November 1, 2002

 

 

  Headlines---

 

 

   Pictures from the Past-1994-The Inquisition

    First Paid Classified Help Wanted Ad---Chase Industries, Grand Rapid, MI

       IDS and Summit---Kenneth E. Duffy, Sr.

         Direct Capital Corp. Executive Recommended to UAEL Board

          PDS Gaming loss from continuing operations of $486,000

            The Fed Approves Major Changes to Bank Lending

            "Consumer Spending Hits Brick Wall in September"

              3rd Q Foreclosures Up-But Repo Houses Sell Quickly      

                    Marina Del Rey Leasing Conference-Nov 8-9

                       Finance: Time to take tax savings before year's end

                        Neutron Jack details lavish life in divorce proceedings

 

   Special--Equipment Leasing Association Newsletter Highlights---

                  ---including "The New ELA"—Now Accepts Individual Members

 

 

### Denotes Press Release

 

 

 

 

Pictures from the Past—1994-The Inquisition

All Hallow’s Day

 

 

 

 

 

The lights dimmed in the Hyatt Monterey Regency Room as a spotlight focused on Chief inquisitor Jeffrey J. Wong, Esq.(pictured above left).  Narrating “The Inquisition, “ Wong, attorney, Cooper, White & Cooper, rattled off one-liners with all the ease and panache of an Elizabethan Jay Leno. Fully costumed in 18th Century Inquisition-wear, an all-WAEL cast of brokers, lessors, and attorneys entertained WAEL Spring Conference attendees for a fun information-packed hour and-a-half mock trail/horror show that featured the gruesome details of what can go wrong in a lease transaction.  The talented ensemble included : (l to 4r) Wong; Ron Mitchell, account exec., ITT Capital Finance, Pleasanton, California ( hidden in the above photo), Kenneth Greene, Esq., Partner, Keck, Mahin & Cate, San Francisco, California; Ray Garwacki, Jr., Esq., partner, Hemar, Rousso and Garwacki, Encino, California; Bob Teichman, senior vice president Belvedere Equipment Finance Corp., Redwood City, California; Richard Walker, president, Capital Equipment Leasing, San Diego, Californian; Stephen L. O’Neill, president, F.I.T. Leasing(center).

 

 

 

     Lenna Currie, owner, L’n D Leasing & Financial Services, Van Nuys, CA, gets tortured for the sins of a misguided broker.

 

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First Paid Classified Help Wanted Ad---Chase Industries, Grand Rapid, MI

 

Sales: National           "UAEL"

10 year national company with 7 offices specializing in the medical and IT

markets.  Other equipment considered.  Seeking professionals with a solid

book of business and high ethics.    Exceptional support, rates, and commissions.

 Some expenses paid.   Locate anywhere .

Email:gsaulter@chaseindustries.com

 

Gary Saulter

Chase Industries, Inc.

109 Ottawa Avenue

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

800-968-5000

 

Mr. Saulter is our first “paid” Help Wanted advertiser.  In fact, he has chosen

the three month plan. His company is expanding.  He believes he will be

hiring for the next three months.

 

Job Wanted, Outsourcing, attorneys are still free at Leasing News Classified.

There are no more “free” help wanted ads effective today. As a courtesy,

the current adds will run through November 14th.

 

Effective November 15, there are no restrictions on maximum of 25 words, plus

belonging to a leasing association will no longer be a requirement.

 

http://65.209.205.32/LeasingNews/PostingFormWanted.htm

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IDS and Summit---Kenneth E. Duffy, Sr.

 

“Leasing News is received by over 40 valid Summit email addressees and is

forwarded to many of our clients and other friends as a service. The

information that you initially received was without management

authorization.

 

“While financial and other information regarding IDS is made

public via the London Stock Exchange, information regarding Summit's

strategy to merge with or acquire IDS is not.

 

“On 10/23 IDS announced that "The Board has resolved to undertake a strategic review of all options open to the company". Also on that date, the London Stock Exchange tagged the stock with a "bid situation" flag and so the matter of a potential

acquisition by Summit or some other third party is now public knowledge.

 

“While some of the information in the earlier unauthorized email may be

accurate, we regret any inconvenience this may have caused to Messrs.

Quilling and  Franco, both of whom have our highest regard.

