Leasing News

“1995 brings numerous changes to the WAEL Staff. Executive VP Ray Williams, PH.D., CAE, has earned a re-certifciation from the American Society of Association Executives.

Congratulations are in order for Sharon Ortiz. She was recently promoted to VP of Operations. This new positions puts her in charge of the day-to-day activities of the office. Formerly Director of Administration, she has been with WAEL for nearly five years.

“Additional congratulations go to Loretta Law, WAEL’s Meeting Planner. She earned her Certified Meeting Planner (CMP), which is administered by Convention Liaison Counsel.

“Estarlita Green has take on the duties of Member Services Coordinator. She has been with WAEL for almost six years.

“Finally, you may have noticed a different look to the WAEL Newsline and the other WAEL publications. WAEL welcomes Jamie Valdez-Geluz as the new Director of Publications. WAEL’s media needs and working closely with membership. He intends to follow in the tradition of innovative print media for which WAEL has earned distinction.

[Headlines]

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Classified Ads---Help Wanted

Sales: National: Medical & IT Equipment- Plus. Seeking professionals w/solid book of business & strong work ethics. Exceptional support, commissions & expenses. Email: info@chaseindustries.com

UAEL EAEL

800- 968-5000

About Chase Industries, incorporated in 1993, currently has six regional offices throughout the United States. We work to provide a straightforward - honest approach to offering the best financial services to our vendors and their customers - without all the surprises. www.chaseindustries.com

Sales: 25 Territory needed. Generous comp. Provide custom telemarketing your database. Provide 800#. Strong support (System 1 Advantage).

E-mail: leasingpartnerscapital@msn.com

Bruce Larsen Leasing Partners Capital (952) 890-5092.

Sales: Lessor/Broker-Arizona- need experienced mid-market salesperson, location open, strong medical bkrnd pref. Top comm, draw, benefits. Call John Torbenson 888 607 6800

john@odysseyequipfinance.com

About Odyssey Equipment Financing started in 1985 in

Seattle. Company sold part of the company in 1997 and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. Company specializes in medical equipment financing and acts as both a funder and broker.

[Headlines]

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eLease Section Has Been Up-dated

If there is more current information, please let us know, as this

is the latest that we have:

http://www.leasingnews.org/elease/software.htm

[Headlines]

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Books on Equipment Leasing

Our Most Recent Book Review:

Taylor’s “Selling Leasing in a Tough Economy” is now highlighted on our website in our display site, free of charge, as we are so impressed with this tome, and it’s concept on education, we consider it a “must read.”

Here is our review, if you missed it.

http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Selling_Economy.htm

One of our first sections on the Web Site tool bar was “Books.”

http://two.leasingnews.org/Books.htm

When I entered the equipment leasing business in 1971, there were no

conferences to teach about leasing. I went to the San Francisco library

and read every book on leasing, then started to buy and collect them.

One of my favorites has been up-dated, revised, and now comes with a

CD-Rom. You can read on your computer, print, or perhaps lead a class

with computers or notebooks. The large layout in a classic loose leaf

notebook is a plus.

Marketing the Equipment Lease---Ted Parker, CLP

http://two.leasingnews.org/Books_Direct.htm#marketing

He also was the first to come out with a uniform documentation book,

way ahead of his time. It has become an industry standard. It was

the first with a floppy disk. An ex-banker, he certainly contributed

a lot to help standardize the leasing industry.

http://www.cclease.com/guidebk.html

The Certified Leasing Professional Manual, “The Leasing Professionals’ Handbook,” written primarily by Bob Teichman, CLP, needs to be up-dated. The author will admit to that. It still is a very good book, but Bob says he wishes

he had the time to up-date it. He wrote most of it before he started his own lease training company, when he had more time. He did it for the sake of the industry and was not paid for what he contributed.

The most up-to-date book, and quite practical is:

“ Power Tools for Successful Leasing”

http://two.leasingnews.org/Books_Direct.htm#power

It also is a “must read.” Some of the legal advice and explanation of

common practices are worth more than the price of this very well-written

“manual,” if you will.

In the collection of books, the most extensive, and perhaps the definitive

work, plus the most expensive are by the late Jeffrey J. Wong and Michael A. Leichtling, Editors-in-Chief, published by Mathew Bender.

Commercial Finance Guide and Commercial Loan Documentation Guide

http://bookstore.lexis.com/bookstore/

I purchased mine at a leasing conference at a 10% discount, then had Jeff

Wong autograph it. I sure miss both his wit and wisdom. Mathew Bender

keeps it up to date for an annual subscription.

