finance, has quickly become known as an industry leader, generating more than $5.9 billion in new business volume in 2004 -- an increase of 16% over last year -- and investing over $13 billion in the industry.

"During the past few years of this difficult market when a lot of other lenders were sitting on the sidelines, Healthcare Financial Services continued to help our customers grow," said Jeff Malehorn, president and CEO for GE Healthcare Financial Services. "This strategy, coupled with our commitment to the industry and our healthcare expertise, has strongly contributed to our own growth -- particularly in the hospital, long-term care, medical office and medical supplier segments -- and will enable us to help our customers take advantage of the financing opportunities that rest ahead."

The corporate finance unit of GE Healthcare Financial Services has long delivered strong growth, rising in the league table ranks from #17 for total dollars invested in the healthcare industry in 2000 to #2 in 2004. During this time, the unit has also grown its customer portfolio twelve-fold -- financing more than $860 million in loans in 2004, a 26% increase over the previous year.

This surge in financing was due, in large part, to the industry's recent reimbursement and economic stability that has promoted increased M&A activity, leveraged dividends and re-financings. In 2004, acquisition financing alone accounted for over $400 million of GE Healthcare Financial Services' transactions.

Equally strong was Healthcare Financial Services' growth in the long-term care segment. In 2004, HFS invested over $1.2 billion in the senior housing and skilled nursing segments, nearly doubling the capital this unit committed to the segment the prior year. Transactions of particular note include: $200 million senior secured loan to Atria Senior Living Group, $200 million long-term fixed rate first-mortgage to Formation Capital LLC, and $150 million senior secured revolver to Harborside Healthcare Corporation.

The medical properties real estate unit also doubled its volume -- committing and arranging approximately $300 million in financing for several leading medical office building developers and related hospital systems.

"I'm very pleased with the positioning and momentum we have established in the marketplace," said Malehorn. "As we continue to grow, no one is better positioned than GE Healthcare Financial Services to capitalize on the opportunities present in the healthcare industry and create tailored financial solutions to help our customers improve their productivity and profitability."

-- Through its 2004 acquisition of HPSC, the business expanded its service offerings to physician and dental practices and grew its domestic business over 20%.

-- The business' vendor finance team, which provides global sales financing capabilities to medical equipment suppliers worldwide, grew its financing volume to over $600 million and established strategic relationships with several leading healthcare manufacturers such as Kodak Health Imaging, PENTAX Medical Company and Welch Allyn.

-- The transition of GE's life science finance business into Healthcare Financial Services also strengthened the company's industry presence, generating more than $170 million in volume and providing a strong platform to pursue growth opportunities in the life science and biotech markets.

-- Globally, Healthcare Financial Services expanded its operations into 28 countries worldwide, including the establishment of new equipment financing platforms in Italy and China. The business' international presence is expected to increase even more in 2005 and serve as one of the greatest areas of strategic growth over the next three years.

GE Healthcare Financial Services, a business unit of GE Commercial Finance, is the premier provider of capital, financial solutions and related services for the global healthcare market. With over $13 billion in assets, GE Healthcare Financial Services offers a full range of financing capabilities from equipment leasing and real estate financing to working capital lending, vendor programs and acquisition financing. With a dedicated focus and a deep knowledge of the healthcare industry, GE Healthcare Financial Services collaborates with customers to create tailored financial solutions that help them improve their productivity and profitability. For more information, visit www.gehealthcarefinance.com.

GE Healthcare Financial Services Deia Campanelli, 773-297-0482 deia.campanelli@ge.com

Keara Albert-Dolan to the position of Regional Sales and Account Development Manager

New York, NY, -- Group Financial Services, a leading originator of Medical leases and loans, has announced the promotion of Keara Albert-Dolan to the position of Regional Sales and Account Development Manager. Keara will continue to work for Group Financial out of their Park Ave South office in New York City.

Keara brings more than 8 years of direct health care leasing experience to the table. Prior to Group Financial Services Keara worked for Stratford Leasing Group where she managed business development in the Construction Market.

Greg Einhorn, Director of Sales and Marketing of Group Financial Services related, “We are delighted to promote Keara to greater responsibilities within GFS. The new position will allow Keara to better leverage her talents with the growing GFS sales force and support the strategic business goals of Group Financial Services.”