 

“In light of the fact that we have not yet confirmed the source of the earlier email, this

is it advise that Leasing News is not authorized to publish any information

regarding IDS which appears to emanate from Summit without approval of the

undersigned. This response may be published. Thank you. “

 

Kenneth E. Duffy, Sr.

President

kduffy@summitnational.com

 

( Mr. Duffy asked for our source and we would not divulge it. Again, there

were no names mentioned in the original e-mail, and while we did not believe a correction was needed, we did accommodate the request. Editor )

 

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Direct Capital Corp. Executive Recommended to UAEL Board

 

PORTSMOUTH - Direct Capital is pleased to announce the election of

Vice President, John Donohue to the UAEL (United Association of

Equipment Lessors) Board of Directors. With nearly 12 years experience

in the finance industry, Donohue brings a wealth of knowledge to the

Association. He looks forward to working with the Board and UAEL members

towards the betterment of the Industry.

 

Since 1993 Direct Capital Corp., based in Portsmouth, NH specializes in

equipment and technology financing for businesses nationwide. Since 1993

Direct Capital has risen to the top of the industry. Named as Fastest

Growing Company in the U.S. and NH by both Inc. 500 & Business NH Magazines,

Direct Capital has become a first-class provider of simple, fast and cost-

effective financing solutions. 

 

For additional information, visit their Award-Winning Site: www.DirectCapital.com

 

 

Direct Capital Corporation                                                              

Contact: Robyn Gault, Director of Marketing

Phone: 603-433-9476

 

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PDS Gaming loss from continuing operations of $486,000... compared to income of $2,519,000,,in the first nine months of 2001.

 

LAS VEGAS----PDS Gaming Corporation (Nasdaq:PDSG), a diversified gaming company that finances, leases and sells gaming equipment for the casino industry and operates Rocky's Sports Pub and Grill in Reno, Nevada, today reported its operating results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2002.

 

For the three month period ended September 30, 2002 ("third quarter 2002"), the Company reported income from continuing operations of $24,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared with income of $650,000, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2001 ("third quarter 2001"). Revenues from continuing operations were $7.3 million and $11.5 million in the third quarters 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decrease in revenues is primarily attributable to a decrease in equipment sales and sales-type leases of $2.0 million and a decrease in fee income, which is generally non-recurring in nature, of $1.6 million. The Company completed $7.5 million in originations during the third quarter 2002, compared with $4.0 million in the third quarter 2001.

 

Selling, general and administrative costs declined approximately 34%, or $570,000, in the third quarter 2002 as compared to the third quarter 2001, reflecting head count reductions and non-recurring legal fees incurred in the third quarter 2001.

 

Casino operations resulted in a pre-tax loss of $66,000 in the third quarter 2002, compared to pre-tax income of $42,000 in the third quarter 2001. The loss reflects generally unfavorable conditions in the Reno gaming market.

 

At the end of the first quarter 2002, the Company discontinued operations of its Table Games division and certain components of its Casino Slot Exchange division, due to unacceptable operating results. Accordingly, the Company has reclassified these activities as discontinued operations in accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. For the third quarter 2002, the results of discontinued operations were a loss of $348,000, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $264,000, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the third quarter 2001.

 

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2002, the Company reported a loss from continuing operations of $486,000, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to income of $2,519,000, or $0.65 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2001. Revenues from continuing operations approximated $25.6 million in the first nine months of 2002, compared with $32.2 million in the same period last year. The higher level of revenues in 2001 is primarily the result of non-recurring finance and fee income. The Company completed $37.4 million in originations in the first nine months of 2002, compared with $25.3 million in the same period of 2001 (the year earlier period also included a purchase of a lease transaction from a third party for $17 million). Approximately 2,600 and 4,900 gaming devices were shipped to customers in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2002, the results of discontinued operations were a loss of $2,224,000, or $0.59 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $1,141,000, or $0.31 per diluted share, in the same period in 2001.

 

"In the third quarter 2002, we made significant progress in restructuring our operations to focus on our core business--finance and lease originations. I am pleased that the efforts of our team have resulted in a profit from continuing operations. During the quarter, which historically is a low quarter for originations, we completed $7.5 million in new financing originations, up from $4.0 million in the comparable quarter last year. We have worked our inventory levels down another 13% this quarter and have grown our backlog of new business to a record high level, which should benefit us in the future," stated Peter D. Cleary, President and Chief Operating Officer of PDS Gaming Corporation.

