Fort Myers, Florida
Very experienced and strong skills with both Captive and Specialty Sales and  Sales Management. Over 20 years, will relocate and travel- successful and team player . 
e-mail: tlinspections@gmail.com

Fresno, CA
Aggressive, competitive self-starter w/successful vendor/direct equipment
leasing and asset-based lending experience seeks return to leasing industry
after successful stint in business banking sales.
Email: dsp559@hotmail.com
Resume

Minneapolis, MN
16 years leasing experience from micro to large ticket market, variety of equipment. Most recently calling on vendor telecom dealers in Upper Midwest. 
golfadm@yahoo.com

Open
Many years of successful experience in niche leasing. Seek position with bank or other self-funded entity. Position and/or location secondary to company profile.
Email: David34983@comcast.net

Orange County, CA
19+ years of successful marketing to the broker/lessor community representing one funding source owned by several parent companies.
Email: oc49ersteve@sbcglobal.net

Oklahoma
Over 30 years of financing experience, resume posted at www.geocities.com/bobbybenmoore, phone 580-351-2531

Philadelphia, PA
Aggressive Sales Hunter with 10 plus years of story credit experience (B-D credit including start-ups) with a strong emphasis on building productive business relationships. saleshunter09@gmail.com

Pittsburgh, PA
Over 25 years of leasing experience including Captive, Dealer, Broker, and Third Party. Multiple equipment types. Seeking a Territory or National Sales position.
vsiegel2@aol.com

San Francisco
I am seeking a commission only structure w/established firm with a niche program / product.  30 years equipment leasing successful sales experience.
tbroman@comcast.net. 650-574-2873

San Francisco Bay Area:
Business Development “Hunter” with transferable book of business in multiple segments: commercial construction, technology, fitness, etc. Years of managerial experience: can also be a “player/coach”.
E-mail: VdrPgmBizDev@aol.com

SouthEast Award winning commercial leasing salesman, middle market Georgia , Alabama , Tennessee , and Florida in addition to originating leases nationally. 26 years experience. Resume

For a full listing of all "job wanted" ads, please go to:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm

To place a free "job wanted" Leasing News ad:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted-post.htm

ELFA Career Center: Job Seekers (free):
http://careers.elfaonline.org/search.cfm

[headlines]

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

LA Investor purchases almost $10 million Marin Leasing Stock

According to a recently filed SEC document, Marlin Business Services, Mount Laurel, New Jersey has sold to Red Mountain Capital Partners, LLC, Los Angeles, California.

"RMCP II has purchased an aggregate of 629,887 shares of Common Stock on the open market at an aggregate purchase price (excluding trading commissions and related administrative costs) of $9,727,971.97. The source of the funds used by RMCP II to purchase such shares was working capital of RMCP II.

RMCP III has purchased an aggregate of 24,241 shares of Common Stock on the open market at an aggregate purchase price (excluding trading commissions and related administrative costs) of $104,801.70. The source of the funds used by RMCP III to purchase such shares was working capital of RMCP III.

The shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by RMCP II and RMCP III, when aggregated together, total 654,128 shares, which represent approximately 5.2% of the outstanding Common Stock.

Last Trade: 4.10
Trade Time: 4:00pm ET
Change: Up 0.18 (4.59%)
Prev Close: 3.92
1y Target Est: 10.00
Day's Range: 4.10 - 4.39
52wk Range: 1.19 - 9.33
Volume: 25,883
Avg Vol (3m): 12,750
Market Cap: 47.82M

"Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC is a principal investment firm specializing in investments in small capitalization companies. The firm seeks to invest in public and private companies with a private equity approach. It prefers to acquire strategic or controlling stakes in public companies. The firm participates in negotiated private equity transactions on a selected basis. Red Mountain Capital Partners was founded by Mr. Willem Mesdag and is based in Los Angeles, California." Source: Business Week

"Mr. Mesdag is the president, sole executive officer, sole director and sole shareholder of RMCM and thus may be deemed to control RMCM and each entity directly or indirectly controlled by RMCM (including Red Mountain). The principal occupation of Mr. Mesdag is Managing Partner of Red Mountain. J. Christopher Teets (and his principal occupation) is Partner of Red Mountain. Mr. Teets does not control any Reporting Person. Information regarding Mr. Teets is being included in this Schedule 13D only for purposes of complying with General Instruction C to Schedule 13D." Source: SEC Filing