Group Financial Services is a Nationwide, 28-year-old business focused in providing leasing and financing products and services to the health care vendor and direct marketplace. The firm provides outsourced solutions as an in-house finance arm for a variety of medical dealers, associations and manufacturers as well as a strong direct presence in targeted markets. The firm has originated over $700 million in medical leases and loans and is targeted to fund in excess of $125 million this next year. Group Financial Services has offices in Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, New Jersey and opening Atlanta, GA and Orlando, FL in 2005. For more information, contact Greg Einhorn at 1-800-336-8562 or visit their web site at www.finservices.com/gfs

Advanta Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2004 Earnings; 2004 Advanta Business Cards Net Income Increased 33%

SPRING HOUSE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)----Advanta Corp. (NASDAQ:ADVNB;ADVNA) today reported net income for Advanta Business Cards of $13.2 million for fourth quarter and $46.0 million for full year 2004. This compares to $11.6 million for fourth quarter 2003 and $34.6 million for full year 2003.

"The increased profitability of Advanta Business Cards in 2004 reflects our continued success in attracting and retaining high credit quality customers and building strong relationships with these customers through the services we offer," said Dennis Alter, Chairman and CEO. "The benefits of our strategy are evident in the asset quality of our portfolio, which ended the year with the best metrics that we have reported since we began focusing exclusively on the small business credit card market."

Advanta reported consolidated net income for fourth quarter 2004 of $13.7 million or $0.48 per diluted share for Class A and Class B shares combined as compared to consolidated net income of $11.2 million or $0.44 per combined diluted share for fourth quarter 2003. Consolidated net income for fourth quarter 2004 includes a $0.01 per diluted share asset valuation gain associated with the Company's venture capital portfolio and a $0.01 per diluted share net gain on discontinued operations.

On a full year basis, Advanta reported consolidated net income of $44.7 million or $1.62 per combined diluted share as compared to $28.2 million or $1.13 per combined diluted share for 2003. Consolidated net income for 2004 includes a $0.03 per diluted share asset valuation charge associated with the Company's venture capital portfolio, a $0.02 per diluted share charge associated with the closure of the Company's New York venture capital office in the first quarter of 2004 and a $0.02 per diluted share net gain on discontinued operations. Consolidated net income for 2003 includes a $0.09 per diluted share asset valuation charge associated with the Company's venture capital portfolio and an $0.08 per diluted share net loss on discontinued operations.

Advanta Business Card results for fourth quarter 2004 reflect a 127 basis point decline in net principal charge-offs on managed receivables to 6.04% on an annualized basis as compared to 7.31% for fourth quarter 2003. Over 30 day delinquencies on managed receivables declined 170 basis points to 4.12% and over 90 day delinquencies on managed receivables decreased 94 basis points to 1.99%, each as compared to fourth quarter 2003. Business Cards ended the quarter with managed receivables of $3.3 billion as compared to $3.0 billion at December 31, 2003. Net principal charge-offs on owned receivables decreased 90 basis points to 5.94% on an annualized basis for fourth quarter 2004 as compared to 6.84% for fourth quarter 2003. Over 30 day delinquencies on owned receivables declined 101 basis points to 3.87% and over 90 day delinquencies on owned receivables decreased 58 basis points to 1.87%, each as compared to fourth quarter 2003. Owned Business Card receivables were $730 million at December 31, 2004 as compared to $518 million at December 31, 2003.

“...we have also purchased appropriately priced non-performing loans and leases. At December 31, 2004, we held loans and leases with net investment balances of $21.2 million which were non-performing when acquired, compared to $9.4 million at December 31, 2003...”

BOSTON-----Capital Crossing Bank (NASDAQ:CAPX) (together with its subsidiaries, the "Bank") reported consolidated net income of $17.8 million, or $2.31 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to consolidated net income of $20.1 million, or $2.53 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2003.

"We are pleased to report another strong year at Capital Crossing Bank," noted Nicholas W. Lazares, the Bank's Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer. "As we have previously noted, a significant portion of our earnings arises from the recognition of 'transactional' income. In 2004, we recognized $35.0 million of transactional income, compared to 2003 when we recognized $44.5 million of transactional income. The most volatile component of our transactional income is gain on sales of loans and leases. During 2004, we sold loans at a gain of $3.1 million, while during 2003, we sold loans at a gain of $19.3 million."

