KeyBank Receives Seventh Consecutive 'Outstanding' Rating from OCC on Community Reinvestment Act Exam

CLEVELAND, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has awarded KeyBank an "outstanding" rating for exceeding the terms of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Enacted in 1977, the CRA requires banks to meet the credit needs of low- and moderate-income communities across America. Key is the only national bank among the 50 largest to be rated "outstanding" by the OCC seven review periods in a row.

KeyBank's CRA compliance was found to be outstanding through a rigorous year-long exam process that rates financial institutions in terms of lending, investment, and services practices. In making its assessment, the OCC evaluates mortgages, retail and small-business banking, and community development lending, investments and service. For both the overall rating and the three subcategories, banks are assigned one of the four statutory ratings: outstanding, satisfactory, need to improve, or substantial noncompliance. Key received an outstanding in all three subcategories. The OCC assesses the CRA performance of a bank in an examination every three to four years, and Key's recent exam covered January 1, 2003 through June 30, 2008.

"We are honored to receive this important national recognition," said Henry L. Meyer III, KeyCorp chairman and chief executive officer, "and we will continue delivering resources that help local people and projects succeed in urban areas, especially through our Community Development Banking segment and the KeyBank Foundation. The need to invest in our neighborhoods and reach out to underserved residents is more crucial than ever."

"As Cleveland's hometown bank since 1825, and the largest bank headquartered in Cleveland, we feel a special responsibility to support the individuals, families and neighborhoods in Northeast Ohio," said Cleveland District President Lisa Oliver. "We are committed to helping our neighborhoods remain vital, helping residents achieve financial stability and success, and helping businesses and nonprofits grow. The partnership with our neighbors is strong, and our CRA rating confirms that we are investing where it's needed most."

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While the bank has concentrated on underserved areas for decades, in 2004, it honed its focus to bring banking services to low to moderate income (LMI) consumers, through a program called KeyBank Plus. Today, KeyBank Plus offers a full array of products and services beyond traditional banking, including: the cashing of government and payroll checks for low fees that are below industry standards, free financial education (13 courses called "Learn and Earn"), savings products, a credit repair service called "Loan Assist," money orders, a checkless checking account accessible with an ATM card called Checkless Access, and an array of mortgage products for first time homebuyers. KeyBank Plus, since its inception, has served more than 29,000 customers and processed 133,000 check cashing transactions, totaling $87 million.

Beyond an innovative approach to the consumer, KeyBank brings both debt and equity investments to commercial economic development projects to stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods and provide affordable housing. Those investments include construction lending, permanent financing, working capital lines, lines of credit, tax credit financing and equity investment. Through its Community Development Lending segment, Key has financed the construction of more than 79,000 affordable housing units, designed for individuals who earn less than 60 percent the average median income in the United States. Currently, Key has a total of $2.2 billion extended in underserved communities throughout its 14-state footprint.

"We have developed a business model that is both of service to the community and viable for us. We meet our compliance requirements, but then consistently aim to go beyond compliance to full commitment," said Bruce Murphy, president of Key's Community Development Banking segment. "In the end, we strike a balance between 'mission and margin'."

Other factors that led to Key's "outstanding" rating include Key's commitment to supplier diversity and focus on philanthropy. Key spends 14 percent of its overall vendor costs with minority- and women-owned businesses (M/WBEs), versus the industry average of 4 percent, and, since 2001, has spent more than half a billion dollars with M/WBEs. Through the KeyBank Foundation, KeyCorp distributed more than $18 million to nonprofits in 2008 alone.

Significant community achievements specific to Key's Cleveland District include:
-- KeyBank currently has more than $269 million in loans and more than $72 million in equity extended to local development projects. -- 9,500 individuals have benefitted from nontraditional bank products through KeyBank Plus. -- 9,555 individuals have taken Key's free financial education courses. -- In 2009, Key's free tax preparation day, Super Refund Saturday, helped return $797,056 in refunds to low- and moderate-income residents. -- From 2004-2008, KeyBank gave more than $19 million to local nonprofits. -- Neighbors Make the Difference Day, which started as a beach cleanup in 1993, has evolved into an annual bank-wide day of volunteerism in local neighborhoods. In 2009, more than 2,500 employees from the Cleveland area volunteered on this day. -- Key has financed 7,999 affordable housing units in the Cleveland District. -- Key spent more than $15 million with M/WBEs between 2004 and 2008. -- KeyBank is the top contributor to the United Way in Cleveland.

Medtronic Expects New Data on Drug-Eluting Stents and Transcatheter Heart Valves to Feature at TCT 2009

Company’s CardioVascular Business to Showcase Innovative Product Portfolio, Technology Pipeline and Clinical Research at Annual Meeting of Interventional Cardiologists

MINNEAPOLIS – Sept. 18, 2009 – Expecting new data on drug-eluting stents and transcatheter heart valves to feature prominently at Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) 2009 next week in San Francisco, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), today announced plans to showcase its innovative cardiovascular product portfolio, technology pipeline and clinical research at the world’s premier annual meeting for interventional cardiologists.

Three-year results from ENDEAVOR IV (n=1,548) – the large prospective, multicenter 1:1 randomized controlled trial comparing Medtronic’s Endeavor® zotarolimus-eluting coronary stent to Boston Scientific’s Taxus® paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent on the composite safety-and-efficacy endpoint of target vessel failure – will be presented Monday afternoon, at approximately 5:28 pm Pacific time, during The Drug-Eluting Stent Summit Part 1 in Room 104 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. Principal investigator Dr. Martin B. Leon of New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and the Cardiovascular Research Foundation will make the presentation.

