Credit Research News - March, 2008

Tax relief has schools worried

School bus fleets may get older and smaller. Students within a mile of school may have to find their own transport.

Hawaiian Telcom Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Results

Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc. today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year 2007.

Consolidation Through Loans or Agency´s Services?

When debt consolidation has become unavoidable due to the amount of debt you have accumulated, there is still a question

Credit card debt a pricey problem

Paul Martin III never thought he’d fall into debt. After all, he was gainfully employed for more than 40 years

City's bond debt is acceptable, many say

Anchorage's debt keeps on growing.

St. George a popular place to hit the links

Dorothy and Jedd Kofoed divide their time living in both Washington City and Idaho.

New options eyed for rating consumers' credit

Don't be surprised if a lender wants to know if you pay your rent on time or bounce checks before it will let you borrow money.

Get a New Life through Online Debt Consolidation

Debt consolidation services provide a unique elucidation to the indebted people by helping the individuals in getting relief from various heavy debts.

Visit puts spotlight on growing service

Joel Greenberg spent enough time advising family, friends and corporations about financial problems that he figured there might be a big demand for his services.

Superior Well Services Shares Jump

Superior Well Services Shares Rally After Jefferies Analyst Rates Company "Buy"

Your best investment? Paying off that debt

Sure, stocks are much cheaper now than they were at the first of the year. So are houses.

S&P says deal won't ConAgra ratings

Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's (NYSE:MHP) Ratings Services on Thursday said ConAgra (NYSE:CAG) Foods Inc.

States, cities move to refinance debt

States, cities, hospitals and major public agencies battered by wild interest rate swings in one sector of the municipal bond market

Allen-Vanguard announces commitment letter from RBC Capital Markets for new credit facilities

Allen-Vanguard Corporation (the "Company" or "Allen-Vanguard") (TSX: VRS) of Ottawa, Canada today announced that it has executed a commitment letter for secured credit facilities

K.C.’s financial future is on rocky road

More than three years ago, then City Auditor Mark Funkhouser warned the City Council of the city’s growing debt.

Fitch Rates Fresno Joint Powers Finance Authority (CA) $41.6MM Lease Revs 'A+'

Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A+' rating to city of Fresno Joint Powers Financing Authority (JPFA), California's approximately $39.5 million

Borrowing hurts state’s future

I often wonder what our Founding Fathers would think about our nation today.

A Great Service to get Free from Debt Burden

Summary: The task of dealing with debt related issues can be easily sorted out with the help of debt management plans.

Fitch Rates Denver International Airport, Colorado's $456MM Revs 'A+'; Outlook Stable

Fitch assigns an underlying 'A+' rating to approximately $456 million City and County of Denver, Colorado, (the city), series 2008A airport system

TEXT-S&P release on International Transmission Company

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services raised its issue-level rating on International Transmission Company's (ITC) $285 million

Fitch Rates N. Mississippi Health Services (MS) S-T at 'F1+'; Affirms L-T at 'AA'

Fitch Ratings has assigned a short-term rating of 'F1+' to North Mississippi Health Services (NMHS) based on its self-liquidity

Mosaic Co senior unsecured debt raised to 'BB+' - S&P

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services raised its ratings on The Mosaic Co's and its subsidiary Mosaic Global Holdings Inc's

S&P raises outlook on DFW Airport debt

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said Monday it has raised its outlook on $3.7 billion in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

No tax hikes or service cuts expected for budget, says mayor

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality council will look to pass the budget this week without any tax increases or service cuts, said Mayor John Morgan.

Fitch Rates Los Angeles (CA) Wastewater $316MM Sub Revs 'AA-'; Upgrades Outstanding Sr & Sub Bonds

Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AA-' unenhanced long-term rating to Los Angeles, California's (the city) outstanding $315.8 million

Fitch Affs Providence Health & Svcs (Washington) at 'AA'; Assigns 'F1+' S-T Rtg; Outlook to Stable

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the 'AA' long-term ratings on Providence Health & Services' (PHS) approximately $1.48 billion

S&P Cuts Outlook on AMR Debt Rating

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its outlook Monday on the long-term ratings of American Airlines and its parent to "Negative" from "Positive"

Brazos Education Quits Student Loans Amid Auction Market Woes

Brazos Higher Education Service Corp., the fourth-largest holder of guaranteed student loans in the U.S.,

Taxpayer Alert! Dirty Dozen Tax Scams

Taxpayers are always looking for ways to cut tax bills. Unfortunately, scam operators are always looking for filers who are eager to find tax breaks.

Executives Find Ways To Keep Moving Ahead Despite Economic Fears

The collapse of financial titan Bear Stearns last week heightened concerns among executives across industries

Debt Buyers Turn to CreditAssist to Reach Debtors with Launch of DebtBuyerAssist Referral Program

CreditAssist Financial Services, a Debt Settlement company located in Euless, Texas announces the launch of DebtBuyerAssist, a new debt buyer referral program that improves debt buyers' account contact and liquidation rates.