 

 

PDS Gaming Corporation provides customized finance and leasing solutions to the casino industry in the United States. The Company also operates Rocky's Sport Pub and Grill in Reno, Nevada. PDS Gaming Corporation is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, and its common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "PDSG".

 

CONTACT:

 

Peter D. Cleary

 

President and Chief Operating Officer of

 

PDS Gaming Corporation

 

(702) 736-0700

 

############### ######################################################

 

 

The Fed Approves Major Changes to Bank Lending

 

Reuters

 

(Perhaps anticipating problems the first of the year?)

The U.S. Federal Reserve on Thursday approved sweeping changes in the way it makes short- term loans to banks, lowering hurdles to borrowing but at the same time raising the cost of the loans.

 

The new rules, which go into effect on Jan. 9, 2003, are intended to reduce swings in the federal funds rate in times of market stress, such as occurred in the period after the Sept 11 attacks.

 

The federal funds rate, which is the price banks charge each other for overnight loans, is the central bank's primary tool for managing the economy.

 

"The measure represents a technical change in the discount window policy only and does not represent any change at all in the overall stance of monetary policy," Federal Reserve Board Governor Edward Gramlich said.

 

Under the revamp, approved by the Fed board on a unanimous 7-0 vote, banks in sound condition will be able to borrow from the central bank at a so-called primary rate that would initially be set 1 percentage point above the federal funds target, essentially setting a ceiling on upward spikes.

 

Afterward, the primary rate would be set by the Fed board using the same procedures that have been used to set the discount rate.

 

In addition, under the revamp, a so-called secondary rate would be set for banks that are less sound. That rate would be initially 1.5 percentage points above the federal funds target.

 

The changes will also make it easier for banks to borrow from the Fed by scrapping a requirement that they first exhaust other reasonably available sources of funds.

 

The central bank also put in place special procedures for quickly lowering the primary credit rate to the federal funds rate target in the event of financial emergency.

 

FED LOOKS TO REDUCE VOLATILITY

 

Historically, banks have borrowed at a "discount rate" that was set below the federal funds rate. The current federal funds target is 1.75 percent, while the discount rate is 1.25 percent. Even though the discount rate is lower, analysts say banks have been hesitant to borrow from the Fed, fearing increased scrutiny from regulators and markets.

 

Such hesitance can lead to a scramble for funds in the market that pushes the federal funds rate up sharply, despite the Fed's best efforts to keep it close to the target set by policymakers. The plan is intended to address such volatility.

 

Under the plan adopted on Thursday, the current discount window program would cease to exist with the advent of the new one, which is similar to the so-called Lombard facilities employed by many central banks around the globe.

 

Under the new lending program, banks borrowing from the Fed could loan the funds back into the market, which would further reduce volatility by making funds available even for banks that might not qualify for the direct loans.

 

The changes also eliminate any incentive banks might have under the current discount window lending program to try to borrow at a below-market rate just to lend the funds at a higher rate and pocket the difference.

 

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“Consumer Spending Hits Brick Wall in September”

 

By DANIEL ALTMAN—New York Times

 

The economy grew at a moderate 3.1 percent rate in the third quarter, the Commerce Department estimated yesterday, but there were indications that growth may be slowing as the year comes to an end.

 

Consumer spending accounted for virtually all the growth during the summer months. And though gains in personal income remain healthy, the capacity of households to spend is starting to show signs of strain.

 

"Consumer spending hit a brick wall in September," said Ethan S. Harris, one of two chief economists at Lehman Brothers. "If you took the first two months of the quarter, they're probably consistent with something like 4.5 percent growth. If you take the last month of the quarter, it's more like zero."

 

The overall growth rate fell somewhat short of expectations. If today's employment report for October confirms that the economy is losing momentum, many analysts expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates when it meets on Wednesday, the day after the election.

 

Government spending and spending on housing, both of which helped prop up the economy late in 2001 and early this year, rose only slightly in the third quarter.

 

On the bright side, however, business investment in buildings, equipment and software increased 0.6 percent, reversing a steep downward trend that had run through seven consecutive quarters.

 

The trade deficit continued to hamper growth. It ballooned to $437.3 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, or 4.2 percent of the entire economy.

 

Forward-looking data hinted at slower growth. Initial claims for unemployment benefits stayed high last week, at 410,000. Wages rose by just 0.5 percent in the third quarter, compared with 1 percent in the second. And investors' forebodings deepened yesterday when the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago announced that its index of manufacturing activity, often a reliable predictor of nationwide figures, fell sharply in October.