In addition, three-year results from RESOLUTE (n=129) – the single-arm feasibility study of Medtronic’s next-generation Resolute® zotarolimus-eluting coronary stent – will be released on Monday morning, at approximately 8:00 am Pacific time, at the TCT Web site, www.tctconference.com.

TCT 2009 also features a series of posters and presentations on Medtronic’s unique transcatheter valve (TCV) portfolio, which include the Melody® transcatheter pulmonary valve and the CoreValve® and Ventor® transcatheter aortic valves. Medtronic is committed to leading the development of transcatheter valves for all four positions of the heart: aortic, mitral, pulmonic and tricuspid.

The Melody and CoreValve TCVs are approved for use in clinical practice only outside the United States; the Ventor system is an investigational device worldwide. All three TCVs are investigational in the United States. The U.S. clinical study of the CoreValve TCV is expected to start in mid-2010, pending Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval by the FDA. The international feasibility study of the Ventor TCV is expected to complete enrollment by the end of 2009.

Medtronic offers a variety of coronary stents to address the spectrum of clinical need for patients with coronary artery disease. The Endeavor and Resolute stents share the same advanced cobalt alloy platform and cytostatic antiproliferative drug. They also both feature highly biocompatible polymers that contribute to their distinct long-term safety and durable efficacy profiles.

The Endeavor stent is approved for use in clinical practice worldwide. The Resolute stent is approved for use in clinical practice only outside the United States; the U.S. IDE clinical study of the Resolute stent, RESOLUTE US (n=1,399), is underway and expected to complete enrollment by the end of 2009.

Starting Wednesday, when the TCT exhibit hall opens at the Moscone Center, Medtronic staff will showcase the full breadth and depth of the company’s cardiovascular innovations at booth 1911.

Medtronic CardioVascular is committed to advancing the treatment of coronary, peripheral, aortic and structural heart disease through collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide.

Plum Creek Renamed to Dow Jones Sustainability Index

SEATTLE, Sep 17, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc. (NYSE:PCL) today announced that Dow Jones has renamed the company to its Dow Jones Sustainability Index that tracks the economic, environmental and social performance of companies.

The review of companies is based on a thorough analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing such criteria as corporate governance, risk management, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards, labor practices and more.

"At Plum Creek, we believe that our efforts to be socially, environmentally and economically responsible contribute to our overall business success, and we are pleased that our commitment to sustainability has been reinforced through our inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index," said Rick Holley, Plum Creek's president and chief executive officer.

"Plum Creek has long conducted its business with a strong commitment to sustainability," Holley continued. "In 1999, Plum Creek was the first company to have all of its lands third-party certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers to the standards of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative(R). Today, Plum Creek continues this commitment and looks forward to helping address global sustainability concerns through carbon sequestration initiatives and by working to supply renewable energy markets."

Constellation Energy Receives Top Rating on Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index

Corporate-wide diversity initiatives and non-discrimination policies earn Constellation Energy a score of 100 percent for second consecutive year

BALTIMORE, Sep 17, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG) today announced that it has received a top rating on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the second consecutive year. The CEI, which rates 590 businesses on a scale of 0 to 100 percent, is focused on a company's treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors.

"Constellation Energy knows that by embracing and integrating diversity and inclusion into all aspects of our business, we make this company more valuable for all of our stakeholders," said Charles A. Berardesco, senior vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer, Constellation Energy. "Earning a perfect rating for the second consecutive year demonstrates our continuing commitment to implementing policies and best practices that support a diverse and inclusive corporate culture."

Berardesco, the chair of Constellation Energy's Diversity Council, is also a member of the Business Council for the Human Rights Campaign.

Constellation Energy routinely implements best practices to help cultivate and promote a culture of diversity and inclusion throughout the organization. One such best practice includes the formation of the company's Diversity Council, which is made up of a cross-functional team of leaders from throughout the enterprise and is now in its second successful year. Other diversity initiatives throughout the company include diversity training, non-discrimination policies and employer-provided domestic partner health insurance and benefits.

"The Corporate Equality Index 2010 shows that, even in the most challenging economy, leading employers are forging ahead of federal and state law to recruit and retain a diverse workforce -- regardless of employees' sexual orientation and gender identity or expression," said Human Rights Campaign Foundation President Joe Solmonese. "While Congress considers a federal law that prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, businesses can take immediate steps to ensure all employees in their workforce are treated fairly today. These 305 businesses, and all employers actively working to improve their rating, set an example for all U.S. employers, including the federal government."

The 2010 edition of the CEI reports that 305 businesses achieved a perfect score, a 20 percent increase over last year, when the number was 260. The 305 top-rated businesses collectively employ more than 9 million full-time employees. These workers are protected from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because of their employers' policies on diversity and inclusion, training and benefits.

WellPoint Named a Top Place to Work by LATINA Style Magazine

Company chosen from more than 800 as one of the "Top Twelve Companies of the Year" for magazine's "LATINA Style 50 Report"

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) today announced its selection as one of LATINA Style magazine's "Top Twelve Companies of the Year." This is the second consecutive year WellPoint has been included in the magazine's 50 Report. More than 800 companies were considered for the list.

"The recognition by LATINA Style magazine is an acknowledgment that our mission to improve the lives of our members and health of our communities is accomplished through building and cultivating a diverse, inclusive workforce," said Angela Braly, president and CEO of WellPoint. "It is no longer enough to be sensitive to your customers' cultural and linguistic differences; you must also fashion a workforce that is truly representative of the communities you serve."