While I think the leasing association listserve to answer questions, nothing beats a book that you can sit down at your desk or in a chair or couch, read---and re-read,

until you understand. Sometimes you don’t know the right question to ask. A book with chapters and an index let’s your explore at your own pace.

The books section on leasing news is divided not by title or author, but

first broken into where you can buy these books:

Amazon

Direct Purchase

Certified Leasing Professional (CLP) Foundation

Equipment Leasing Association

Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation Reports

United Association of Equipment Leasing

For the more serious research, or for the student, we also recommend

the public library on line. It is best to be “internet savvy,” as the younger

generation are, and this source is excellent once you learn how

to navigate it.

http://two.leasingnews.org/Books_library.htm

As Jeff Taylor says in his book “ Selling Leasing in a Tough Economy.”

In a nutshell, the only competitive advantage the leasing company of the future will have is its manager’s ability to learn faster than their competitor. In fact, I would argue that the rate at which individuals and organizations learn may become the only sustainable competitive advantage.”

Page 49---

“In summary, your learning goals should incorporate the following challenges:

--Increase your emotional intelligence

--Live with and enjoy a world of constant change

--Avoid activities which disrupt learning

--Destroy all achievement blockers

“It is not enough to just want to learn. One has to prioritize it and incorporate it into daily life.”

(By the way, the title may be very timely, it could also be misleading, as

this book should be read by everyone involved in leasing, not just the

sales and marketing staff. It applies to everyone involved in the leasing

process. I invite you to buy a copy, and if I am wrong, write me and

I will print your comments. Editor).

Please send to a colleague and ask them to subscribe. You can use the button

at the top (Send to a Friend ). We are trying to build our readership. There is a “free” version in text format, and a subscription version with 45 Days Free Trial where you can click on to the headline and go to the story, get “Day in American History” by periods of history, “Kit Menkin Live,” and instant access to the website---now need to go to the browser.

Hit Reply and “up-date me” or use contact form for “free text version”

[Headlines]

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Commercial Money Center Attorney Withdrawal.

“The correspondence I rec'd was a notice to withdraw as counsel from Harold Gewerter (their only counsel as far as I know) and was in regard to Dowell -v- CMC et al. It looks like a standard, across the board withdrawal for all matters. It specifically mentioned the reason as lack of payment of fees causing financial hardship to counsel as the reason for withdrawal. If he's out, things can't be all that good.”

( Name With Held )

---

Tom McCurnin, Barton, Klugman, Oetting, Los Angeles, California

e-mail: tmccurnin@bkolaw.com Voice: 213-621-4000 Fax: 213-625-1833

Website: www.bkolaw.com

He is looking for information on past leasing conferences concerning the

issue of having a “license” in the State of California. He is also interested

in talking with any party or attorney regarding their experience in obtaining

a “Finance Lender” or similar license in the State of California.

I personally have attended several legal forums on this, and the last one I remember was headed by Victor Harris for the United Association of

Equipment Leasing. My memory tells me that he advised the audience

that they should not pay a commission to a person who was not licensed

in the transaction, meaning if you had an independent contractor as a salesman

you would have to put he or she on the payroll to show he was an employee, or

the salesman had to have a license.

Now if my memory about what Victor advised is not correct ( and I am sure there is a lot more as he and his panel spent over a hour on this one subject ,) please write to Leasing News. We will print your advice.

Kit Menkin, editor

[Headlines]

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Abacus Sues Leasing News for $5,000,000 question

Ron Brodt:

“In your newsletter of March 5, 2003 you state: "Basically, we ask readers to

go to the "pdf" of the commitment letter and make up your own minds

regarding the return of the $50,000 deposit." Having been in this business

some 30 years and involved in numerous work-out / litigation situations, I

downloaded the pdf file and reviewed the information. Since I am not an

attorney (but I watch a lot of legal shows on TV), I decided to play both

attorney and jury member below:

“It appears that the transaction began on June 20, 2002 with a proposal from

Abacus. After discussion with PacTox, a "revised" proposal was issued was

faxed on July 19 which stated that "Formal credit approval shall be subject

to receipt of all requested information and the development of documentation

and all other specified (sic) acceptable to the Lessor or its assigns." The

revision called for a 61 month $1.00 out lease with an advance rental of

$50,000 followed by 60 payments at 1.948% of cost to yield 19.78% APR.