 

Measures of consumer confidence by the University of Michigan and the Conference Board have also fallen sharply, according to reports published earlier this week.

 

The series of mildly disappointing reports could help pave the way for the Federal Reserve to lower short-term interest rates for the first time since last December. According to Bridgewater Associates, an investment manager, interest rates now imply that traders are giving the Federal Reserve a 90 percent chance of lowering the federal funds rate on overnight loans among banks to 1.5 percent from 1.75 percent next week. In the middle of October, the estimated probability was 23 percent.

 

Despite that, David Malpass, chief economist of Bear, Stearns, cautioned against reading too much into yesterday's report. "This report probably is a neutral for the Fed," he said, adding that today's report on employment from the Labor Department should have a stronger influence on the board.

 

Other economists predicted that the Fed would wait before lowering rates again. "My guess is that they'll probably stick to their guns, unless they know something we don't know," said Mark Gertler, a professor of economics at New York University. "They have to be vigilant, but the situation doesn't seem desperate."

 

Indeed, the rate of economic growth in the third quarter fell to a range that would have been considered quite healthy before the Internet boom of the late 1990's.

 

But despite strong improvements in crucial economic matters like productivity and corporate profits, worries about accounting scandals and a possible war with Iraq have eclipsed economic fundamentals in the minds of some consumers, Mr. Harris said. "This is nervousness well beyond what the official data on the economy suggests they should have," he said.

 

Mr. Harris added that the allure of interest-free financing for cars and other big-ticket items was beginning to fade. Detroit's Big Three offered those deals through the summer, and sales of cars, trucks and parts increased 10 percent. Now, Mr. Harris said, "they can't even get sales up to normal levels."

 

Many forecasters expected the economy to expand by 3.5 percent or 4 percent in the third quarter, far outpacing the second quarter's meager rate of 1.3 percent, before weakening in the fourth quarter. That said, the summer's lower-than-expected growth could suggest a slight lift for the future.

 

Mr. Malpass said that corporate inventories shrank by less than 0.1 percent after two quarters of strong gains. "The lowness of inventories coming out of the third quarter ends up being a timing shift," he said. "You subtract some from third quarter, and you add it to the fourth quarter." Mr. Malpass had expected growth of 3.7 percent in the third quarter.

 

It may take more than a small boost to loosen corporate purse strings, Mr. Harris said. "Every component of business behavior is slowing instead of accelerating. They're just saying: `We don't want to buy. We don't want to get out there and hire.' "

 

Although overall business investment is no longer declining, investment in commercial buildings like factories, offices and warehouses fell 16 percent during the summer, the fourth consecutive double-digit quarterly decline.

 

Companies may be content to sit on their current assets, Professor Gertler suggested, so the lag before the recovery appears robust may be longer than those after previous recessions. In any case, he said, "it's way too early to panic."

 

Christmas decorations at retail stores were very early this year, early October for

many department stores.

 

 

3rd Q Foreclosures Up-But Repo Houses Sell Quickly

 

By Ellen Lee

CONTRA COSTA TIMES

 

The number of East Bay homes going into foreclosure jumped a remarkable 27 percent in the third

quarter, a real estate information service reported Wednesday, and the rate is likely to increase between now and the spring.

 

But industry experts were divided on the meaning of the data.

 

Some saw them as a sign that the technology bust is catching up with homeowners stretched too thin by high mortgage payments.

 

One analyst even speculated that the increase in foreclosure notices is a sign that home prices will decline for the first time in years because foreclosed homes that go on sale tend to depress the market.

 

But at least one expert urged caution. Foreclosure notices in the most recent quarter hit about 3,000 in the Bay Area, but that number would need to double before hurting the real estate market, said John Karevoll of DataQuick Information Services, which provided the figures.

 

In Contra Costa County, 716 struggling homeowners received a notice of default in the third quarter, the first step of the foreclosure process, up nearly 22 percent from 587 for the same quarter a year ago, according to DataQuick.

 

In Alameda County, the foreclosure rate was up more than 32 percent to 817.

 

In Santa Clara County, epicenter of the high-tech boom and bust, the foreclosure rate was up more than 36 percent to 619, the highest jump in the nine-county area. In the entire Bay Area, 3,043 homeowners got foreclosure notices, up nearly 21 percent.