Mr. Mesdag has been a Partner of Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC, an investment firm, since January 2005. Mr. Mesdag also serves as a director of 3i Group plc, Encore Capital Group, Inc. and Davis Petroleum Corporation. Before establishing Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC, Mr. Mesdag was an investment banker at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Mr. Mesdag joined Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1981 and became a General Partner in 1990.
http://people.forbes.com/profile/willem-mesdag-j-d-/29637

Other Red Mountain Partner Investments:
http://www.marketvisual.com/d/Re/Red_Mountain_Capital_Partners_LLC_1e3a_1.htm

SEC Filings:
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Red%20Mountain%20Capital%20Partners.pdf
http://www.secinfo.com/$/SEC/Registrant.asp?CIK=1374588

[headlines]

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

Sheldon Player is back!!! This time $2 Million +

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/August%202008/08-21-08.htm#back

Sheldon Player of Equipment Acquisition Resources (EAR), Palatine, Illinois, promoter of Jackson Hole bottled water, who also served time for $79 million taken from Greyhound Leasing & Financial Corp., is back in the news again.

This time he is being sued along with several other named in Equipment Acquisition Resources, Inc. by Red Oak Acquisition in the United States District Court Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. It centers on a stock purchase agreement between Red Oak Acquisitions.

It states "Equipment Acquisition Resources is one of the world's largest supplies of lappers, polishers, slicers, grinders and dicing saws for crystalline material. It is a company that delivers second-market equipment to manufacture semiconductors. EAR is estimated to be worth approximately $200 million."

The complaint contents in 2008 Red Oak was to be sold to Equipment Acquisition Resources, and in the process of turning the company over per the agree, Equipment Acquisition Resources sold $2 million in receivables and did not complete the purchase. The original owners tried to halt the sale, claiming the receivables and other equipment were not be to sold until the final purchase of the company.

The complaints specifically says, "Red Oak Fund entered into the Agreement, met all conditions precedent and even advanced money to EART through a related company, Red Oak Capital. EAR, through Player, told Red Oak Fund that it had an unexpected decrease in cash flow that created problems...with various banks and/or lenders. Because Red Oak Fund believed that it had fully executed and binding contract with EART, Red Oak Capital (the related entity) agreed to advance $2 million that would be secured by certain of EAR's accounts receivables. Red Oak Fund also contracted various lenders to reassure them the EAR's cash flow problems would be short lived.

"Almost immediately after securing Red Oak Fund's signature on the Agreement, receiving the $2 million advance and obtaining the relief from it lenders, (the parties) and EART sought to terminate the Agreement. The Agreement, however, contains a very specific termination provision that indicates (the parties) and EAR cannot terminate the Agreement unless there is mutual written consent."

From EAR web site:

"E.A.R. Inc. is currently offering Direct Financing not only on Equipment Purchases, but also on our Process development and Contract Manufacturing. We are striving to make your business our top priority and will continue to meet our customers needs. Inquire about our Low cost Leasing/Financing Programs today!"

* To qualified buyers, we offer "0" percent financing and even negative rate financing where applicable.
* We also offer extensive maintenance programs to accompany
our equipment finance packages.
* We now offer worldwide shipping and packaging
for customers existing equipment as well as our own.
* We also offer worldwide rebuilding services of all existing customer equipment even if purchased elsewhere.

"We urge you to contact us right away about our new Process Development, Manufacturing and Finance services! Let Equipment Acquisition Resources Inc. help your business succeed!"
http://www.eartechnology.com/index.php?show_aux_page=3

Telephone calls and email to Mr. Player were not returned, as were emails to the attorneys for the Plaintiffs, Patton Boggs, LLP.

Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint (82 pages/3.1mb):
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/Red%20Oak%20Acquisition.pdf

Sheldon Player Previous Articles:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Sheldon_Player.htm

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

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

In Sales makes it Happen, Scott Wheeler answers those who criticized him for regarding questioning "application only" transactions.

