Bank of PI earns P5.7 B in H1, up 24%.
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) reported yesterday a 24 percent increase in net income to P5.7 billion for the first semester 2007. Return on average equity and return on average assets thus improved to 17.5 percent and 2.0 percent from 15.5 percent and 1.8 percent,...

Keeping the homeownership dream alive: with foreclosures at an all-time high, lawmakers are working to help people keep their homes.
Long touted as the American dream, homeownership is at its highest ever. But with rising interest rates and the growing number of houses in foreclosure, owning a home may be some people's worst nightmare. Buying a home can be a confusing, complicated transaction--and cost a lot of...

You are not alone.
Most of us will remember an unspecific day, hour or minute in our lives when we first had a coin to spend as we wished. It probably happened in a neighborhood corner store at the penny-candy counter. Did we appreciate the full significance of the occasion, the coming together...

A culture of debt.
'Another day older and deeper in debt." In the old country song, that's what you got after you loaded "16 tons of number nine coal." That was back in the day when a hard-working man could still die singing, "I owe my soul to the company store." ...

Industry risk report: Internet retail.
INDUSTRY RISK REPORT INTERNET RETAIL The ages-old challenge of mitigating risks to the supply chain remains paramount for retailers, whether they rely on the Internet-only channel or whether they are traditional brick-and-mortar companies building out their Web sites. In addition, international expansion in the quest for profits also carries...

Monetary mayhem: the world's central bankers are creating currency and "out of thin air" at an astounding rate. The consequences will be devastating.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gold fever is back, with futures surging to an all-time high above $880 an ounce on January 8, after enjoying a run-up in 2007 of nearly 32 percent against the dollar. Gold for February delivery hit $880.30 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange,...

Bible paves way to fiscal freedom; Churchgoers heed broadcast.
Byline: Mary Jo Hill WESTMINSTER - With talk about a recession looming, congregants in about 140 churches across the country tuned in yesterday to a satellite broadcast that laid out a road map to guide them in managing their money in accordance with the Bible. ...

China Bank pushes diversification.
Byline: Fil C. Sionil China Banking Corporation (China Bank) will pursue its diversification strategy that would allow it to hit a stride in this severe competitive environment with an end in view of maintaining its foothold in the domestic banking industry. Ricardo Chua, China Bank...

IMF head reverses course, calls for global spendathon.
The head of the International Monetary Fund told central bankers, commercial bankers, business titans, finance ministers, and economists at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that the world needs massive deficit spending, asserting that merely reducing interest rates will not be sufficient to "stimulate" the global economy....

Country Coach lays off workers.
Byline: Tim Christie The Register-Guard JUNCTION CITY - RV manufacturer Country Coach Inc. said Wednesday that it was laying off 8 percent of its work force - estimated to be about 100 people - effective immediately, because of difficult market conditions. Things are tough all...