The Bank reported consolidated net income of $3.9 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2004, compared to consolidated net income of $3.5 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the same period in 2003. Total transactional income for the three months ended December 31, 2004 amounted to $10.7 million, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2003 when the Bank recognized $9.8 million of transactional income.

Mr. Lazares, explained that, "We continue to focus on our business of acquiring and managing loans. The volume of our loan acquisitions can be unpredictable from quarter-to-quarter and from year-to-year. During the fourth quarter of 2004, we purchased loans with outstanding principal balances of $90.8 million for a purchase price of $79.9 million, compared to the same period in 2003 when we purchased loans with outstanding principal balances of $163.3 million for a purchase price of $121.6 million. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we purchased loans with outstanding principal balances of $294.8 million for a purchase price of $263.4 million, compared to 2003 when we purchased loans with outstanding principal balances of $422.7 million for a purchase price of $289.2 million."

Mr. Lazares continued, "In 2004, we continued to effectively utilize our capital and increase our earning assets. Included in our loan acquisitions this year were $114.5 million of high quality residential loans that were acquired at a price of $113.0 million. Additionally, we purchased government agency obligations resulting in a $54.5 million increase in the balance of securities available for sale from December 31, 2003 to 2004."

Mr. Wayne, the Bank's President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, explained that, "While a substantial majority of the loans and leases we have acquired in recent years have been performing, we have also purchased appropriately priced non-performing loans and leases. At December 31, 2004, we held loans and leases with net investment balances of $21.2 million which were non-performing when acquired, compared to $9.4 million at December 31, 2003. Our purchase of these non-performing assets was a significant factor contributing to the increase in the total net investment balance of our non-performing assets from $18.0 million at December 31, 2003 to $39.7 million at December 31, 2004. Additionally, the balance of other real estate owned increased from $1.9 million at December 31, 2003 to $7.6 million at December 31, 2004. The primary source of other real estate owned is purchased loans that are or become non-performing. In the past, our pricing strategy and the level of discount we obtain on such loans and leases has enabled us to, over time, realize significant levels of transactional income from these assets."

Mr. Wayne continued, "In addition to our loan acquisition business, the Bank's leasing subsidiary, Dolphin Capital Corp., has been developing new business relationships, building on existing relationships and continuing to evaluate lease portfolio acquisitions. During 2004, Dolphin originated and acquired a total of $57.2 million of leases compared to $43.7 million in 2003. Dolphin purchased leases with a net value of $8.3 million and originated leases with an aggregate investment balance of $48.9 million in 2004, compared to 2003, when it purchased leases with a net value of $2.3 million and originated leases with an aggregate investment balance of $41.4 million. Dolphin Capital's net income was $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to $3.4 million in 2003."

In the fourth quarter of 2004, the Bank also continued to repurchase shares of its common stock under its common stock repurchase program. On November 30, 2004, the Bank announced that it had increased the amount of the repurchase program by $10.0 million. As of December 31, 2004, the Bank had repurchased 5,997,618 shares under the current repurchase program and previous repurchase programs and had an additional $9.1 million to spend under the current program.

Capital Crossing Bank Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer Nicholas W. Lazares, 617-880-1000 or President and Co-Chief Executive Officer Richard Wayne, 617-880-1000

(Irvine, CA) Balboa Capital announces the hiring of Rob Rasmussen as Chief Risk Officer. In this role, he is responsible for all risk management functions, including credit administration, documentation, and portfolio management.

Mr. Rasmussen comes to Balboa Capital most recently from American Express Business Finance where he served as their Director of Risk and Operations following roles with Tricon Capital Corporation and GE Capital. He brings extensive experience in developing, launching, and managing direct and vendor credit models. Mr. Rasmussen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from Cal State Fullerton and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

“Rob Rasmussen brings us valuable experience that will help us grow our portfolio and manage our risk.” said Patrick Byrne, Balboa Capital CEO. “Robert's experience will serve us well as we grow our small ticket, mid-ticket, vendor and broker channels.”