Sales Make it Happen --- by Scott Wheeler With over twenty-six years of leasing experience and an Executive Masters in Business Administration, Scott is an accomplished senior leasing executive with leadership qualities in marketing and operations. His extensive experience will benefit organizations looking to reach a higher level of profitability and corporate development. A Necessary Transformation Our industry is being reformulated and redefined for the future; a necessary transformation which will create a stronger, more valuable financing/leasing industry. This statement along with my insinuation in a previous article that our industry is quickly moving beyond an application only mentality caused a record number of emails and phone calls. Thankfully most responders were in agreement. However, it was surprising that a number of individuals thought I was the fly in the ointment. One individual claimed I was the problem by encouraging funding sources to request more information and diminishing their credit windows. To be clear - I am not encouraging limitation of credit; I am suggesting and encouraging that credit underwriting become less restrictive as we move forward. As an industry we need consistency and transparency. As originators we need to know the game rules and what transactions can be funded and which ones have no home. I am equally convinced the credit departments in our industry deserve to have accurate, complete and updated information to make their decisions. This is a team effort which should be lead by the originators. Professional originators need to compile a complete credit package which is properly presented to the credit departments for an evaluation. Originators will lead the transformation by providing all of the needed information so that credit departments can neutralize their concerns and start to reformulate consistent credit windows. Unlike some of the responding emails, I am not suggesting a five page write up for every fifty thousand dollar request. I am not suggesting that a pretty package can eliminate the fact of financial losses for the past three years either. The credit package should reflect the size and complexity of the transaction. The transaction needs to make sense on all levels. (i.e. Why is a three person operation buying a hundred thousand dollar phone system with twenty-five handsets?). Originators need to have the capacity to understand the transactions, understand the financial statements, ask the right questions and discuss both strengths and weaknesses appropriately. I have learned there are multiple levels of understanding in our industry and many originators need a refresher course on information concerning: marketing, credit, funding and a variety of other issues. Most importantly, originators must understand the need for mutually beneficial relations with all of their business stakeholders, especially the ones holding the funds. This transformation is not new for our industry. The financing/leasing industry has danced to this music in the past. The music was almost as loud and unruly in the early 1990's, as it is today. Those originators who conquered the challenges of the past became leaders in our industry; they formulated new standards and promoted stronger products and better customer service. In order to succeed, individuals need to become engaged in the transformation, seek new knowledge, explore new markets, and assist in the innovation of our industry. Originators have an awesome opportunity to maximize their incomes and be influential in a stronger, more valuable financing/leasing industry. If you need assistance in becoming more engaged in the transformation or increasing your overall knowledge I encourage you to participate in outside training sessions. Depending upon your needs and expertise I can enriched your sales efforts through a variety of options: webinars, seminars, one-on-one coaching, on-site training, and multiple day training classes regarding all aspects of the financing/leasing industry. I encourage you to contact me with your desires to be part of the transformation, and together we can formulate a strategy for success. -------------------------------- Please let me know your thoughts, suggestions or ideas. scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com or 410-877-0428 . Sales Makes it Happen articles: http://www.leasingnews.org/Legacy/index.html

[headlines]

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

Classified Ads---Help Wanted

McKinney, Texas Lease Packager Ten years experience packaging/placing leases $10,000 to $500,000 jamespenny@cprofit.com/877-386-3716,ext.100 www.cprofit.com

Asset Remarketing Managers Proven Truck, Construction, Machine tool, Material Handling expertise. Manage, evaluate, value, remarket portfolio assets. Unlimited compensation. CLICK HERE for full description. Maria Lopez (203) 354-6090 or mlopez@eqfsdirect.com Equilease is a long established full-service leasing company that finances industrial and commercial equipment for vendors, manufacturers and end-users. www.eqfsdirect.com

VENDOR SALES SPECIALISTS LEASING SALES PROFESSIONALS Like selling vendor programs and large transactions? Enjoy international financing programs? Prefer the advantages of a commission only environment with the security of health and welfare benefits? CLICK HERE to find out how to have fun again.

[headlines]

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

May "The List"

--- Mergers, Acquisitions & Changes
"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"-

Marlin Business Services (05/09) Bulletin Board Complaint regarding "Evergreen Clause" on $1.00 buy-out; not notified 180 in advance, two years extra payments to date. (05/09) reports a first quarter revenue loss of $879,000 compared to a profit of $1,359,000 the first quarter of 2008. The company also announced it has closed its Denver office, plus has let additional 53 employees go; many of them have been with the company ten to eleven years. (05/09) Officers and directors received salary/stock issues despite 100 employees being let go, 2008 loss of $7.3 million, year ending loss of $5.2 million compared to a year-end profit of 2007 of $18.2 million
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202009/05-29-09.htm#bulletin_board

Sovereign Bank (05/09) joins "no more broker list."
http://www.leasingnews.org/Pages/Out-of-broker-bus.htm

Manifest Group (US Bancorp) (05/09) Major "realignments," Mike Rizzo laid off, not for performance, just bank cut-backs; lease division reports over 3% write-offs in lease portfolio, reportedly many problems, Navigator program no longer in place as Pentech shut down, rumors circulate bank may want to sell operation, reportedly more "re-alignment" to follow.