WellPoint, along with associate Tammy Truxillo Tucker, vice president for California Large Group account management, will be featured in the August 2009 issue of LATINA Style magazine and recognized during the Feb. 4, 2010, LATINA Style Awards Ceremony & Diversity Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.

"At WellPoint, diversity and inclusion are not just words on paper but are key tenants of our approach to building a dynamic workforce that truly represents our customers," said David Casey, vice president and chief diversity officer for WellPoint. "I'm proud that for the second consecutive year LATINA Style magazine has recognized WellPoint for our inclusive hiring practices, diverse talent retention initiatives and efforts to develop WellPoint's next generation of business leaders."

The LATINA Style announcement continues a recent string of awards WellPoint has received for its diversity and inclusion practices. WellPoint was recently recognized as a DiversityInc. "2009 Top 50 Company for Diversity," National Association for Female Executives "Top Companies for Women Executives," and Profiles in Diversity Journal "Diversity Leader" award. More information about WellPoint's commitments can be found at www.wellpointdiversity.com.

The LATINA Style 50 issue serves as an annual diversity guide for the 600,000 Latinas who are professionals, entrepreneurs and college students across the nation. In addition, The LATINA Style 50 is also a permanent feature on www.latinastyle.com.

Fifth Third Bancorp Extended $6.2 Billion in Credit in July

Cincinnati – Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: FITB), in conjunction with the U.S. Treasury, has announced that it extended $6.2 billion in loans in the month of July.

“Given the continued economic uncertainly, many companies are scaling back plans for capital expenditures and are reducing inventory levels – actions that have lowered the need for financing,” said Kevin T. Kabat, chairman, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bancorp. “Even with that in mind, Fifth Third Bank made $6. billion in loans to qualified borrowers in July 2.”

Some highlights include:

• Mortgage loan originations totaled $2.1 billion, driven by $1.6 billion of refinancing activity and over $550 million of new home purchases.
• More than $148 million of home equity lines of credit were extended during the month.
• New credit card extensions decreased from $168 million in June to $102 million in July.
• A total of $265 million of small business loans were originated, an area where demand has remained relatively stable throughout 2009.
• Overall, average total commercial loan and lease balances were up over $700 million, or 1.5 percent in July.

Symantec to Webcast Annual Stockholder Meeting

CUPERTINO, CA, Sep 16, 2009 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC) today announced that it will webcast its annual stockholder meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at noon ET/9 a.m. PT.

Interested parties may access a live webcast of the meeting at http://www.symantec.com/invest. To listen to the webcast, please go to the Web site at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay will be available on the investor relations home page shortly after the meeting is completed.

LSI Named to 2009 InformationWeek 500

Company ranked among most innovative U.S. technology users

MILPITAS, Calif., September 16, 2009 – LSI Corporation (NYSE: LSI) today announced that it has been named to the 2009 InformationWeek 500, an annual listing of the nation’s most innovative users of business technology, which was revealed this week at an awards ceremony held during the 2009 InformationWeek 500 Conference.

In May 2009, LSI completed a multi-year ERP consolidation that was precipitated by the 2007 merger of LSI and Agere Systems Inc., two similarly-sized technology companies. An essential element of the consolidation was an innovative approach to business modeling and subcontractor integration. In an effort to achieve a seamless, integrated supply chain, all suppliers were consolidated onto a single platform, providing LSI a high level of visibility into its global supply network.

"Consolidation of the LSI and Agere ERP systems was essential to creating a tightly coupled, global supply chain," said Bruce Decock, vice president and CIO, LSI Corporation. "LSI now has a fully integrated system of inventory movements, shipments and manufacturing execution information, allowing us to run more efficiently as a company. It is very gratifying to have our efforts recognized by InformationWeek."

InformationWeek identifies and honors the nation's most innovative users of information technology with its annual 500 listing, now in its 21st year, and also tracks the technology, strategies, investments and administrative practices of America’s best-known companies. The InformationWeek 500 rankings are unique among corporate rankings as it spotlights the power of innovation in information technology, rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders.

"For over 20 years, the InformationWeek 500 has honored the most innovative users of business technology," said InformationWeek Editor-in-Chief Rob Preston. "Year after year, InformationWeek 500 companies harness technology to improve efficiency, boost productivity, drive revenue, and establish a competitive advantage. We applaud this year’s winners, and the CIOs and other executives whose ingenuity and risk taking are at the center of business technology innovation."

Additional details on the InformationWeek 500 can be found at www.informationweek.com/iw500/.

J.P. Morgan Treasury Services Continues Asia Pacific Investment and Expansion

Hong Kong, 14 September, 2009 - J.P. Morgan's Treasury Services business, a full-service provider of cash management, trade finance and treasury solutions, today announced plans to continue the enhancement and expansion of its service capabilities in the Asia Pacific region. As part of its three-year $1 billion global investment plan announced last year, J.P. Morgan is enhancing its cash management and treasury liquidity capabilities, expanding its regional footprint and reinvesting in its technology solutions. This investment will further make it easier for J.P. Morgan clients to move, concentrate, invest and manage their cash around the world.