TCF's Board of Directors Designate Lynn A. Nagorske
to Succeed William A. Cooper as Chief Executive Officer

WAYZATA, Minn)----The Board of Directors of TCF Financial Corporation (TCF) (NYSE:TCB) today announced that they have designated Lynn A. Nagorske, President and Chief Operating Officer, to succeed William A. Cooper as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective January 1, 2006. Mr. Cooper will remain Chairman of the Board through 2008.

"This structure will benefit TCF in two ways; by retaining Bill Cooper and his innovative ideas as Chairman of the Board while turning over the CEO reins to an outstanding replacement, Lynn Nagorske," said Ralph Strangis, Director of TCF Financial Corporation.

A life long resident of Minnesota, Mr. Nagorske holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Minnesota State University--Mankato and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Prior to his career at TCF, Mr. Nagorske was employed at KPMG Peat Marwick for nine years, his last position was senior manager in the audit department.

Mr. Nagorske joined TCF in 1986 as Senior Vice President and Controller of TCF Bank, was named Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of TCF one year later, and in 1988 became Executive Vice President. Mr. Nagorske was promoted to President of TCF in 1993, and in 1995 was elected to the Board of Directors. He also served as President and CEO of TCF Bank Minnesota in 1997 and 1998, and has had line responsibilities in virtually every area of the bank over the last 19 years.

"It has been a great experience and an honor to work with Bill Cooper since coming to TCF. We have developed an excellent management team at TCF which will be my privilege to lead," said Lynn A. Nagorske, President and Chief Operating Officer. "My ongoing objective will be to continue the successful banking philosophies that we have established."

Mr. Cooper has agreed to a three-year contract to continue as Chairman of the Board that will begin January 2006 through 2008.

TCF is a Wayzata, Minnesota-based national financial holding company with $12.3 billion in assets. TCF has 430 banking offices in Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado and Indiana. Other TCF affiliates provide leasing and equipment finance, mortgage banking, securities brokerage, and investments and insurance sales.

TCF Financial Corporation, Wayzata Jason Korstange, 952-745-2755 www.tcfexpress.com