(Ouch.) The proposal calls for a deposit of $3,728.49 which was to be

applied, after expenses, to the advance payment if the transaction was

approved. If the application was rejected, the deposit would be returned,

net of expenses not to exceed 2% of equipment cost (or $3,827.54 in this

case, or, in other words, expenses could conceivably total the amount of the

requested deposit).

“Although the revised proposal not dated above Terry Miller's signature (and,

in fact, the line shows: "Agreed and accepted this __ day of June, 2002"),

the cost was changed and initialed on July 24, 2002 on Page 1 of the revised

proposal. The proposal states that no guaranty will be required if the

company has a "comparable satisfactory corporation only credit reference."

“However, two days prior to initialing the proposal, on July 22, a check was

cut by Whittier Equities Corp to Abacus for $50,000.00 and labeled "Advance

funds - Lease of Elan DRC II." Some questions came to mind: how is Whittier

related to PacTox, why are they advancing funds for the advance rental and

not PacTox, why are they advancing an unsolicited amount to Abacus because,

after all, the proposal in hand only required a deposit of $3,728.49 and,

finally, was the check cashed as only the front of the check was submitted?

“Assuming there are satisfactory answers to the above and assuming the

$50,000.00 was paid, what happened between July 24 and December 31, 2002?

“It appears from the December 31 letter that the credit was submitted to a

funder someplace and an approval received (in August, September or October

perhaps?), which called for a Letter of Credit. Mr. Burke implies in his

letter that this approval was discussed with Ms. Miller, the letter of

credit agreed to by her and she told Mr. Burke that the letter of credit

would be ready on October 25th, prepared by Union Bank. (The fact that a

bank was named lends credence to the possible conversation about a letter of

credit and its acceptance by PacTox.)

“The LOC was never received and apparently there was some subsequent

discussion of a personal guaranty in lieu of the LOC. Some PG information

was apparently submitted which needed clarification but the request for

clarification was never responded to. Mr. Burke's December letter asks

whether PacTox will send either the LOC or the PG information. That, to me,

implies an open approval (subject to receipt of the LOC which may have been

verbally agreed to by PacTox as no written documentation was submitted,

although it may exist) which could be modified to drop the LOC requirement

and substitute a PG if the requested additional information was supplied.

“Terry Miller wrote to Leasing News and stated "In order to avoid signatures

of personal guarantees, we sent Abacus leasing $50,000.00. I also signed a

lease proposal which expired July 25, 2002." The statement about the

$50,000.00 being submitted to avoid PGs is interesting for several reasons.

First, the proposal signed July 24 states that no guarantees are required if

a comparable corporate credit exists. Second, there is no supporting

documentation submitted as to why the advance was paid and not just the

requested deposit. Third, the issue of a PG was raised, apparently, in

October, months after the advance rental was paid. (The proposal expiration

is a non-issue; the terms presented were good only through July 25. If

signed prior to that date, a valid contract existed to obtain financing or

leasing for PacTox.)

“There was no COMMITMENT LETTER in the .pdf package.

What is there is a PROPOSAL LETTER (actually a revised proposal letter dated

7/19/02 to one originally issued June 20). A proposal letter doesn't commit

to an approval; it merely sets out general terms and conditions as a

framework for an approval the lender will try to get for the borrower at

some time in the future. Acceptance of a proposal letter is a green light

for the lender / lesssor / broker to proceed to try to obtain financing on

the terms spelled out in the proposal letter.

“Most proposal letters I have seen have a time frame of 15 days or less to

accept or reject the proposed terms the lender will try to get. If the

proposal expires before it is signed by the borrower, the lender can

re-propose a different transaction or the borrower can just walk away.

“The fact that there is an expiration date in the proposal letter is not tied

to getting an approval or completing the transaction but rather in getting

the borrower to agree to the proposed terms by a specified date. Since

PacTox signed the proposal letter before the expiration date and sent funds

along with the letter, Abacus had a valid proposal in hand to try to obtain

financing for PacTox, even if it took a week or a month or more to get an

approval.

“I don't know anything about the credit worthiness of PacTox. In my

experience, medical test equipment, if repossessed, is hard to remarket.

That may be the reason for the $50K advance payment up front (seen as a

inducement to a lender to do the deal). It may also be the reason it was

hard to get an approval. But, eventually, it seems, one was obtained with a

letter of credit. As I stated earlier, it appears PacTox initially was

inclined to go with that but then suggested a PG as an alternative. That was

in October. Apparently Abacus spent three months trying to place the deal

and eventually found a lender who wanted a letter of credit but would

consider a substantial personal guarantor instead. We don't know because

apparently PacTox never provided the additional information requested.