Expanding J.P. Morgan's capabilities and services in the region enables clients to become more efficient across different currencies and across their own global footprint. These expansion plans reflect J.P. Morgan's ongoing commitment to corporations and financial institutions operating in markets across the globe, as well as the bank's mission to continue bringing global payment capabilities and expertise to clients locally

"As a global company with scale, financial backing, deep industry knowledge and international perspective, J.P. Morgan delivers benefits to clients wherever they are in the world with the same level of service and support," said Simon Jones, regional Treasury Services executive - Asia Pacific at J.P. Morgan. "We are committed to growing our business in Asia Pacific and will continue to expand our footprint and enhance domestic capabilities to fortify our position as a leading treasury management solutions provider in Asia Pacific."

"J.P. Morgan's goal in the region is to take a complex multi-currency, multi-regulated environment and make it easier, cheaper and faster for our clients to conduct cash management activities," said Melissa Moore, CEO of J.P. Morgan's Treasury Services business. "Despite a continued difficult economic environment, J.P. Morgan will continue to invest in global and local capabilities that will enable clients to operate more efficiently worldwide."

Geographic Expansion
J.P. Morgan continues to expand its geographic footprint as it builds out its branch capabilities across the Asia Pacific region. With presence already in 15 countries, J.P. Morgan recently opened two new branches in Guangzhou and Chengdu, China, while additional locations are planned in 2010 for China and South Asia.

New Solutions Delivered
J.P. Morgan continues the enhancement and expansion of its treasury services capabilities in the Asia Pacific region. Highlights of recent and planned investments include:

• The launch of regional clearing, foreign exchange, liquidity, payables and receivables platforms to unify delivery, information and channel access services.
  
• The launch of a standard billing platform across all Asia Pacific branches for better billing management and reporting.
  
• J.P. Morgan has enhanced its domestic cash management and trade finance service offering in India and has recently launched its liquidity concentration and enhanced domestic cash management capabilities in South Korea. Additional expansion in the region is planned for 2010.
  
• J.P. Morgan is launching Escrow Services in Australia and Singapore. J.P. Morgan's customized end-to-end Escrow services help customers better manage financial risk associated with a range of business transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and import and export payments. In Asia Pacific, J.P. Morgan already offers Escrow services in China, Hong Kong and India.
  
• J.P. Morgan has enhanced its U.S Dollar Clearing - Asia Direct solution to further assist clients seeking the fastest and most efficient means of making U.S. dollar payments to banks in Asia. As part of the enhancements, clients now have direct access to a larger number of banks. The solution enables clients to keep liquidity in the region, clear in multiple regional infrastructures, consolidate cash balances and benefit from same-day finality.
  
• J.P. Morgan also is investing in a fully integrated liquidity platform that will provide web capabilities to clients for greater transparency into their cash and investment balances. Clients will be empowered to manage their cash concentration structures, time deposit investments, and enhance operating efficiency through a more streamlined process. The platform designed to help clients optimize their global liquidity and investment requirements will be launched first in Asia Pacific locations as the region is a key area of focus for the firm.
  
• J.P. Morgan has introduced its Receivables EdgeSM solution in Asia Pacific. This unique web-based accounts receivable management application enables clients to better manage their receivables and collections processes through greatly improved transparency and a workflow tool to manage and improve the exception process.
  
• J.P. Morgan has enhanced its Tokyo Dollar Clearing system with Swift MT-103 message formatting, providing clients with faster, more secure cross-border credit transfers. J.P. Morgan has been the sole operator of Tokyo Dollar Clearing System since launching it in 1986.
  
• The company has launched its Freight Payment and Auditing capabilities in Asia to help clients achieve lower freight costs, greater control of global transport operations, and more actionable insight into supply chain sourcing and shipping decisions.
  
• J.P. Morgan has joined the World Bank and its funding partners to launch a $1 billion funding facility as part of the Global Trade Liquidity Program (GTLP). The agreement is designed to stimulate trade growth by extending funded trade financing to J.P. Morgan's client banks in emerging markets.
  
• J.P. Morgan has recently introduced its Unitized Time Deposit Program in India, an investment solution that automatically sweeps clients' non-interest bearing Indian rupee (INR) operating account balances into time deposits, enabling clients to maximize yield on short-term cash holdings. The program enables clients to manage unpredictable daily cash flows more efficiently.
  
• The company also has added new International Image Deposit Centers in Jakarta and Pakistan, strengthening the firm's imaging capabilities in the region. J.P. Morgan now has ten Image Deposit Centers in Asia.

Industry Recognition
J.P. Morgan continues to receive recognition from some of the region's leading trade publications. FinanceAsia cited the company as the Best Cash Management House in Japan for the second year running and, for the past five years, as the Best Trade Solutions Bank. The Asset has recognized J.P. Morgan as: Best Trade Finance Bank - Asia; Best Transaction Bank - Australia; Best Transaction Bank - Japan; Best Cash Management Bank - Australia; Best Cash Management Bank - Japan; Best Cash Management Specialist - Liquidity Solution, five years in a row; and Best Cash Management Specialist - Financial Institutions, four years in a row.

J.P. Morgan Expands its Escrow Capabilities in Asia Pacific

Hong Kong, September 15, 2009 - J.P. Morgan today announced that it has continued the expansion of its Treasury Services offerings in Asia Pacific by launching new Escrow servicing capabilities in Australia and Singapore. J.P. Morgan is now providing customized end-to-end Escrow services in these countries to help customers better manage financial risk associated with a range of business transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, import and export payments, collateral trusts for reinsurance, and construction project funding.

Acting as an independent third party, J.P. Morgan holds assets in escrow and disburses them when a performance or commitment is delivered upon. J.P. Morgan's dedicated Escrow team offers a reliable and dependable service, including counsel and document preparation, to ensure that transactions close quickly, accurately and securely.