Heritage Pacific Leasing, Fresno, CA (05/09) HL Leasing owned by John Otto misses interest payments, investors call FBI, Otto commits suicide, and it appears a major Ponzi scam involving over 1,000 and perhaps $132 million on leases that allegedly never exiting, FBI investigates, Department of Corporation starts collecting complaints for Receiver, FBI starts seizing assets.

IFC Credit, Morton Grove, Illinois (05/09) Another Bulletin Board Complaint: vendor claims un-funded $25,731.43 lease that was to have been funded in January. IFC reportedly down to 25 employees.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202009/05-08-09.htm#bbc

Puget Leasing, Bellevue, WA (05/09) First Sound Bank restated its year-end to a $20.1 million loss. The bank claims $18.3 is related to the acquisition of Pugent Sound Leasing. The bank also reported a $37,000 first quarter loss for 2009, and an $11 million decrease in assets to $247 million.

Latitude Equipment Leasing LLC, Wayne, New Jersey (05/09) formed by ex-Advanta and Marlin Leasing veterans, announced the assumption of the sales and administration organization of Leasing Partners Capital Inc. This brings the company into 22 marketing branches

Greystone, Massachusetts (05/09) "New York pulled the plug" and effectively closed the Greystone Equipment Finance Corporation operation in Burlington, Massachusetts Thursday of last week, April 23rd, 2009.

Full List:

Chronological Order
http://www.leasingnews.org/list_chron_new.htm

Alphabetical Order
http://www.leasingnews.org/list_alpha_new.htm

[headlines]

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

[headlines]

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

25 Top Leasing Industry Influence-Winding Down

As noted on Monday, this may be the last week, so if you have someone you want to nominated, please submit with the reasons why in the description.

"Influential" as "a person whose actions and opinions strongly influence the course of events" {Online Dictionary}. They must be alive, and do not need to be active any longer in the leasing or finance industry.

Harvey Granat was nominated for the list and left out, he is active as an entertainer/singer, has a web site listing his coming performances, and here is a sample from his web site:
http://harveygranatsings.com/?page=performances

Send nominations to: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

New nominees to appear in the next list:

Hon. Ken Bentsen, Jr.-He became president of the Equipment Finance and Leasing Associations (ELFA) July 1, 2007, following in the footsteps of Mike Fleming, CAE, he held the post for 27 years. In this relatively short period of time, he has brought considerable attention to the media about the leasing industry, quoted often in major magazines and newspapers, appearing on radio and television, quite frequently, too. In addition to the attention he gets in congress, actually appearing at signing of bills by President Bush, he has become the number one leader of equipment finance and leasing in the United States to not only the news media but general public as well. ELFA also has many new programs, up-dating old ones such as the web site and now daily News Briefs, as wells as continuing perhaps Mike Flemings greatest asset, getting members involved. On the personal side, Ken Bentsen is also an active member of a number of educational, civic and charitable boards. He serves as Chairman of the Board of the Susan G. Komen For The Cure.
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/May%202007/05-11-07.htm#eaelc

Shawn Halladay---He has influenced our industry quietly from an academic and educational angle. He has authored or co-authored eight books on equipment leasing, including "A Guide to Equipment Leasing," "An Introduction to Leasing" and "The Handbook of Equipment Leasing." He has written articles for the Equipment Finance and Leasing Association, Equipment Finance and Leasing Foundation, Leasing News, the Monitor, World Leasing News and many associations and lessors throughout the North America, South America, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. He is an authority on lease accounting as well as both the intellectual and practical aspects of the world wide leasing industry.
http://www.thealtagroup.com/north-america/about/shawn-d.-halladay

List (click on name for full description:)

[headlines]

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

Lobbying by ELFA got equipment makers included in TALF

ELFA Smart Briefs
www.smartbrief.com

When the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. declined to cover equipment manufacturers in an insurance program aimed at banks, ELFA lobbied the Federal Reserve to expand the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility to cover farm and other equipment manufacturers. Deere, Caterpillar and other equipment makers benefited when the program was expanded as a result of efforts by ELFA President Kenneth Bentsen.