    1654-Jews flee to the New World: approximately 150 Jewish families of Portuguese background fled the city of Recife, in Pernambuco, Brazil. By September a number of these refugees had established the first community of Jews in the future United States.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jan26.html
    1695-Considered the first Workers' compensation agreement was made by Captain William Kidd of New York City, commander of the “Adventure Galley” of 787 tons burden. He promised to distribute to the crew one-fourth of all booty captured on privateering expeditions. According to the agreement, “ If any man should Loose a Leg or Arm in the said service, he should have six hundred pieces of Eight, or six able slaves; if any man should loose a joynt on the said service, he should have a hundred pieces of eight.”
    1776-The first US Army chaplain who was Catholic was the Reverend Louis Eustace Lotbiniere, appointed by General Benedict Arnold to act as chaplain to the regiment of Colonel James Livingston in the Continental Army.
    1784-In a letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin expressed his unhappiness over the choice of the eagle as the symbol of America. He preferred the turkey.
    1788-A shipload of convicts arrived briefly at Botany Bay, Australia, (which proved to be unsuitable) and then at Port Jackson (later the site of the city of Sydney). Establishment of an Australian prison colony was to relieve crowding of British prisons. A fleet of 11 ships lands in Port Jackson after sailing with the continent's first 1,030 English settlers, including 736 convicts. All told, England ships more than 160,000 men, women, & children in bondage to Australia in the largest forced exile of citizens by a European government in pre-modern history. Exiles landing today become known as the First Fleet. They are so unfit for survival in the new land that they live near starvation amid what is natural abundance to Aborigines. Most of the First Fleet convicts have never traveled more than 10 miles from their birth places. They saw the sea for the first time when they were clapped in irons & thrust onto the ships. All the convicts were transported for crimes against property. They include 70-year-old Elizabeth Beckford, who was exiled for stealing 12 pounds of Gloucester cheese. West-Indian Thomas Chaddick was sent to Australia after hunger drove him to steal cucumbers from a kitchen garden. Australia Day, formerly known as Foundation Day or Anniversary Day, has been observed since about 1817 and has been a public holiday since 1838. Observed Jan 26 if a Monday, otherwise on the first Monday thereafter .
    1831- Mary Mapes Dodge birthday: American writer edited St. Nicholas Magazine, one of the first periodicals for children. She is best known for her classic novel Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates (1865).
http://wwwa.search.eb.com/women/articles/
Dodge_Mary_Elizabeth_Mapes.html
    1837 -Michigan became the 26th state. Named Michigan after the American Indian word, Michigama, meaning great or large lake, Michigan borders four of the Great Lakes, and is divided into two peninsulas by the Straits of Mackinac that connect Lakes Michigan and Huron. The two peninsulas are recognized in the state motto: Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice . Michigan is nicknamed the Wolverine State and/or the Great Lake State . The state bird is the robin; the state flower: apple blossom; state tree: white pine; state fish: trout; state gem: Isle Royal Greenstone aka Chlorastrolite. This gemstone is the Petoskey stone. The state flag, which is blue charged with the arms of the state, waves over the state capital of Lansing.
( lower portion of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jan26.html )
    1838-The first alcohol prohibition law enacted by a state was passed by Tennessee. The bill, an “act to repeal all laws licensing tippling houses,” provided that “all person convicted of the offense of retailing spirituous liquors shall be fined at the discretion of the court” and that the fines and forfeitures be used for the support of common good.” It appears the law did not apply to wine or beer.
    1856 -- Leschi, chief of the Nisqually & Yakama Indians, leads 1,000 warriors in an attack on the town of Seattle. The attack is repulsed by naval forces in the harbor.
http://www.historylink.org/output.CFM?file_ID=1960
    1861-Louisiana becomes the sixth state to succeed from the union. One of the growing reasons for the secession was the admittance of Kansas to the Union, which officially occurred January 29,1861,which entered as a “free state.” On February 4 th , the Confederate States of American Leasing was formed at Montgomery Alabama with Jefferson Davis of Mississippi as president and Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia vice president. Both were chosen on February 9 th . The Confederate constitution specifically stated the reason for succession was to continue slavery, and on February 9 th the Confederate Provisional Congress asserted that all laws under the U.S. Constitution that were not inconsistent with the constitution of the Confederate states would be recognized. The main issue was the Confederate government wanted to continue the ownership of human beings ( Blacks were not the only race that were slaves or owned by others---in fact, during this period, there were many free Blacks who owned large plantations of both Creole and Black slaves. In Mississippi itself, there were many wealthy Black plantation owners.