"In response to customer demand, we are pleased to launch our Escrow services in Australia and Singapore, thereby helping companies protect their assets and mitigate risk, which is a priority for many organisations in these uncertain times," said Christine Doria, Escrow and Bankruptcy Services - product executive for J.P. Morgan Treasury Services.

Through the launch of these services, J.P. Morgan will be able to provide an important complement to the cash management, trade finance and liquidity management products already offered today in these key markets.

In commenting on the regional expansion, Linda McLaughlin-Moore, managing director, Asia Pacific product management executive, J.P. Morgan Treasury Services added: "We are committed to growing our business in Asia Pacific and will continue to expand our footprint and enhance domestic capabilities to fortify our position as a leading treasury management solutions provider in Asia Pacific."

J.P. Morgan already offers Escrow services in China, Hong Kong and India, and plans to further expand to other countries in the Asia Pacific region in the coming year. Clients of Escrow services have access to a broad range of other services, such as J.P. Morgan's liquidity solutions which help maximise working capital and optimise liquidity.

J.P. Morgan also offers Escrow services in the United Kingdom, United States and Brazil and plans to offer the service in additional financial centers throughout Europe and in other Asian countries in the coming year. The expansion of the company's Escrow services is part of J.P. Morgan Treasury Services' ongoing plan to continually invest in systems, innovation and services to benefit its clients throughout the world.

J.P. Morgan leverages the services and products of its Worldwide Securities Services division, as well as its Investment Bank, Asset Management and Private Bank lines of business to provide its customers with integrated banking solutions.

Chase Introduces Blueprint: New Features Give Credit Card Customers More Control

Industry-first Initiative Makes It Easier to Reduce Balances and Avoid Interest Charges

WILMINGTON, Del. - Sept. 15, 2009 - Chase Card Services, a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. [NYSE:JPM] today introduced Chase BlueprintSM, an innovative set of features that dramatically improves the way customers can manage their spending and borrowing. Blueprint helps consumers take charge of their finances with free tools they can use to pay down balances, manage everyday spending and pay off major purchases.

"Consumers want more control, simplicity and predictability when it comes to their finances," said Gordon Smith, CEO of Chase Card Services. "With Blueprint, customers can design their own plan to pay off balances sooner, save money by avoiding interest charges, and then easily track progress toward achieving their financial goals."

Blueprint: An Industry First For Consumers

Unlike other card companies that may offer tools to analyze spending, Blueprint is fully integrated into customers' accounts, enabling them to create customized payment plans and track their progress on every statement, either online or on the phone working with a Chase advisor. Blueprint, a first for the banking industry, also enables Chase customers to better manage their expenses - from everyday spending like groceries to major purchases like appliances or home repairs - and adjust their plan at any time without penalty.

Blueprint consists of four distinct features found at www.chase.com/blueprint:

• Full Pay^SM - Enables customers to decide which expenses they want to pay in full every month - items like groceries, gasoline, prescriptions - set those purchases aside and avoid paying interest by paying them in full each month.
  
• Split^SM - Provides customers a way to better manage larger purchases like home improvement projects or a new appliance. They can select the number of payments or monthly payment amount that works for them. Chase does the math and makes it clear on each statement so they can stay on track to meet their goals.
  
• Finish It^SM - Gives customers the flexibility to create a plan to pay down their current balance faster, allowing them to choose a goal date for pay-off. Chase does the math, calculating the monthly payments, sets up the plan and charts customers' progress toward achieving their goal on each monthly statement and online.
  
• Track It^SM - Provides customers a snapshot of all of their Chase card purchases. Customers can track their spending online by category whenever they want, not once a year like some card companies offer. Spending snapshots are available online daily allowing customers to track their progress toward achieving goals in real time.

"Given today's economic environment, the kind of flexibility and control that Blueprint offers is especially important," Smith said. "Blueprint enhances Chase's partnership with our customers by helping them better manage their finances -- setting them up for long-term success. This strengthens our relationship with our customers and helps make Chase their card of choice."

The launch of Blueprint follows more than two years of planning and research focused on better understanding the way consumers think about borrowing. According to a Chase survey of 4,026 U.S. consumers, 74 percent say it is "very important" that they have complete control over managing their finances and believe that cards are an essential part of that equation.

Blueprint will be available at no charge to twenty million customers using one of four leading Chase cards: Chase Freedom^SM, Chase Sapphire^SM, Slate^SM from Chase (formerly Chase Platinum), Ink^SM from Chase and other Chase business cards.

Blueprint Tools for Every Financial Style

To help consumers better understand their financial behavior patterns or "styles" and identify the Blueprint features best suited for them, Chase partnered with Dr. Hersh Shefrin, author of Beyond Greed and Fear: Understanding Behavioral Finance and the Psychology of Investing, to develop the What's Your Financial Style? quiz. The quiz prompts consumers to answer eight simple questions about their financial goals and spending habits.

Based on the results, the quiz identifies four financial management styles and the Blueprint features highlighted for each:

• Make It Easy - People who don't have a lot of time to put into managing finances - they have broad financial goals, such as "saving more." According to Chase's Financial Style Quiz, half of Americans have general versus specific (24 percent) financial goals. Blueprint's "Full Pay" and "Finish It" may be right for them.
  