Wall Street Journal Article http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124501974568613573.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

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

Tuesday, June 23-Steve Geller/Linda Kester

National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers presents
Speaker/Author Linda P. Kester

Linda Kester helps leasing companies obtain more volume.

hosted by
Steve Geller, CLP

Tuesday, June 23, 2009
12:00 NOON - 2:30 PM
Assembly Steakhouse
495 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07832
$46 NAELB Member
$56 Non-Member
Steve Geller (845) 362-6106

For more information about Linda Kester, please visit www.lindakester.com

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

Crab Feast: Continuing the Baltimore Tradition
by Scott Wheeler

The National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) held its first annual Baltimore Crab Feast on June 11, 2009. Many years ago a small group of Baltimore leasing professionals started meeting annually to share their thoughts about the local state of the leasing environment and to eat Maryland steamed crabs with a cold beer. Approximately thirteen years ago this tradition was passed onto the Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors EAEL (EAEL) through Dennis Horner; the crab feast continued to grow in numbers each year. With the merger of EAEL and the United Association of Equipment Lessors (UAEL) in January of 2009, this tradition was destined to flourish and grow.

The Baltimore Crab Feast, a regional event on the NEFA calendar was hosted by Nancy Pistorio of Madison Capital, Bruce Winter of FSG Leasing Corp and yours truly, Scott Wheeler of Wheeler Business Consulting. The event attracted sixty-seven leasing professionals from around the country with the vast majority of attendees from the Mid- Atlantic area. Local individuals have been known to plan vacations around this event, and the calls started coming in as early as January to confirm the date and location of the event. This year the event was held at Bo Brooks in the Fells Point historic area of the Baltimore Harbor and the food, drink and company was superb. Many of out-of-towners still cannot believe that Baltimoreans enjoy picking these messy crustaceans while talking about business transactions and networking with fellow leasing professionals.

The truth be told - this evening of networking is one of the best on the leasing calendar. There are always new business relationships established and old relationships confirmed. This event emphasized the need for grass roots local events throughout the industry and nationwide. I would encourage other leasing professionals to attend regional events whenever possible. These events are quick, inexpensive and very powerful networking opportunities.

The mood at the event was generally upbeat and cautiously optimistic. The challenges of the day were in the forefront of most conversations. Leasing professionals are actively funding transactions, repositioning their businesses, building new relationships and generally moving forward optimistically.

I would encourage individuals to register now for the NEFA Fall conference in Monterey, CA. September 24-27. Mark your calendars for all upcoming NEFA regional events; and for those on the east coast we encourage you to attend the Super Regional event in Teaneck NJ (EXPO) on November 9, 2009.

[headlines]

CHARTER CAPITAL Announces a New Joint Venture with PHOENIX FINANCIAL EQUIPMENT LEASING, INC.

Scottsdale, AZ -
Charter Capital is pleased to announce the formation of a joint venture with Phoenix Financial Equipment Leasing, Inc. of Phoenix, AZ. The companies will combine talent and resources to provide small to mid-sized businesses locally and nationally with a broad range of customized financial solutions for their equipment and technology acquisition needs.

"It has been a pleasure working with Lindsay Clancy and Nick Couturier for the past two and a half years and I am delighted that we were able to make our relationship with Phoenix Financial more formal and more permanent. Charter's principal asset has always been its people and I expect Lindsay and Nick's energetic enthusiasm will be a very positive addition to the Charter family" said Rick Wilbur, founder and Managing Partner of Charter Capital.

"Lindsay and I are truly blessed to be working with Charter Capital. From the very first day that we met, the Charter team has done everything they could to help us grow both professionally and personally. We look forward to building a closer partnership and are eager to see what we will accomplish together in the future.", said Nick Couturier, president of Phoenix Financial Equipment Leasing, Inc.

On June 29, 2009 both firms will move into Charter Capital's new quarters located at Scottsdale Executive Office Park, 7975 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ. Charter will maintain its office in California. Phone numbers and email addresses will remain the same.

About CHARTER CAPITAL
With offices in California since 1977 and in Arizona since 1995, Charter provides intelligent and creative financing for small to mid-sized businesses for equipment and technology acquisitions ranging from $25,000 to $2,000,000.