    1863-54th Regiment (Black) infantry formed.
http://extlab1.entnem.ufl.edu/olustee/54th_MS_inf.html
http://www.afroammuseum.org/site1.htm
http://www.state.ma.us/statehouse/articles/54th_men.htm
http://www.54thmass.org/54hist.html
    1863 --General Joseph Hooker replaces Burnside as head of Army of Potomac.
http://www.civilwarhome.com/hookbio.htm
    1875-George F. Green, of Kalamazoo, MI, received a patent for “electro-magnetic dental tools” used for sawing, filing, dressing and polishing teeth. The patent was assigned to Samuel S. White of Philadelphia, PA. In practice, the engines were too heavy and the batteries too expensive for general use.
    1880-Douglas MacArthur, US general and supreme commander of Allied forces in Southwest Pacific during World War II. Born at Little Rock, AR, he served as commander of the Rainbow Division's 84th Infantry Brigade in World War I, leading it in the St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Sedan offensives. Remembered for his "I shall return" prediction when forced out of the Philippines by the Japanese during WW II, a promise he fulfilled. He later became involved in politics, and had set up a committee to run for president. Relieved of Far Eastern command by President Harry Truman on Apr 11, 1951, during the Korean War, after an incident regarding the landing of air craft and respect for the commander-in-chief. . MacArthur died at Washington, DC, Apr 5, 1964.
    1893-Bessie Coleman born at Atlanta, Texas: America's first celebrated Black female pilot Bessie Coleman. Because of her race and gender, she was denied admission to aviation school programs in the US. In Paris, she received an international pilot's license in 1921. Upon return, "Queen Bess" took part in numerous acrobatic air exhibitions where her daring stunt-flying won her many admirers. She perished in a plane crash during a practice session, at Jacksonville, Florida, April 30, 1926. Foul play was suspected due to both her race and gender.
    1907-Congress passed a prohibition on corporations from contributing to candidates' campaign funds in presidential and congressional races. An act passed on March 4, 1909, further prohibiting national banks and corporations from making financial contributions to campaign funds in connection with any election to any political office.
    1893-Birthday of violinist/Cajun music player Dennis McGee, Bayour Marron,LA He died in 1989.
http://www.cajunculture.com/People/mcgeedennis.htm
http://www.cajunfrenchmusic.org/biographies/mcgee-d.htm
http://www.yazoorecords.com/2012.htm
    1908-Jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli born Paris, France; died Nov, 1997.
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,437799,00.html?
artist=Stephane+Grappelli
http://www.cyberbites.com/marleys_ghost/grappelliobit.html
    1913-Jimmy Van Heusen was born Edward Chester Babcock at Syracuse, NY. He was a composer of many popular songs with his lyricist partners Johnny Burke and Sammy Cahn. One of his 76 songs that Frank Sinatra recorded was "My Kind of Town." Van Heusen won four Academy Awards for songs in movies such as Going My Way (1944). He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame when it was founded in 1971. Van Heusen died Feb 7, 1990, at Rancho Mirage, CA.
http://www.jimmyvanheusen.com/
    1913 - Jim Thorpe wrote the chairman of the Amateur Athletic Union revealing he had played professional baseball in 1909 and 1910. He voluntarily returned the two gold medals for the decathlon and pentathlon he won in the 1912 Olympic games in Stockholm, Sweden. Sixty years later, twenty years after his death, the AAU restored Thorpe's amateur standing and the Olympic medals.
    1915-Rocky Mountain National Park was established. Under President Woodrow Wilson, the area covering more than 1,000 square miles in Colorado became a national park.
    1918-Birthday of science fiction writer Philip Jose Farmer, born Peoria, IL.
http://www.pjfarmer.com/
    1924-Birthday of Calvin Ross(Cal)Abrams, baseball player born at Philadelphia, PA. Abrams played eight years in the major leagues and hit .269. He is most famous for this incident that I remember this day from when I was eight years old, for being thrown out at the plate by Richie Ashburn of the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth inning of the final game of the 1950 season, thereby depriving his team, the Brooklyn Dodgers, of a shot at the pennant. Died at Ft. Lauderdale, FL, January 26,1997.
    1925-Birthday of Paul Newman of “Newman's Own,” actor (Oscar for The Color of Money; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), director (Rachel, Rachel, The Glass Menagerie), born Cleveland, OH.
http://www.newmansown.com/
    1928-Birthday of vocalist Eartha Kitt, North, South Carolina.
http://search.eb.com/blackhistory/micro/722/33.html
http://www.earthakitt.com/
http://www.artsmart.co.za/music/archive/872.html
    1929-Jules Feiffer, cartoonist, writer, born New York, NY.