• Control Seeking - People who have a strong desire for control in managing their finances - they tend to manage their spending by using a card more for "big ticket" and emergency purchases rather than everyday use. According to Chase's Financial Style Quiz, almost half (49 percent) of Americans are deliberate spenders and 37 percent use their card(s) only for emergencies or big ticket purchases. Blueprint's "Finish It" and "Split" may be right for them.
  
• Financially Savvy - Savvy card users who are comfortable managing multiple cards for various uses. According to Chase's Financial Style Quiz, 64 percent of Americans have high confidence that they manage their money well and 30 percent of Americans use different cards for different reasons. Blueprint's "Track It" and "Split" may be right for them.
  
• Confident and In Control - People who prefer to use a single card for all of their purchases, and often pay the entire balance each month, but want it to be flexible and customized to their needs. According to Chase's Financial Style Quiz, 53 percent of Americans pay their entire balance each month and 49 percent use a single card for all of their expenses. Blueprint's "Split" and "Track It" may be right for them.

Humana Inc. to Release Third Quarter Results on November 2, 2009

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 16, 2009-- Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) will release its financial results for the third quarter 2009 on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 6:00 a.m. eastern time. The company will host a conference call, as well as a virtual slide presentation at 9:00 a.m. eastern time that same morning to discuss its financial results for the quarter and earnings guidance for 2009 and 2010.

The live virtual presentation (audio with slides) may be accessed via Humana’s Investor Relations page at www.humana.com. The company suggests web participants sign on approximately 15 minutes in advance of the call. The company also suggests web participants visit the site well in advance of the call to run a system test and to download any free software needed to view the presentation.

All parties interested in the audio only portion of the conference call are invited to dial 888-625-7430. No password is required. The company suggests participants dial in approximately ten minutes in advance of the call.

For those unable to participate in the live event, the virtual presentation archive will be available in the Presentations section of the Investor Relations page at www.humana.com, approximately two hours following the live webcast. Telephone replays will be available from 12:00 p.m. eastern time on November 2, 2009 until midnight eastern time on November 4, 2009 and can be accessed by dialing 800-642-1687 and providing the conference ID #79056122.

The company’s third quarter 2009 earnings news release may include financial measures that are not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). If non-GAAP measures are used, a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to financial results under GAAP, as well as management’s reasons for including the non-GAAP financial measures, will be included in the company’s third quarter 2009 earnings news release, a copy of which will be available on the Investor Relations page of www.humana.com on November 2, 2009.

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded health and supplemental benefits companies, with approximately 10.3 million medical members and 6.8 million specialty members. Humana is a full-service benefits solutions company, offering a wide array of health and supplemental benefit plans for employer groups, government programs and individuals.

Over its 48-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s web site at www.humana.com, including copies of:

• Annual reports to stockholders;
• Securities and Exchange Commission filings;
• Most recent investor conference presentations;
• Quarterly earnings news releases;
• Replays of most recent earnings release conference calls;
• Calendar of events (including upcoming earnings conference call dates and times, as well as planned interaction with research analysts and institutional investors);
• Corporate Governance information.

HALLIBURTON AWARDED CONTRACT TO PROVIDE FLUID SERVICES TO SHELL IN THE DEEPWATER GULF OF MEXICO

HOUSTON - Halliburton (NYSE:HAL) has been awarded a contract by Shell to deliver fluid services on one deepwater rig and one tension leg platform (TLP) in the Gulf of Mexico. Work began in the third quarter of 2009 and includes the delivery of clay-free, high-performance fluid systems that are engineered to address deepwater challenges through improved control of downhole pressures and cold-temperature rheology.

"Halliburton is pleased to have been awarded this contract by Shell," said Jeff Miller, vice president of Baroid, a Halliburton product service line. "It highlights the strength of our technical professionals and our ability to systematically deliver engineered fluid solutions that are customized to maximize wellbore value."

FirstEnergy Solutions Provides Community Grants of More Than $3.7 Million To Akron, Summit County, Barberton and Green

Program Gives Customers Long-Term Electric Generation Savings

AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Powering Our Communities, an innovative program from FirstEnergy Solutions (FES), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), will provide community grants of approximately $2.2 million to the City of Akron; $1 million to Summit County's nine townships and the City of New Franklin; $300,000 to the City of Barberton; and $250,000 to the City of Green. In addition, this program will provide residents and small businesses of those communities with long-term electric generation savings.

"The funding available through Powering Our Communities is designed to help local communities during this difficult recession," said Anthony J. Alexander, president and chief executive officer of FirstEnergy Corp., during a press conference at the company's West Akron Campus today. "The funding can be used by city and township officials to help pay for many things, including essential services such as police and fire protection that have been affected by budget cuts. At the same time, Powering Our Communities offers long-term discounted generation prices to residential and small commercial customers in these communities."

Powering Our Communities offers economic support to communities in the Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison service areas that purchase discounted electric generation supply from FES through government aggregation programs.

The discounts will be based on the Price to Compare, or the generation price customers would have been charged if they purchased electric generation service from their local electric utility. Eligible Akron; Summit County; Barberton; and Green residential customers will receive 6 percent off the Price to Compare and small businesses will get a 4 percent discount for an additional six years. These communities already had government aggregation programs with FES as the electric generation supplier until 2012.

"FirstEnergy Solutions' offer comes at a crucial time for Akron," said Mayor Don Plusquellic. "We have been struggling to maintain police and fire jobs in the face of budget cuts and this funding definitely helps as we find ways to maintain essential services. Plus, by extending our contract with FirstEnergy Solutions for six more years, Akron customers could save millions in electric generation costs."