Debt crisis creates work

GreenPath Inc. said high demand for its debt, bankruptcy and housing counseling services will create more than 60 jobs

Many investors find it hard to believe that some of the largest companies in the country could be ta

Weary investors are tired of the market volatility being created by America's debt mess and wonder when it will all get back to normal.

Big Mergers For A Recession Economy, Do Firms Like Ford, Citigroup, and Sears Go Away?

Many investors find it hard to believe that some of the largest companies in the country could be taken over and cease to be independent public corporations.

Debt-Relief Lifelines Often Fall Short

Granville Jones knew he was spending beyond his means after he racked up $90,000 largely in credit-card debt-$10,000

Lake County's tax relief less than most

The recently concluded General Assembly approved a property tax relief package that caps bills at 1 percent of a home's assessed valuation

Communities in debt

Bewilderment would be the best way to describe Rochester Council Vice President Grant White’s confusion at how his town wound up

Collection Agencies Add Scarce Jobs in Hard-Hit Region

In an unremarkable strip mall in the south end of this city, workers were installing 144 new desks last month at Capital Management Services.

Operational Funds, Debt Pay for AT&T Spectrum

AT&T will be dipping into operational funds and accruing debt to pay off its recent spectrum purchases, according to government filings.

Moody's, Fitch Weigh Muni Rating Shift on Pressure From States

Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings took steps to address calls by public officials from California to Congress

Moody's to change how it rates munis

Facing pressure from Capitol Hill to level the bond-rating field, a major credit rating agency plans to evaluate bonds

Fitch Rates Indianapolis Thermal Energy System's (Indiana) $55MM Bonds 'A'; Upgrades Outstanding

Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A' rating to The City of Indianapolis, Indiana Thermal Energy System's (Thermal Energy System

Moody's cuts MGIC debt rating, may cut again

Moody's Investors Service on Thursday cut its rating on MGIC Investment Corp (MTG.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the largest U.S. mortgage insurer,

The uncontrollable factors that contribute to growth of town budget

Sudbury is a community known for outstanding schools. But property taxes also pay for services provided by town government

HBOS Q&A: Banking turmoil

HBOS does have some exposure to the type of mortgage-related debt that has caused so many problems for US banks.

Credit Counsel Service, Counseling Debt, Help Avoid Banktruptcy

Nearly half of all American families are living with high balances of debt. More than 40% spend more each year than they own

ClearOne Debt Relief Partners with Commission Junction, a Global Leader in Performance Marketing

ClearOne Debt Relief expands its online marketing platform to cj.com; enhancing ClearOne's current marketing strategy.

Christian Debt Counsel, Christian Debt Service Helps Christian with Debt

According to a 2007 study done on American households, 43% of American families spend much more than they earn each year.

Reliance Rail senior debt's underlying rating lowered to 'BBB+' from 'A-'- S&P

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it has lowered its underlying ratings on Reliance Rail Finance Pty Ltd's 2.25 bln

Fitch Rates Chicago Transit Authority, Illinois' $250MM Sec. 5307 Bonds & Sec. 5309 Bonds 'A'

Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A' rating to the $100 million Chicago Transit Authority, Illinois (CTA, or the authority) capital grant receipts

Fitch Rates City of Atwater Public Finance Auth (CA) $20.9MM Wastewater Revs 'BBB'

Fitch Ratings assigns a 'BBB' rating to $20,875,000 Atwater Public Financing Authority, California wastewater revenue bonds, series 2008.

FRHSD delivers $174.6 million budget

Public hearing tonight at high school district offices in Englishtown

Experts: Cut won't affect consumers in short term

The federal interest rate cut will not lower the cost of groceries or a tank of gas and will not inject extra cash into consumers' pockets

Harvard Law plan good news for public sector

Harvard Law School's unprecedented initiative to waive the final year of tuition for students who agree to work in the public sector

Fremont General's counterparty rating cut to 'D' on interest payment delay - S&P

Standard & Poor's (NYSE:MHP) Ratings Services has lowered Fremont General (NYSE:FMT PR) (NYSE:FMT) Corp's long-term counterparty credit rating

Rockport officials considering debt-exclusion overrides

Selectmen will decide whether to recommend a $2.68 million debt exclusion override to pay for a new firetruck,

Credit Agencies Affirm CSX Debt Ratings

Three major credit rating agencies on Monday affirmed the debt ratings of CSX Corp., saying that strong earnings and efficiency

Moody's Cuts International Paper Outlook

Moody's Investors Service on Monday revised its outlook on International Paper Co. to "Negative" from "Stable,"

Hercules Technology Provides Combination of $10.5 Million in Debt

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTGC), the premier specialty finance company providing venture debt

The Corrosive Consequences of the Trade Deficit

Today, the Commerce Department reported the 2007 current account deficit was $738.6 billion, down from $811.5

Workflow Management rating cut to 'B-'; off negative watch - S&P

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its corporate credit rating on Workflow Management Inc to 'B-' from 'B'

Paulson Says He'll `Do What It Takes' to Calm Markets (Update5)

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, defending the bailout of Bear Stearns Cos., said policy makers will do whatever is needed

Fed swap may help economy, but slowly

The Fed's $200 billion debt swap should loosen credit, but it may take months -- and still be but a drop in the bucket.