 

The Bay Area's figures stood in stark contrast to California's. Foreclosure notices statewide dipped slightly, down 4 percent to 17,925. But that's close to the bottom and will probably increase in the coming months, DataQuick said.

 

In the beginning of the foreclosure process, lenders send notices of default after homeowners have missed their mortgage payment, often after two to three months. Homeowners then have a period of time to fix the problem, such as securing a loan or selling the house, before the house goes on the auction block.

 

Once the house is repossessed, it's quickly sold, usually at a price lower than the market value. That could start a trend of declining home prices, said Alexis McGee, president of Foreclosures.com, if the number of foreclosures increases.

 

"We're starting to see the first stages of a declining market," McGee said. An increase in foreclosures, she says, "starts a domino effect of a down market."

 

But others say the Bay Area's real estate market is far from taking a plunge.

 

Even as the number of foreclosure notices is poised to increase between now and the spring, it is still low on a historical basis, said Karevoll of DataQuick.

 

"We shouldn't be concerned about foreclosures in the Bay Area until they get significantly higher," he said. Rather, the increase in foreclosure notices relates to the leveling off of home prices, Karevoll said.

 

When home prices were skyrocketing, homeowners were able to refinance and secure enough cash based on their home's increased price to help pay what they owe. That has become more difficult as home appreciation settles into a "healthy" pace of about 9 percent to 10 percent in the Bay Area, he said.

 

Jason Freskos, owner of Sequoia Mortgage Capital in Mill Valley, said he has received a huge jump in calls from homeowners swimming in overdue mortgage payments. Many have lost their jobs or found new jobs that pay much less than their old ones.

 

The increase in foreclosure notices is "indicative of the troubles in the economy," he said. "If you're not employed, you're going to have a hard time making your mortgage payments."

 

It could also mean that lending standards have become too lax.

 

"If you're 18 years old and breathing, we can get you a 100 percent loan," he said. "The foreclosures may mean that we need to tighten the lending standards."

 

 

 

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MARINA DEL REY LEASING CONFERENCE

 

 ( 104 registered at this date)

 

The regional meeting November 8-9 at Marina del Rey, CA is shaping up to be a real "EVENT". Registrations are far ahead of our expectations and more are signing up every day.  There is excitement, and yes even optimism, in the air that I haven't felt in some time.  Rick Wilbur, better known as Rick of the Desert, has put together an exciting program that promises to be interesting as well as thought provoking.

 

We will start out with, what else, drinks!  Friday evening the entire NAELB Board of Directors will host a FREE Meet & Mingle Reception with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres (I'm the tall guy with the Glenlivet Scotch in his hand!)

 

Saturday morning we will kick off the day with a leasing satire starring a famous quartet of actors and actresses. Because they have agreed to work for less than scale, I can't use their names here but Alec B, Tom C, Mel G, and Julia R might give you a hint.  It will be narrated by James Earl J.  If you ever wanted an opportunity to laugh at some of the asinine situations we, as brokers, lenders and lessees find ourselves in, make sure you have tickets for this event! 

 

Gerry Egan, the wordsmith of the leasing industry, will talk about "Quality Leases… Right Under your Nose while John, the rebel with a cause, Winchester will discuss Working with Local Banks.

 

Later in the day, after you have had an opportunity to visit with a number of lenders on a one-on-one basis, a prestigious panel of lenders will present their ideas of "The Near Term Future of Funding for Small Ticket Leasing and What Brokers Must Do Today to Prepare".  I think those of us who have been around for a while realize the broker/lessor and our lenders are completely interdependent on one another.  This interactive discussion of how we make this a win/win partnership in the weeks and months ahead is suitable, opportune, and timely.  Here is the really neat part of the program.  After the panelists have made their brief presentation, each table will discuss these and other challenges and opportunities we face in the leasing business.  At the end of the breakout sessions, each table will then present a summary of their ideas to the entire audience. 

 

We will conclude with, what else, a cocktail party Saturday evening.   

 

You can register online at www.naelb.org.

 

I hope to see you there.  If you have any questions call me at 877-349-5957

 

Bob Bell, CLP

bob@independentleasing.com

 

NAELB's Regional Conference

November 8-9, 2002

 

 

Hot Topics...

 

            *            Quality Leases...Right Under Your Nose!

 

            *            Working With Local Banks!

 

 

Register today.  See the attached form for details.

When making room reservations at the hotel, be sure to mention "NAELB" and

Group # 10164.  Call the hotel today at 310-301-1000.