    1934 - the famous Apollo theatre in New York City's Harlem district opened as a showcase for black artists. The theatre had begun as an all-white music hall and burlesque house, and in the 1920's and early '30s was famous as Hurtig and Seamon's Burlesque. The Apollo's opening-night show featured Harlem showman Ralph Cooper, Aida Ward, Benny Carter and his orchestra and 16 dancers billed as "Gorgeous Hot-Steppers." For more than 50 years, the Apollo has been a launching pad for some of the century's greatest talent, including Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick. The Apollo Theatre was declared a cultural landmark in 1983, and two years later reopened as the Apollo Theatre Television Centre. There are still live shows, but the primary purpose of the centre is to produce these shows for TV.
    1934-Jimmy Lunceford Band records, “WhiteHeat,”
    1934-- '50's rock 'n' roller Huey (Piano) Smith was born in New Orleans. His playing incorporated the earlier boogie style of such pianists as Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson with the New Orleans rhythm-and-blues of Fats Domino. He and his band, the Clowns, had two million-sellers in 1957 - "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" and "Don't You Just Know It."
    1939 - Producer David O. Selznick began filming Gone With the Wind. Numerous problems with the script, several directors, and a soaring budget plagued the project. After he turned down the role of Rhett Butler, Gary Cooper remarked, "Gone With the Wind is going to be the biggest flop in the history of Hollywood. I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling flat on his face and not Gary Cooper".
    1942-The first American expeditionary force to land in Europe in World War II arrived in Ireland and was greeted by Sir Archibald Sinclair, the British air minister. The first officer to land was Major General Russell Peter Hartle. The first enlisted man to land was Private Milburn Henke of Hutchinson, MN.
    1944-Esquire All-Stars ( Armstrong, Eldridge, Teagarden, Hawkins) cut Basin St. Blues, Mop Mop for V-Disc._
    1945 - For $3 million, a syndicate headed by Dan Topping and Larry McPhail bought the New York Yankees baseball team.
    1946-Birthday of jazz author/researcher Lee Hildebrand, Williamsport, PA
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567996930/
inktomi-bkasin-20/ref%3Dnosim/104-4344982-0045565
http://www.villagevoice.com/specials/pazznjop/critic.php3?criticid=215
    1947 - On ABC radio, "The Greatest Story Ever Told" was first heard, making it the first radio series to portray Jesus Christ's voice.
    1948- President Truman decides to end segregation in the armed forces and the civil service through administrative action (executive order) rather than through legislation. He signs on July 26,1948: Executive Order 9981, to end segregation in US Armed Forces signed by President Harry Truman.
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/9981.htm
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/deseg1.htm
    1949-The first tape-recording machine for mass production of tapes was announced by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company(3M), St. Paul, MN. The machine tape 48 hours of recorded music in one hour.
    1951-The first Rabbi in the Reform movement who was a woman was Paula Ackerman of Meridian, MS, who was appointed to serve in the place of her late husband as rabbi of Temple Beth Israel.
    1951 - Elizabeth Taylor divorced her first husband, Nicky Hilton, on the grounds of mental cruelty. It was less than a year after their highly publicized wedding.
    1953 - Film actress, dancer, and sex symbol Rita Hayworth divorced Prince Aly Khan in Reno, Nevada on this date. Hayworth once said, "Every man I knew had fallen in love with Gilda and wakened with me," referring to her most successful film role in Gilda and her less-than-successful track record in marriage.
    1954---Top Hits
Stranger in Paradise - Tony Bennett
Oh! My Pa-Pa - Eddie Fisher
At the Darktown Strutters' Ball - Lou Monte
Bimbo - Jim Reeves
    1956 -- Martin Luther King, Jr. arrested for the first time for driving 30 mph in a 25mph zone; his home will be bombed on January 30 th .
http://www.holidays.net/mlk/rosa.htm
    1956 - Buddy Holly had his first of three recording sessions in 1956 for Decca Records in Nashville, Tennessee with Owne Bradley as producer. Nothing much came out of those sessions. He formed the group, The Three Tunes (changed later to The Crickets), and went on to find fame and fortune when he hooked up with producer Norman Petty in New Mexico. Holly died in a plane crash near Mason City, IA, February 3, 1959 (“the day the music died”). He was 22. Holly was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
    1958-Ellen DeGeneres, comedienne, actress ("Ellen"), born New Orleans, LA.
    1959 - "Alcoa Presents" was first seen on ABC-TV. Later, the show was renamed "One Step Beyond". It was based on "true events that are strange, frightening and unexplainable in terms of normal human experience."
    1960 - Burnsville, West Virginia beat Widen, West Virginia in basketball, 173-43. Danny Heater starred by getting in 135 points.
    1960 - Pete Rozelle was elected commissioner of the National Football League, a position he held for over 25 years.
    1961 - President John F. Kennedy chose Dr. Janet G. Travell (Mrs. John Powell) to be the first woman to hold the position of ‘personal physician to the President'.