St. Joseph County leaders worry property tax bill will mean massive local cuts

Property tax bills are about to take a dive, but not everyone is on board with the plan. Some local leaders say it takes away equal relief for homeowners

Debt Reckoning: U.S. Receives a Margin Call

The U.S. is at the receiving end of a massive margin call: Across the economy, wary lenders are demanding that borrowers put up more collateral or sell assets to reduce debts.

Fitch Rates Rancho California Water District's $212.5MM Revs 'AA'; Outlook Stable

Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AA' rating to Rancho California Water District Financing Authority's (the authority) refunding revenue bonds as follows:

S&P Downgrades MoneyGram

Standard & Poor's Downgrades MoneyGram, Saying Investment Deal Piles on Too Much Debt

Fitch Affirms Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc. (Indiana) at 'AA'

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the 'AA' rating on approximately $812 million of outstanding hospital revenue bonds issued on behalf of Sisters

Insurance Drops for Municipal Debt, Undermines MBIA (Update3)

Demand for municipal bond insurance is shrinking at the fastest pace in the industry's 36-year history.

Western Refining's Debt Under Review

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said Thursday it is reviewing the debt of Western Refining Inc., an independent gasoline producer

Budget wrangling centers on spending for public schools

The mayor says he wants to assign $27 million in city services to the school board to make it clear where tax money goes

Moody's plans new muni system

Moody's Investors Service plans to rate municipal debt on the same scale used to grade corporate bonds if such treatment

Proposed jail budget up over $2 million

The Two Bridges Regional Jail's proposed operating budget for 2008-2009 is $7.8 million, an increase of over $2 million,

Target in talks to sell some credit-card debt

Target Corp. said today that it is negotiating to sell about half of its credit-card receivables -- the money owed to Target by customers using its credit cards

Debt Consolidation – Savior from Trouble

If the conditions arise such that you find yourself in multiple debts and trying to come out of them, this may seem an uphill task at first hand.

Supes seek second hospital grant

A public hearing on a $600,000 federal grant to construct a new emergency room at the county hospital has been scheduled for March 27, officials said.

Fix how muni bonds are rated - officials

Both federal lawmakers and state officials contend that system needs to align itself with way corporate debt is rated.

House's Frank Says Muni-Bond Ratings Are `Ridiculous' (Update2)

U.S. Representative Barney Frank gave ratings companies a month to fix ``ridiculous'' standards that they apply to local government debt,

A second look at debt servicers

The nation's credit crunch is driving many toward insolvency and foreclosure. Some of the people caught in this mess

Supervisors budget to 'spend down' balance

The Board of Supervisors for Buena Vista County has proposed its budget for fiscal year 2009 with revenues and other financing sources

Cohen backs $14.9 million override

Mayor David Cohen is throwing his support behind a one-year fix override of $14.9 million, calling the plan both strong and reasonable.

Fuel prices, economy causes S&P to review airline debt ratings

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services said Tuesday it is reviewing the credit ratings of all 10 U.S. airlines it follows

Fitch Rates University Retirement Community at Davis, California 'BBB+'; Outlook Stable

Fitch Ratings has assigned underlying 'BBB+' ratings to the $46,000,000 California Statewide Communities Development Authority

Vance: In support of the Albright/Hess-Mahan override proposal

Override season, which comes annually for many Massachusetts municipalities, has returned to Newton after a six-year hiatus.

Profiting from woes a bad idea

Once again, Maryland legislators may allow for-profit companies to offer debt management services to consumers here.

Profiting from woes a bad idea

Once again, Maryland legislators may allow for-profit companies to offer debt management services to consumers here.

Consolidation Loans: Debt Management Services to Lower your Financial Burden

Since all of us are not born with a silver spoon in our mouth, we need to arrange for finances .