About PHOENIX FINANCIAL EQUIPMENT LEASING, INC.
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Phoenix Financial is quickly becoming one of the leading providers for financial solutions to local and national business owners. Formed on a foundation of honesty, integrity, and ethical business practices we provide a distinctive and personalized approach to solving our client's equipment financing needs. Nick Couturier

Nick Couturier is the founding member of Phoenix Financial Equipment Leasing, Inc. He has over 7 years experience in the leasing and financing industry and continues to build on that foundation through dedication and hard work. Originally from Chico, California, Nick came to Arizona in the fall of 1997 to attend Arizona State University. He graduated with a degree in finance and immediately entered the business world of equipment leasing. Nick says that he enjoys the financial industry because he can help business owners build and expand their companies.

"To be part of helping a company grow and succeed is very exciting and rewarding."
Lindsay Clancy

Lindsay Clancy is a co-founder of Phoenix Financial Equipment Leasing, Inc. Originally from Cave Creek, AZ Lindsay graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in business and communications. She has been in the financing and equipment leasing industry for 5 years and has combined her knowledge and business experience into building strong customer relationships. Lindsay's main focus is her dedication to her clients and to consistently deliver positive and professional service.

CONTACT:
Greg Reeve
General Manager
Charter Capital
greg@charteraz.com
www.charteraz.com
(480) 874-5403

Nick Couturier
President
Phoenix Financial Equipment Leasing, Inc. Nick@PhoenixFin.com
www.PhoenixFin.com
(602) 788-0578

[headlines]

Increase in Oregon's Jobless Rate Causes

LibertyBank Small Business Index to Rise in May

Eugene, Ore. - The Oregon unemployment rate was 12.4 percent in May, up from April's revised rate of 11.8 percent. Since the state's unemployment rate is the most heavily weighted component of LibertyBank's Small Business Index (SBI) for Oregon, the SBI registered 82.1 in May, up from a revised 79.4 in April.

The state's unemployment rate is more than double the 5.7 percent rate of a year ago. A higher jobless rate is a positive contributor to the index as it suggests greater access to labor for small businesses. Total employment statewide fell by 92,400 jobs during the past 12 months, a slight improvement versus an even greater loss of 95,900 jobs in April's year-over-year period. In addition, rising expectations that the global economy will rebound during the next six to 12 months are a favorable development for thousands of small businesses throughout Oregon.

"Despite continued weakness in the state's employment situation, more and more signs are emerging that the worst of the current recession is behind us," says Jeff Thredgold, economic consultant to LibertyBank. "While we don't anticipate a return to positive Oregon job growth until sometime next year, continued improvement in the U.S. and global economies over the next few months should translate into somewhat stronger business opportunities for Oregon's small businesses."

The U.S. economy lost an estimated 345,000 net jobs in May - sharply below the estimated 520,000 lost jobs economists had predicted. It was the 17th consecutive monthly decline. This decrease was roughly half the average loss of the prior six months and the best performance since September 2008. In addition, reported job losses in March and April were revised to reflect that 82,000 fewer positions have been eliminated.

The U.S. unemployment rate rose to a 26-year high of 9.4 percent. The economy has now lost 6 million jobs since the recession officially began in December 2007, with nearly half of the losses during the past five months alone.

The SBI measures business conditions from the viewpoint of the Oregon small business owner or manager. A higher number is associated with more favorable business conditions for Oregon's small businesses. The index uses 100.0 for calendar year 1997 as its base year. The index also includes revisions to various historical and new forecast components as they become available.

LibertyBank provides financial services to clients throughout Oregon with 16 offices in Eugene, Springfield, Bend, Grants Pass, Medford, Redmond and Portland.

LibertyBank specializes in loan, lease, free checking and deposit services for businesses; commercial mortgage, construction and consumer loans; and a broad range of consumer deposit products.

Non-FDIC insured investments are available through LibertyInvestment and Insurance. Securities and related services are offered by PrimeVest Financial Services, Inc., an independent, registered broker/dealer and registered investment adviser. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment products are: o Not FDIC insured o May lose value o Not bank guaranteed o Not a deposit o Not insured by any federal government agency.

For more information, visit www.eLibertyBank.com, or phone (541) 681-4800.