"Summit County communities in government aggregation programs will each receive a portion of the $1 million we are receiving from FirstEnergy Solutions, based on the size of the community," said Russell Pry, Summit County Executive. "Each community can determine how to best use this money to meet its specific needs. With lean budgets and the lingering recession, this is a big boost to our communities."

"We are pleased to be able to bring these savings to our residents," said Barberton Mayor Bob Genet. "In addition, the funding will also help our community during this economic downturn. This is a very good partnership between a local company, FirstEnergy Solutions, and Barberton."

"The City of Green will make good use of the funds, helping to make our community an even better place to live and work," said Mayor Dick Norton. "And, I know residents will appreciate the fact that they will save money on their electric bill for many years to come."

Powering Our Communities is being offered to the 50 communities in Ohio with government aggregation programs where electric generation is currently supplied by FES. Communities with government aggregation issues on the November ballot would also be eligible, as well as communities where residents have already approved electric aggregation. The program could save participating communities millions of dollars on generation costs over the next several years.

The level of funding to each community will be based on the number of customers who participate in the government aggregation program. No community will receive less than $50,000 in community grants.

Communities are able to form government aggregation buying groups to arrange for electricity, natural gas, or both on behalf of their citizens. The government aggregator chooses a supplier for all of the members in its group. Customers may opt out of the aggregation program and shop for a supplier or accept the standard rate offered by their local utility.

"We are pleased that Akron, Summit County, Barberton and Green are the first communities to take advantage of this offer," said Alexander. "After all, FES employees live and work here, too, and we recognize that strong communities benefit everyone."

Thermo Fisher Scientific Wins Food Safety Innovation Award for its Melamine Detection Program in China

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 8, 2009-- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, today announced that it has received a Ringier Technology Innovation Award for its role in helping Chinese laboratories quickly develop melamine detection capabilities following the discovery of melamine-tainted milk and infant formula in China. The award was presented by Ringier Trade Publishing, which publishes China's leading food industry magazine, Food Manufacturing Journal.

Thermo Fisher provides a comprehensive melamine testing solution for laboratories that comprises sample preparation, instrumentation, consumables and a proven testing method based on a tandem Thermo Scientific liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry system. The method was used as a reference by China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and its subordinate laboratories to create their own method.

“Thermo Fisher is committed to delivering food safety solutions that help our customers protect the public and meet regulations designed to prevent the many risks associated with product contamination,” said Dr. Stuart Cram, who leads Thermo Fisher Scientific’s global food safety initiative. “This award is a testament to the high level of expertise, energy and investment we have dedicated to food safety, especially in China, in an effort to ensure that we are helping our customers to make the world a safer place.”

Melamine, an inexpensive chemical used primarily in the manufacturing of plastics, and cyanuric acid, a byproduct of melamine, have been linked to food contamination primarily in milk-based products and food additives. Melamine is often added to increase the perceived protein content of milk products, and has also been found in pet foods, eggs and produce. In 2008, officials in China linked several deaths to melamine contamination. This led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to issue an alert focused on milk and milk-based products from China.

The Ringier Technology Innovation Awards pay tribute to companies in key industries such as food and beverage, packaging, plastics and metalworking. The Awards recognize companies that have made significant contributions for the advancement of industry through increased productivity, economic efficiency, market opportunity creation and improved production processes.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Features Innovative Food Safety Solutions at AOAC 2009

PHILADELPHIA, Sep 14, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, today announced that it is featuring its industry-leading range of instrumentation, equipment, consumables and software used for food safety testing at the AOAC International annual meeting and exposition in Philadelphia from Sept. 11-17. Thermo Fisher is showcasing testing solutions for four key applications: pathogens, pesticide screening, veterinary drug residues and traceability, alongside a full portfolio of food safety products on display in Thermo Scientific booths 205, 207, 209 and 211.

"As more instances of contamination reach the public eye, global companies and regulatory agencies are looking for technological solutions that increase testing speed, accuracy and throughput," said Marc N. Casper, chief operating officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "We're not only focused on increasing instrument performance; we're also committed to helping our customers implement new methods that make it easier and more cost-effective to isolate and eliminate contamination as early in the food chain as possible."

Pathogens, including salmonella, e.coli and listeria, are primary causes of food-borne illnesses in humans and can affect a broad spectrum of food products. During AOAC, scientists are demonstrating how a Thermo Scientific Kingfisher Flex magnetic particle processor uses patented technology to isolate bacteria and animal virus RNA from food samples. The company is also exhibiting its Thermo Scientific Arena 20XT, an easy-to-use automated system for the quality control and analysis of food, wine, juice, and other beverages, and the Thermo Scientific Multiskan FC(TM), a reliable and robust microplate photometer that rapidly detects harmful bacteria, viruses and other infectious agents.

For pesticide screening, Thermo Fisher is showcasing its new Thermo Scientific TraceFinder software and TSQ Quantum Access MAX(TM) triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, which offers sensitivity at parts-per-trillion for multi-residue analysis of volatile and non-volatile pesticides in food samples while simplifying routine screening, even for novice users. More than 500 pesticides are used worldwide today to improve crop yields, but increased production also means increased risk. Producers not only require solutions that can test for multiple substances at once, but also need to comply with complex requirements that change from country to country.