“I concur that Abacus is not entitled to the $50,000. In fact, I personally

interpret the payment in the first place as an error. The payment that

should have accompanied the signed proposal letter was the $3,728.49

specified in the proposal as a deposit. Abacus didn't ask for $50K; they

asked for $3.7K to take the deal off the street. Somehow, they received

$50K. They should return it net of the expense allowance specified in the

proposal letter.

“To further clarify, a COMMITMENT LETTER from a lender, issued after all due

diligence and credit review is done by them, states that they will do the

transaction according to the terms specified in the commitment letter within

a specific timeframe. For example, a commitment letter would say that they

will finance a new widget for ABC Company for 60 months at 10% APR with the

guaranty of the company president. The commitment expires April 1. Both the

borrower and lender sign this letter. If the deal is not completed before

April 1 the lender can either walk away or recommit for another period of

time. However, after April 1, if the lender issues a new commitment letter,

the rate might be higher or they might require additional terms and

conditions.

“PacTox had a proposal letter only. They accepted it before the expiration

date. Even though the "expiration date" in the proposal letter passed, it

doesn't make any difference. PacTox agreed to let Abacus find them

financing. Abacus proceeded to try to obtain a commitment from a lender to

do the deal. Apparently they found someone but PacTox didn't like the terms.

But, as the proposal letter says, they can walk away but they forfeit up to

2% of cost for "expenses." They may be out the $3.7K in expenses as

specified and agreed to but they should not be out the full $50K, first

because that is not what the proposal letter says and secondly, because they

should not have paid that up front in the first place as it was not

required.

“I'd be curious as to what a real attorney would say about this.”

Ronald J. Brodt

SVP Credit & Syndication

Amsource Capital Ltd.

972-221-7285 (Office)

214-222-0691 (Fax)

972-849-2742 (Mobile)

ronbrodt@amsourcecapital.com

www.amsourcecapital.com

(Contrary to “popular belief,” Leasing News is not the judge, or in any way,

purporting to give legal advice. The purpose of the Complaint Bulletin Board is to post a “legitimate complaint.”

We investigate everyone one of them to see if they are valid, and if you read

the past ones, always print the other side, whether we agree or disagree, as

our role is to be “fair and accurate.”

When there is “no comment” or “MSM Capital President Mike Cingari is not available,” this does not prevent us from the posting. That is the choice of the other party, to make a comment or not to make a comment.

If we do not think it is a legitimate complaint, or there is a document in question,

we do not print it. We have several complaints where lessee’s have signed away

their rights that any money submitted is not returned. Whether that is legal or

not legal in the state involved, we believe it is not a valid complaint for the bulletin board. There are times when a lessee “backs out” and claims “too

much time has elapsed,” but they have a signed commitment letter with an

“opened end” time period. We won’t print that one.

In the case of Abacus: I am going by the written proposal in the form of a “standard” leasing commitment letter and its purpose. It spells out what the understanding is about. When it expired, there were other forms sent to the lessee, which they did not sign, they state. The broker kept trying to put the transaction together, and according to the applicant, there were months of broken promises, changes, and it was never their intention to "reward" Abacus with $50,000 for their services. They always assumed they would pay 2% for the costs involved, and agreed to that, even if the "new lease" were to go ahead.

So the issue is basically the purpose of the proposal letter.

By its written agreement, it expired without the "broker" meeting

the terms. The lessee has agreed to reimburse the "broker" for

his time, verbally, according to the original figure in the

Commitment letter, but not $50,000. That dollar amount you must

agree is “preposterous.”

If a new Commitment or proposal letter had been signed by both parties, that

would change the circumstance, but according to the applicant,

that was never done, and it was never understood the "broker"

would be entitled to $50,000 for his "services," especially if

no transaction were to actually "fund." We requested on

seven occasions for additional documentation or comment from

Abacus Leasing. Their response was “We are going to sue you.”

We therefore posted the complaint as it appears legitimate..

Whether a jury would decide “guilty or not guilty” or the Attorney

General of the State of New York will view this as a “civil matter”

or a “criminal matter” is not known by us. We are an electronic newspaper

posting what appears to us as a legitimate complaint.

If there are other readers besides Ron that have an opinion on this, whether they be an attorney or not, we would be glad to hear from them and print their opinion on this matter.)

Kit Menkin, editor

[Headlines]

__________________________________________________________________

What Is The Streamlined Sales Tax?