 

http://www.leasingnews.org/PDFFiles/regional%20conference%20flyer.pdf

 

 

Finance: Time to take tax savings before year's end

   

By Linda Stern

REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON – Forget about counting down the number of shopping days until Christmas; your money motor should already be running because there are only two months left in this tax year.

 

There are new tax breaks for 2002 – and, unfortunately, lots of tax losses – to take advantage of. Here's what to do now to make yourself happy come April 15.

 

- Sell those losers. If you own stocks or mutual funds that are worth less than when you bought them, sell before the end of the year to lock in those tax losses.

 

You'll be able to use those losses to wipe out taxable gains you might have had (but don't expect many of those, given the market's lousy performance.) And, up to $3,000 of losses can be used to offset regular income, which is usually taxed at much higher rates.

 

If you have more than $3,000 in losses, take them anyway; you can carry them forward every year until they are used up. Sadly, harvesting losses might be the best investment some taxpayers will have made in 2002. This won't work if your holdings are in a tax- deferred retirement or education account. And you can't rebuy the same security within 30 days of your sell-off, though you can buy a similar stock or fund.

 

- Load up on deductible expenses, even if you don't have the cash. If you use a credit card to cover a charitable contribution or medical expense, it's deductible for this year, even if you don't pay the bill until next year, according to Jim Seidel, senior tax analyst of RIA, a New York tax publisher.

 

This strategy works less well if you end up paying interest on those charges, of course.

 

Seidel recommends that taxpayers "bunch" their deductible expenses in every other year.

 

That's because many deductibles come with an annual floor below which they cannot be deducted. Miscellaneous deductions must be worth more than 2 percent of adjusted gross income before they can be taken off your taxes; medical costs must exceed 7.5 percent of income. By consolidating those costs every other year, you increase the likelihood that you'll be able to deduct them. Of course, you can't always time your medical costs, but items like prescription refills, eyeglasses, elective surgery and the like can often be pushed from one year to the next.

 

- Work with your boss on your bonus. There's a loophole in tax law that lets your boss declare and deduct your bonus this year, but not pay it until next year. If your company's books are kept on the accrual method, ask that your bonus not be paid until after Jan. 1. That lowers your income for this year and effectively gives you a year to pay taxes on the bonus.

 

- Give now, decide later. If you've got $10,000 to give to charity over the next few years, you can open up a Charitable Gift account at a mutual fund company. The firm manages the money until you are ready to give it away, but you get the full deduction this year. Among the firms offering these funds are Fidelity (www.charitablegift.org), Charles Schwab (www.schwabcharitable.com) and T. Rowe Price (www.programforgiving.org).

 

- Play retirement catch up. This year, the contribution limit for 401(k) accounts went up to $11,000, and the contribution limit for Individual Retirement Accounts rose to $3,000. Workers age 50 and older can contribute an extra $1,000 to their 401(k) accounts if their company plan has been revised to allow this. Make those maximum contributions before the end of the year to get tax breaks now and in the future. And if your plan hasn't been rewritten to allow the higher amounts, try to get your company to put that on the fast track.

 

- Pay your state tax bill, one extra mortgage payment and any other deductible expenses before the end of the year.

 

- Finish the refinance soon. If you finish your home refinancing before the end of the year, you can deduct any points you paid on your previous mortgage when you file your 2002 taxes.

 

(Linda Stern is a freelance writer who covers personal finance issues for Reuters. Any opinions in the column are solely those of Ms. Stern. You can e-mail her at lindastern@aol.com).

 

Neutron Jack details lavish life in divorce proceedings

 

By The Associated Press/Seattle Times

 

NEAL HAMBERG / AP

 

 

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Being Jack Welch is expensive — $52,000 a month for gifts, $9,000 for food and drink and $1,900 for clothes.

 

But he can afford it.

 

The retired chief executive of General Electric disclosed assets of a half-billion dollars, a monthly income of $1.4 million — including $1,000 in Social Security — and some extravagant spending habits in an eight-page financial affidavit filed as part of his divorce case.

 

Welch, who headed GE for 20 years before retiring in September 2001, said in his filing Wednesday that his monthly expenses average $366,114.

 

He shells out $51,531 for upkeep of six homes from Nantucket, Mass., to Palm Bach, Fla. He drops just a bit more — $52,486 — for gifts. Another $8,982 goes to food and drink and $1,903 to clothes.