    1961-Wayne Gretzy, former hockey player, Hockey Hall of Famer, born Brantford, Ontario, Canada.
    1962---Top Hits
The Twist - Chubby Checker
Peppermint Twist - Joey Dee & The Starliters
Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
Walk on By - Leroy Van Dyke
    1970 - NFL Commissioner, Pete Rozelle, the three major television networks, NBC, CBS and ABC, agreed to pay a total of $124,000,000 over four years to broadcast National Football League games. CBS carried the NFC games and NBC the AFC. ABC had the idea to broadcast, "Monday Night Football".
    1970---Top Hits
Raindrop Keep Fallin' on My Head - B.J. Thomas
Venus - The Shocking Blue
I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
Baby, Baby (I Know You're a Lady) - David Houston
    1978---Top Hits
Baby Come Back - Player
Here You Come Again - Dolly Parton
You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim) - Rod Stewart
What a Difference You've Made in My Life - Ronnie Milsap
    1978 - A paralyzing blizzard struck the Midwest. One to three feet of snow fell in Michigan, and 20 to 40 inches was reported across Indiana. Winds reached 70 mph in Michigan, and gusted above 100 mph in Ohio. The high winds produced snow drifts twenty feet high in Michigan and Indiana stranding thousands on the interstate highways. Temperatures in Ohio dropped from the 40s to near zero during the storm.
    1979 - The guitar synthesizer was first demonstrated.
    1979-“The Dukes of Hazzard” premiered on TV. This comedy/action show ran for seven seasons and featured car chases. Brothers Bo Kuke(John Schneider) and Luke Duke ( Tom Wopat) were the good guys, fighting crooked law enforcement in their rural southern community. Other characters included Daisy Duke (Catherine Bach), Uncle Jesse Duke(Denver Pyle), Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane (James Best), Deputy Enos Strate(Sonny Shroyer) and Boss Hogg ( Sorrell Books)
    1984- "Mike Hammer" re-appeared on TV. Mike Hammer was a gritty, urban detective created by writer Mickey Spillane, very popular in both hard back and pocket book “hard boiled dick” writer, considered still a classic, definitely ahead of his time. Originally a TV series in the 50s with Darren McGavin, CBS revived the series with Stacy Keach as the hard-boiled detective. Production was stopped while Keach was briefly imprisoned for a drug charge in 1984 but the series returned in 1986. Darrin McGavin, who most likely is best remembered as "Kochak", was the originally Mike Hammer on television and one of my favorite shows. As a teenager, I never missed it and consequently read all Spillane's books, along with Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Kenneth Millar aka Ross McDonald. Spillane is one of America's greatest authors and his works should be studied in colleges and universities as there are many levels and messages in his observations of good versus evil.
    1985 - With a 66-65 win, St. Johns University ended Georgetown's 29-game winning streak. Chris Mullin, now an NBA star, scored 20 points for St. Johns. Patrick Ewing, also an NBA star, lead Georgetown with 9 points, in this the Big East Conference basketball game.
    1986-Chicago Wins Super Bowl XX: In their first Super Bowl outing, the Chicago Bears romped over the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XX, 46-10. Chicago spotted the Patriots a 3-0 lead but then scored the next 44 points while holding New England to seven yards rushing.
    1986---Top Hits
That's What Friends are For - Dionne & Friends
Burning Heart - Survivor
Talk to Me - Stevie Nicks
Never Be You - Rosanne Cash
    1987 - Coca-Cola was officially named the #1 soft drink in the United States. Pepsi- Cola was at #2.
    1988 - The incoming hit musical from London, The Phantom of The Opera, set a Broadway record in advance sales of over $12 million before its grand opening on Broadway on this date. Phantom took in a record-setting amount of $920,272 in seventeen hours when tickets went on sale the previous November.
    1988 - A snowstorm in the northeastern U.S. produced 19 inches at Austerlitz NY and Stillwater NY. A storm in the Great Lakes Region left 16.5 inches at Marquette MI, for a total of 43 inches in six days.
    1992 - Super Bowl XXVI (at Minneapolis): Washington Redskins 37, Buffalo Bills 24. Washington led 37-10 before Buffalo scored a pair of TDs in the final six minutes. Bills' QB Jim Kelly threw the football a record 58 times (with 4 interceptions) in the losing effort. MVP: Redskins' QB Mark Rypien. Tickets: $150.00
http://images.nfl.com/history/images/0126.jpg
    1994—Top Hits
All For Love- Bryan Adams/Rod Stewart/Sting
Hero- Mariah Carey
Breathe Again- Toni Braxton
The Power Of Love- Celine Dion
    1997 - Super Bowl XXXI (at New Orleans): Green Bay 35, New England 21. A classic team effort: QB Brett Favre passed for two TDs and Desmond Howard (MVP) returned a kickoff 99 yards for a score as the Packers won their 12th NFL championship and the first since Super Bowl II in 1968. Tickets: $275.00.
    1998 - Compaq Computer Corp. and Digital Equipment Corp. announced plans to merge. In the largest computer biz acquisition to that time, the deal was worth $9.6 billion. March 20, 2002 the stock holders approved the company's merger with Hewlett-Packard.