What Changes When A State Adopts It?

How Is Your Industry or Company Impacted?

How Can You Get Involved With Streamline Planners?

A panel of speakers representing the American Legislative Exchange Council, Council On State Taxation and National Retail Federation moderated by the Equipment Leasing Association will examine Streamlined Sales Tax.

Provisions of the streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement will be reviewed and related issues discussed. This timely event sponsored by the

Washington Area State Relations Group (WASRG) occurs as states are enacting the Agreement. Sign up with the fax registration form provided in the following attachment or visit www.wasrg.com

DATE:

Wednesday, March 12

TIME:

8:30 AM 11 AM

LOCATION:

Hall of States

444 North Capitol Street

Washington, D.C.

2nd Floor

Rooms 283 and 285

Conference Center of State Services Organization

The Streamlined Sales Tax System promises uniformity and simplicity to all types of consumer and commercial transactions including collection of sales tax from the Internet and catalogs. Issues discussed will include Business Activity Tax safeguards.

Corporate and trade association representatives are also invited to learn more about the State Government Affairs Council (SGAC) at an informal event following the educational session. For additional details on the SGAC event, and to RSVP, please visit http://www.sgac.org/invite.html

http://www.leasingnews.org/PDFFiles/WASRG%20March%20Luncheon%20Notice.pdf

Dennis Brown

dbrown@elamail.com

Equipment Leasing Association

[Headlines]

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U.S. Small Business Administration Names CIT Small Business Lending Number One Minority Lender

LIVINGSTON, N.J.,-- Underscoring its commitment to helping minority-owned small businesses across the nation, CIT Small Business Lending (CIT SBL) today announced it has been named the nation's top minority lender by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The recognition is for fiscal 2002, ended September 30th, 2002. During that period, CIT SBL provided loans totaling approximately $220 million, lending to 408 African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American businesses nationwide. This number represents more than 1/4 of the total number of loans CIT SBL approved in 2002, and signifies more than 28% of its total funded volume.

"We are excited about our contribution and feel privileged to be able to help these business owners achieve their goals. We are also very proud to be recognized as the top minority lender in the country and accept it as acknowledgement of our efforts to help minority-owned businesses nationwide succeed in building their dreams," said John Canning, President of CIT SBL.

An SBA "preferred lender" in 67 district offices nationwide, CIT SBL offers SBA loans for business acquisition and succession financing, owner-occupied commercial real estate financing, franchise financing, equipment financing, and construction loans.

CIT SBL lends to a variety of small businesses throughout the U.S. with loans ranging from $50,000 to $3 million. CIT SBL is a subsidiary of CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT - News) and has been the nation's number one SBA lender for the last three years.

About CIT Small Business Lending

CIT Small Business Lending offers Small Business Administration loans, franchise financing, construction lending and equipment financing through a network of field representatives. The company's Web site and online SBA loan application are located at http://www.smallbizlending.com .

About CIT

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT - News), a leading commercial and consumer finance company, provides clients with financing and leasing products and advisory services. Founded in 1908, CIT has nearly $50 billion in assets under management and possesses the financial resources, industry expertise and product knowledge to serve the needs of clients across approximately 30 industries. CIT holds leading positions in vendor financing, U.S. factoring, equipment and transportation financing, Small Business Administration loans, and asset-based and credit-secured lending. CIT is headquartered in New York City, with principal offices in Livingston, New Jersey, has approximately 6,000 employees in locations throughout North America, Europe, Latin and South America, and the Pacific Rim. For more information, visit http://www.cit.com .

[Headlines]

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Silicon Valley Leaders Launch Statewide Petition Drive to Urge Legislature to Return Majority Vote Threshold for Traffic Relief

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Contending that gridlock and decay of our roads is undermining California's battered economy, Silicon Valley leaders today announced the launch of a statewide petition drive calling on the Legislature to put a measure before California voters that would lower the threshold for local tax increase measures from two-thirds to 55 percent.

"If the legislature declines to act, we are prepared to gather the million signatures needed to allow voters the power to fund local efforts to keep our communities moving," said Carl Guardino, president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group.

"Because of the current two-thirds requirement, we can no longer build and maintain the roads, transportation systems and transit options vital to California's jobs and economic prosperity," said San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales. "That's why we are beginning immediately to circulate petitions throughout the state to get the signatures of tens of thousands of citizens, urging the Legislature to pass measures now being considered which would lower the voter threshold."