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

[headlines]

News Briefs----

Consumers to get new financial watchdog, commercial section next?
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jun/16/us-financial-overhaul-061609/?business&zIndex=117569

AmEx Charge-Off, Delinquency Rates Drop
http://www.creditcollectionsworld.com/article.html?id=20090616SIRVXPSV&from=creditandcollectionnews

MySpace cuts workforce by 30 percent
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2009/06/16/MySpace-cuts-workforce-by-30-percent/UPI-83411245193715/

Housing starts jump 17% in May; wholesale inflation tame
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-06-16-housing-starts_N.htm

Ex-CEO Greenberg defends AIG fund actions
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jun/16/us-aig-trial-061609/?business&zIndex=117530

[headlines]

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

You May have Missed---

American Airlines drops flights from San Jose to Southern California
http://www.mercurynews.com/topstories/ci_12602709

[headlines]

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

Sports Briefs----

Kobe Bryant, Lakers capture 15th NBA title
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/06/11/sports/s194703D07.DTL

For Disappointed Fans, Consolation in Magic's Youth
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/sports/basketball/15magic.html

Mike Martz speaks on Alex Smith
http://www.examiner.com/x-2712-San-Francisco-49ers-Examiner~y2009m6d14-Mike-Martz-speaks-on-Alex-Smith

[headlines]

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

California Nuts Briefs---

Lawmakers reject state worker pay cut
http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1952603.html

Mayor picks Arizona chief as S.F. top cop
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/16/MN29188GUH.DTL

[headlines]

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

“Gimme that Wine”

Oregon Tasting Rooms Closing
http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=65265&htitle=Oregon%20Tasting%20Rooms%20Closing

Vodka outsells all spirits 3 to 1
http://www.examiner.com/x-6861-Bartender-Examiner~y2009m6d16-Vodka

Wine and Grape Industry has $5 Billion Impact on Lodi Region
http://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataid=65309

Wine Immersion program is split into two courses
http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/20090615/BUSINESSJOURNAL/906149955/1207/BUSINESSJOURNAL02

Kansas doctors take interest in wine
http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=10529881&nav=menu605_2

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
The London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex) is an electronic exchange for fine wine.
http://www.liv-ex.com/

[headlines]

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

Today's Top Event in History

1972-Five are arrested for the break-in at Democratic Party Headquarters (in Watergate complex, Washington, DC). They had previously placed wire taps and searched the headquarters on a regular basis, but leaving a rear-door unlocked made a building security guard suspicious. The arrests led to revelations of political espionage, threats of imminent impeachment of the president, and, on August 9, 1974, the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon. It is doubly ironic that Nixon was way ahead in the poll primarily because his opponent Senator George McGovern of South Dakota was not strongly supported by the Democratic Party, although he had sworn he would end the Viet Nam War 90 days after he was elected.
http://www.watergate.com/
http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/watergate.html

[headlines]
----------------------------------------------------------------

This Day in American History

[headlines]

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

Baseball Poem

Without the iconic numbers
Like Cy's 511, Ted's .406, the Babe's 60
Without the fabulous legends
Tall tales of Josh's homers that land
In the next city on the next day
Without the headlines and box scores
They are still there

We recognize their faces
From black-and-white photos
And newsreels and pieces
Of cardboard that sold tobacco
Their trademark stances
Windups and deliveries
Slings and swings
Trots around the sacks
Head-first slides home

They have become family
Sometimes we know their nicknames
Best of all
No one is anonymous
And each has left something behind
Not just the tools of their craft
Horsehide and leather
White ash and muddy metal cleats
Pinstriped jerseys and wire-rimmed sunglasses
Not just trophies and rings and the stuff
Of attic trunks and game room displays

We have memories
Stories told between generations
Embellished over hot stoves
Recalled every summer
In the grandstand and bleachers
When something out there jogs
Something in here
Where they will live
As long as the Game
Is played

Written by Gene Carney
"Romancing the Horsehide,"
Baseball Poems on Players and
the game, published by McFarland
and Company

[headlines]

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

SuDoku

The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. What could be simpler?

http://leasingnews.org/Soduku/soduko-main.htm

[headlines]

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

Daily Puzzle

How to play:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm

Refresh for current date:
http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm

[headlines]

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

http://www.gasbuddy.com/
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Map_Gas_Prices.aspx
http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Mobile_Instructions.aspx

[headlines]

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

Weather

See USA map, click to specific area, no commercials

http://www.weather.gov/

[headlines]

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

Traffic Live---

Real Time Traffic Information

You can save up to 20 different routes and check them out with one click,
or type in a new route to learn the traffic live

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

[headlines]