AFP - US retailer Banana Republic is investigating claims that factory workers in India that make its clothes are made to work long hours for little pay under poor conditions, The Guardian said on Thursday.

Eagle Merchant Services, a seasoned merchant service provider operating for over eleven years, has launched their first ever free credit card machine program to prove that good things don't have to come with strings attached. The program started in early March 2008. Eagle Merchant Services' limited-time program includes a new (not refurbished) Hypercom T7 Plus credit card machine absolutely free to qualified merchants. Yet unlike other merchant service providers, Eagle Merchant Services is staying committed to its long-standing lowest cost guarantee defined as - "Eagle's total cost for your merchant account and credit card processing is the lowest available." (PRWeb Mar 19, 2008)

Read the full story at http://ww1.prweb.com/releases/2008/03/prweb786014.htm

Reuters - Warning of an economic "tailspin,"
Starbucks Corp outlined long-awaited plans to turn
around its U.S. business on Wednesday, but details from new
coffee machines to a rewards program for frequent customers
failed to excite investors, who sent shares down 4 percent.

Reuters - Bear Stearns Cos shareholders
like tycoon Joseph Lewis are hoping that another suitor will
emerge to challenge JPMorgan Chase & Co , but their best
hope may be prying a few extra dollars from JPMorgan itself,
analysts said.

TBA Lending will run their informative ads on network affiliates HGTV, The Discovery Channel, The Travel Channel, and the TLC channel later this month. With the ability to serve not only the local Cincinnati area but the rest of the nation as well, TBA Lending's clients find themselves utilizing www.TBALending.com to aid in their search for their next new home loan, commercial loan, or refinancing options. (PRWeb Mar 19, 2008)

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Refinance.com, the nation's premier source for home mortgage refinancing, announces its national FHA Mortgage Hotline to help consumers understand the impact of today's Federal Reserve action on interest rates and other recent government actions related to mortgages and interest rates. Homeowners nationwide can call 1-888-FHA-1776 to get answers to their mortgage questions. (PRWeb Mar 19, 2008)

Read the full story at http://ww1.prweb.com/releases/2008/03/prweb784664.htm

PersonalHomeLoanMortgages.com released a report of online consumer financial services trends based on an analysis of more than 150,000 prospective borrowers and policy holders. Of particular note was a significant drop off during the second half of February related to real estate loans despite overall increases in online mortgage loan applications over Q4 '07. (PRWeb Mar 19, 2008)

Read the full story at http://ww1.prweb.com/releases/finance/trends/prweb782524.htm

While Federal Reserve watchers disagree about the impact of its cuts on mortgage rates, a look at historical data shows how the Fed's rates impact--and don't impact--various mortgage products. LoanBiz.com takes this data and combines it with expert commentary for a comprehensive look at how Fed rate changes affect the economy and consumers' personal finances. (PRWeb Mar 19, 2008)

Read the full story at http://ww1.prweb.com/releases/2008/03/prweb785664.htm

brokersXpress today announced the hiring of Lisa N. Julin, 36, as Director of Recruiting. brokersXpress, a wholly owned subsidiary of optionsXpress Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OXPS), provides an online trading and reporting platform for independent investment advisors and registered representatives. (PRWeb Mar 19, 2008)

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For 15 years, BTF Management Consultants Inc. has specialized in solving business problems for turnarounds, rollups, and acquisitions for small- to medium-sized businesses. BTF believes that each client should first determine their willingness to accept help and fix problems before engaging a consulting firm. (PRWeb Mar 19, 2008)

Read the full story at http://ww1.prweb.com/releases/2008/03/prweb778944.htm