Several state legislators who support just such an approach joined in the news conference at a Highway 85-87 interchange construction site.

"Voters have already proven their willingness to change the two-thirds vote threshold for school bonds. Prop. 39 passed in November 2000 and authorizes a 55-percent approval vote for bonds for repair, construction or replacement of school facilities," said state Sen. Tom Torlakson of Antioch. "And voters in 'self-help' counties have already shown they will put their own dollars forward for transportation," added Torlakson.

Torlakson, who is sponsoring an amendment to permit those counties to renew existing local sales tax measures with majority approval, noted that voters in many counties must reauthorize their local transportation sales taxes in the next few years. "If these taxes are not reauthorized, the state will lose about $48 billion in transportation revenues (adjusted for inflation) during the next 20 years," he warned.

South Bay Assembly member John Dutra has proposed similar legislation, which would permit approval of local sales taxes with a 55 percent majority, as recommended by the Governor's Commission on Building for the 21st Century.

"Californians ought to be able to pick up their kids from soccer practice or get to work safely without significant delays," said Assembly member Manny Diaz, chairman of the state Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Transportation. "It's critical we give local voters the option of taking action to improve their own roads, to provide their own transit, to keep traffic flowing in their own communities."

Diaz added that he will work to get the Legislature to approve the reduced vote requirement because the goal is so critical to the state's economy.

"Over the next 20 years, the population of California will increase by an amount equal to the population of Texas," said Diaz. "California's aging and inadequate transportation system isn't equal to the task of absorbing this growth, or meeting the economic needs of the world's fifth-largest economy."

The coalition sponsoring the signature drive, Taxpayers for Traffic Relief, includes both business and labor representatives. Neil Struthers, Chief Executive Director, Santa Clara & San Benito Counties Building & Construction Trades Council, said he is supporting the effort because the current two-thirds vote requirement is nearly impossible to achieve.

"Of the 40 local transportation sales tax increases that have been attempted in the past 20 years, most passed with solid majority votes but only five have exceeded a two-thirds vote," said Struthers. "Without a change, our economy threatens to grind to a halt."

Guardino noted that reducing the requirement for passing local transportation sales taxes from 67 percent to 55 percent has been a ten- year goal of the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group.

"Until a 1995 state court decision, local voters were empowered to enact transportation improvements by a majority vote. If the 67% requirement had been in place previously, Valley commuters would not have Highway 85, and Highway 237 would still be a two-lane road with six traffic lights," Guardino said.

"Either the Legislature must approve such a step or voters will do it through an initiative, but it is absolutely essential to the economy of this state," he declared.

CONTACT: Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group

Anthony Marek, 408/501-7853

amarek@svmg.org

[Headlines]

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

News Briefs---

Pentagon Ready to Strike Iraq Within Days if Bush Gives the Word, Officials Say

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/06/international/middleeast/06MILI.html?ex=1047531600&en=

bee13570b00208be&ei=5006&partner=ALTAVISTA1

Small German firm becomes the first to announce loss of U.S. business over anti- war stand

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/064/economy/Small_German_firm_becomes_the_:.shtml

Buy U.S. Wine---Not France or German/travel to Portugal/Spain

Dollar Hits Four Year Low After Snow's Comments

http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=

StoryFT&cid=1045511353932&p=1012571727085

Reports from the twelve Federal Reserve Districts generally suggested that

growth in economic activity remained subdued in January and February

http://federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2003/20030305/default.htm

Conseco reaches $1 billion deal to sell finance unit

http://www.absnet.net/include/showfreearticle.asp?file=/headlines/r.htm

A new signature for U.S. currency: John W. Snow

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/064/economy/A_new_signature_for_U_S_curren:.shtml

Consumers Call for Review of FCC Broadband Rules

http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/2105331

Apple Computer expected to launch subscription music service

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/064/economy/Apple_Computer_expected_to_lau:.shtml

Kenneth Starr hired to fight for California's vinters

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20030305-0632-ca-wineindustry-starr.html

Amtrak will use name 'Acela' to describe high-speed trains only

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/064/economy/Amtrak_will_use_name_Acela_to_:.shtml

[Headlines]

Sports Briefs---

Broncos Agree To Terms With QB Jake Plummer

http://www.theredzone.org/news/030503.asp

Blake puts job search in high gear

http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1518941.html

[Headlines]

"Alerts"	"Bad Boys"
"Complaints" Bulletin Board	Pictures from the Past

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Voice: 408-727-6464 Fax: 800-727-2026
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