RH Donnelley ratings affirmed ; outlook cut to negative - Moody's

Moody's Investors Services said it has affirmed all of RH Donnelley Corp's ratings, including its 'B1' corporate family rating

S&P raises Basic Energy Services to 'BB-'

Standard & Poor's (NYSE:MHP) Ratings Services on Monday upgraded oilfield services company Basic Energy Services (NYSE:BAS) Inc.,

California Dumps Auction Debt; States Push on Ratings (Update1)

California, New York City and the owner of the World Trade Center site will replace auction-rate debt this week,

Prospect Capital Makes Additional Secured Term C Debt Investment in Unitek

Prospect Capital Corporation (NASDAQ: PSEC) ("Prospect") announced today that it has made an additional secured Term C debt investment

Free seminar focuses on foreclosure, debt

The new year began with a more than 100 percent jump in foreclosure notices for the month of January over the previous year.

Couple adopt aggressive plan to cut debt

With retirement just around the corner, Jerry and Sheila Dearie are preparing themselves for the last stretch of hard work and heavy savings.

City Council to talk restructuring debts

City councilmen will be asked to approve the readjustment of a portion of the city's debt payments to help relieve financial pressures when they meet Tuesday.

Authority needs millions in repairs, board chair says

The Hazleton City Authority is looking at a long list of repair projects.

Debt Relief Network Addresses Debt Settlement

Debt Relief Network the proven leader in the debt elimination industry offers a proven, legal approach to total debt elimination.

County cutting jobs

Lackawanna County will be laying off an undetermined number of the county’s 1,700 employees to make up for an expected $7.5 million

Free Debt Consolidation – Freedom From Loans At Last

Many people today are loosing a lot of money in the form of interest payments for loans received for various reasons like home

Fitch Rates California Public Works Board $63.4MM Lease Revs 'A'; Rating Watch Negative

Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A' rating to the following lease revenue bonds of the State Public Works Board (PWB) of the State of California:

Fitch Rates Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Auth (CT) Wastewater Revs 'A-';

Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A-' rating to Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority, Connecticut's (the authority) approximately $18.1 million

H&E Equipment Services Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Results

H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: HEES: 13.41, -0.47, -3.38%) today announced operating results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2007.

County budget hearing Tuesday; additional deputy proposed

Floyd County taxpayers will notice a slightly lower tax rate, though bills may increase because of rising property values.

Too Much Debt? Too Bad

These days, credit-card companies aren't so willing to ratchet down rates for some strapped consumers

State sues two more debt-help agencies

The heavy load of credit card debt can make hiring a debt-negotiating company an appealing choice for consumers trying to turn the page on unpaid bills.

City budget unveiled in “difficult economic environment”

Radford City Manager Tony Cox unveiled a nearly $50 million 2008-09 city budget Monday evening, with a $20.9 million general fund.

JeffCo assuages employee fears

The financial crisis over Jefferson County’s sewer debt will not cause layoffs or otherwise effect employee benefits, Commission President Bettye Fine Collins said Thursday morning.

Hospital debt capacity to be determined

A second study to determine Neshoba County General Hospital's borrowing capacity was ordered by the Board of Supervisors Monday

Audit: KC faces 'long-term structural budget problem'

Kansas City's expenditures are increasing faster than its revenue, the general fund balance is "extremely low" and capital maintenance

Tyler to flush away underdevelopement

At its most recent meeting, the Tyler City Council voted without dissent in favor of a proposal to permit the sale of utility bonds

Debt Solution Companies Affordable Debt Solutions, LLC and Smartfin Announce Authorized Agency

Affordable Debt Solutions, LLC announces partnership with Smartfin. Together, the companies will work to provide debt settlement and management for clients, offering a robust program with the capability to adjust to new state and governmental agency regulations in the debt settlement industry.

Fitch Rates Syracuse (NY) Industrial Devel. Agency's $46MM School Facility Revs 'A'

Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A' rating to the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency's (the IDA) approximately $46 million school facility revenue bonds

Lawmakers ask SEC to allow bond buybacks

The call to let local governments, public agencies and other bond issuers buy back their own debt is getting louder.

US Congress urges suspension of Haiti debt payments

Rep. Maxine Waters has sent a letter to US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, urging him to use his influence to expedite the cancellation of Haiti's debts

Kellogg's proposed 750 mln usd senior unsecured notes rated 'BBB+' - S&P

Standard & Poor's (NYSE:MHP) Ratings Services said it assigned a 'BBB+' rating to Kellogg Co's (NYSE:K) proposed 750 mln usd

Debt financing, elasticity in state budget are musts for education

In 1989, construction began on the University of Arizona's Fine Arts Complex, marking the end of an era.

Know your rights on debt collection

LTD Financial Services, a Texas debt-collection firm, recently paid more than $1.3 million to settle Federal Trade Commission

Medicine costs for N.J. poor may rise

Some senior citizens and low-income residents may have to pay more for their prescription drugs under Gov. Jon S. Corzine's budget proposal.

Audits Sting Hospitals, Physicians

In coming weeks, private audit companies will begin scouring mountains of medical records.

Beware of ads to help pay off debt that sound too good to be true

I have been yelling at some radio ads lately ... yes yelling. I spend about an hour per day commuting to and from work