 

Then there's $5,480 for country-club dues and about $1,482 on vacations and rental cars.

 

Welch gets $357,128 a month from his GE pension and another $377,000 a month, after taxes, from a consulting business he started after retiring. He also gets $1,000 a month, after taxes, in Social Security payments.

 

It costs him $20,000 a month to have money managers and accountants oversee his fortune. He listed assets of $456,183,000 and liabilities of $16,685,000.

 

In her filings, estranged wife Jane Welch listed assets of $8.2 million, including ownership of a home in Florence, Italy. Her monthly income: $11,360.

 

In earlier papers she said she gets $35,000 a month in temporary support and argues that it isn't enough for her expenses. She estimated that during their 13- year marriage the couple's expenses ran more than $2.5 million annually.

 

Under state law, she can claim up to 50 percent of the equity the couple accrued.

 

The latest chapter in the high-profile divorce case lands both sides back in court on Monday. Judge Julia Dewey has scheduled a three-day hearing to determine how much temporary alimony Jack Welch should pay during the rest of the divorce proceedings.

 

Jack Welch has added high-powered Chicago lawyer Daniel K. Webb to his defense team. The former U.S. attorney has represented Philip Morris and GE in the past and has been hired by Microsoft in its continuing antitrust action.

 

At one time life was even more lavish for Jack Welch, including use of GE aircraft, tickets to sporting events and a Manhattan apartment — all amenities that were negotiated into his contract when he agreed to extend his tenure at GE. He asked GE's board to rescind the perks after they became an issue in the divorce, and said he would reimburse GE for the value of any services and facilities he used.

 

His wife's attorney, William Zabel of Schulte Roth & Zabel, said yesterday there are still questions about Jack Welch's worth.

 

"How do you value the lifetime use of a 737?" Zabel said through a spokesman, Dick Auletta. "And secondly, we estimate that in the area of deferred compensation his pension alone is worth in excess of $100 million."

 

Copyright © 2002 The Seattle Times Company

 

 

Equipment Leasing Association Newsletter Highlights---

   ---including “The New ELA”---Now Accepts Individual Members

 

********************************

ELT E-Leasing Newsletter 10/31/02

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The Equipment Leasing Today E-Leasing Newsletter is published every Thursday and is sponsored by the Equipment Leasing Association and its co-sponsor. To get Full-Text Stories, go to the web page associated with the story you wish to read. The links to news stories require an ELA MEMBERS-ONLY NAME AND PASSWORD. To receive a password, please go to http://www.elaonline.com/memberDir/Profile/IndivForm.cfm

 

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************** The E-Leasing Newsletter is SPONSORED by: ***************

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                    Recovery and Remarketing Specialists

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1.         The New ELA

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"For organizations that make a difference, in the equipment leasing marketplace or the association, ELA is the organization that provides advocacy, resources for business development and industry knowledge to sustain member and industry growth and profitability."

 

That is the new positioning of ELA, as recommended by the ELA Repositioning Task Force, and as adopted by the ELA Board of Directors at its meeting just prior to the Annual Convention in San Francisco. It is the result of a yearlong study of the leasing industry and ELA's role in it.

 

As detailed in the October issue of ELT, the Task Force's work revealed a leasing industry that has changed dramatically since ELA's model was established. Consolidation has created a competitive landscape of "whales and minnows," and has begun to institutionalize what was an entrepreneurial business. The industry has simultaneously become smaller and more diverse, while the association has continued to try to provide "everything to everyone."

 

The repositioned ELA must optimize the value provided to, and received by, its members. Therefore, it must do a better job marketing its offerings, and must reach more people inside its member companies. The universe of member companies is shrinking, but the universe of individuals in leasing operations who should consider themselves members of ELA is virtually untapped. ELA has a database of more than 10,000 names, but really only interacts with a fraction of that number.

 

Furthermore, two specific steps the association is taking immediately reflect current industry realities. A new category of membership is being created: Transitioning Individual. A person would be eligible to be an Individual Member if she/he had been, but is not presently, an employee of a regular ELA member company. Second, the Middle Market Business Council is being split into two separate entities: Banks and Independents, in recognition of the different needs of each type of leasing operation.

 

The November/December issue of ELT will contain a comprehensive explanation of ELA's repositioning and what it means for ELA members. In the meantime, if you have questions, please contact ELA Membership & Marketing Director Michael Henderson at mhenderson@elamail.com.

 

 

************* The E-Leasing Newsletter is sponsored by: ****************

Asset Control

Doing more for your bottom line.

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2.            Treasury: No Election For Mid-Quarter Depreciation in 2002

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A high-ranking Treasury official has notified ELA that the department will not provide an election option in 2002 for the mid-quarter depreciation convention. Earlier this month, an ELA delegation led by ELA Chairman Ed Dahlka (LaSalle), met with Treasury officials and urged that the 60-40 rule be made an election in light of the weak economy and the need to stimulate investment in equipment.

 

According to ELA Vice President of Federal Government Relations Steve Fier, the Treasury official cited a lack of statutory authority as the reason for denying ELA's request. "Clearly," Fier said, "Treasury, which authorized such an election at ELA's request in 2001, does not equate the current economic slow down with  the tragic events of 9/11 which sent shock waves through the financial markets and impeded the completion of deals." While Treasury's denial of the election option is not a surprise, Fier said, "ELA intends to continue a dialogue with the department on the need for an outright repeal of the mid-quarter depreciation convention."

**************** The E-Leasing Newsletter is SPONSORED by: ***********

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9.            Download the State of the Industry

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Did you know that one of the most valued industry research publications, the annual State of the Industry Report, is now available to download?  The State of the Industry Report, published by the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation and sponsored by PriceWaterhouseCooper, is the only publication providing an comprehensive analysis of recent trends and market conditions in the equipment lease finance industry.

 

To download, go to http://www.leasefoundation.org/ResearchPubs/index.htm#2002SOI

Hard copies available upon request at naly@elamail.com.

 

This study is free. However, your donation to the Foundation will help fund future studies and reports. To contribute, please visit the Foundation website at www.leasefoundation. 

 

 

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10.            Personnel Solutions!

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Spring is just around the corner (if you ignore all that Halloween stuff around!), and so is your chance to employ well-qualified university interns. 

 

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation, once again, will work with companies and students to place highly skilled, enthusiastic college students in lease financing spring and summer internships. If your company anticipates special projects or employee vacancies, let us know and we can help find the right student for your company. Interns bring many skills to their employers and allow you to preview future employees. (Interns from last summer were offered full time jobs upon graduation!)

 

This service is provided free by the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation. If you are interested in hiring a student intern, please email Lisa Levine at llevine@elamail.com.

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12.    ELA Calendar of Events

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Please visit ELA's Calendar of Events online at

http://www.elaonline.com/events/

 

If you have any questions about ELA conferences and workshops, please contact Lesley Sterling at lsterling@elamail.com

 

November 7, 2002

MAEL 20th Annual Dinner Meeting

Westin O'Hare, Chicago, IL

http://www.mael.org/members/news.asp

 

December 2-4, 2002

Principles of Leasing Workshop

Embassy Suites, LaJolla, CA

http://www.elaonline.com/events/2002/principles/

 

December 9-11, 2002

Principles of Leasing Workshop

Philadelphia Marriott, Philadelphia, PA

http://www.elaonline.com/events/2002/principles/

 

January 26 - 28, 2003

2003 ELA Equipment Management Conference & Exhibition

Westin La Paloma, Tucson, AZ

http://www.elaonline.com/events/2003/equipmgmt/

 

March 3-5, 2003

Principles of Leasing Workshop

Hyatt Harborside. Boston, MA

 

March 6-7, 2003

Investor Conference

Roosevelt Hotel, New York, NY

 

March 16-18, 2003

Executive Roundtable

Hilton LaJolla Torrey Pines LaJolla, CA

 

April 7-9, 2003

Principles of Leasing Workshop

Marriott Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA

 

 

For more information on the events listed below, or to view ELA's entire

calendar, visit the ELA Conference & Training Home Page at

http://www.elaonline.com/events/ and click on the links to programs of interest

to you.

 

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http://www.elaonline.com/news/newsaddedit.cfm

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Amy J. Miller, ELA's Vice-President of Communications, edits ELT's E-leasing Newsletter. If you have questions or comments relating to ELT's E-Leasing Newsletter, please email her at amiller@elamail.com.

 

This newsletter is free to ELA members. Forward it to a co-worker!

Copyright 2002 by the Equipment Leasing Association

http://www.elaonline.com/

Phone: 703/527-8655 Fax: 703/527-2649

 

 




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