Thermo Fisher also offers solutions for low-level detection of veterinary drug residues. The Thermo Scientific TSQ Quantum Access MAX meets the strict analytical requirements of food safety and environmental laboratories. The Thermo Scientific Transcend TLX system with TurboFlow(TM) technology automates sample preparation and maximizes throughput while providing higher sensitivity and detection of drug residues at extremely low levels. Farm-raised animals often receive drugs, both licensed and illegal, to control disease and encourage growth. Traces of banned substances, or unacceptably high levels of legal substances, have been shown to be unsafe for human consumption.

The Thermo Scientific booth also features the award-winning Nautilus LIMS(TM) (laboratory information management system), used by many food and beverage companies around the world to ensure strict compliance with industry regulations and standards. Nautilus LIMS is scalable from a single user to a multi-user network system and is available in multiple languages, providing one standard user interface that helps companies enforce process standardization across multiple geographies and facilities.

For more information about Thermo Fisher Scientific food safety solutions, please visit the Thermo Scientific booths 205, 207, 209 and 211 during AOAC 2009. Alternatively, please call 1-800-532-4752, e-mail analyze@thermo.com or visit www.thermo.com/foodsafety.

Thermo Scientific is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Appoints Marc N. Casper President and Chief Executive Officer

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 15, 2009-- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, today announced that its board of directors has appointed Marc N. Casper president, chief executive officer and a director of the company, effective October 15, 2009. Casper currently serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer. This announcement follows the decision of Marijn E. Dekkers to resign as president, chief executive officer and a member of the board, in order to become chief executive officer of Bayer AG, a global leader in healthcare, nutrition and high-tech materials based in Germany.

Jim Manzi, chairman of the board, said, “Marc’s strong leadership at Thermo Fisher over the past eight years and his achievements both here and in other companies make him the natural choice to lead the company going forward. We are delighted that he will take on this new role. With our industry-leading position, commitment to world-class innovation and the most talented employees in the industry, we believe that the company is well-prepared for this transition and well-positioned to capitalize on new opportunities for growth. On behalf of the entire board of directors, we thank Marijn for his dedication to Thermo Fisher over the last nine years. Marijn has led the company through a period of exciting growth and has built a strong foundation for future success.”

“My years at Thermo Fisher have been some of the best in my career, and I thank our employees, the leadership team and the board for working with me so diligently to achieve our mutual goals for the company,” said Mr. Dekkers. “Having accomplished so much together, it’s now time for me to move on to a new role, and I’m looking forward to the challenges of the next phase of my career. I feel good about my move at this time because the company is very strong financially and, in Marc’s capable hands and with the continued support of our employees, has more growth prospects than ever.”

Casper said, “I have developed great respect for the knowledge and focus of our employees during my time at Thermo Fisher, and look forward to working with the leadership team and the board in my new role. Thanks to the successful execution of our strategy, demonstrated by our excellent financial track record, we have been able to deliver solid operating performance despite challenging economic conditions. We will work to continue to execute on our strategy for growth and success.”

Outlook Affirmed

The company today reaffirmed its full year 2009 outlook, as last updated on July 23, 2009, and expects to achieve annual revenues of $9.80 to $10.10 billion and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.85 to $3.10 for the year.

Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP measure that excludes certain items detailed later in this press release under the heading “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Biography

Casper has served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Thermo Fisher since May 2008. Prior to being named COO, Casper served as president of Thermo Fisher’s analytical technologies businesses following the merger of Thermo Electron and Fisher Scientific in November 2006. Casper joined the company in December 2001 as president of its Life and Laboratory Sciences Sector. Previously, Casper served as president, chief executive officer and a director of Kendro Laboratory Products. Before Kendro, he was president-Americas for Dade Behring Inc. Casper began his career at Bain & Company as a strategy consultant and later joined Bain Capital, where he oversaw business development, strategy and business integration in select companies owned by Bain. Casper earned an MBA with high distinction from Harvard Business School, and is a graduate of Wesleyan University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in economics.

E*TRADE FINANCIAL Corporation Reports Monthly Activity for August 2009; Provides Updates to Loan Delinquencies and Certain Financial and Balance Sheet

NEW YORK, Sep 15, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- E*TRADE FINANCIAL Corporation (NASDAQ: ETFC) today released its Monthly Activity Report for August and provided an intra-quarter update on its loan portfolio delinquencies and certain key financial and balance sheet metrics.

The Company ended August with record brokerage accounts of more than 2.7 million, including gross new brokerage accounts of 31,324 and net new brokerage accounts of 11,321 during the month. Total accounts ended the month at more than 4.5 million. Total Daily Average Revenue Trades ("DARTs") for August were 208,495 - an increase of 18.3 percent from July and 37.4 percent from the year ago period. The Company reported approximately 200,000 DARTs for September month to date (as of September 11).

Customer security holdings increased 2.9 percent and brokerage related cash increased by $982 million in August. This was offset by a $380 million reduction in Bank related customer cash and deposits, as the Company continued to execute on its balance sheet reduction strategy. This led to a 2.6 percent increase in total customer assets in the month and flat net new customer assets. Customers were net sellers of approximately $600 million of securities in August.

The Company also provided an update concerning delinquencies in its loan portfolio. Special mention delinquencies (30 to 89 days delinquent) for its home equity portfolio, which represents the Company's greatest exposure to loan losses, remained flat from June 30 to August 31. Home equity "at risk" delinquencies (30 to 179 days delinquent) declined seven percent from June 30 to August 31. Total special mention delinquencies for the Company's loan portfolio, which includes one- to four-family, home equity and consumer and other loans, declined by four percent quarter to date, as of August 31, 2009.

Detailed information concerning loan delinquencies is provided in table form on page 4 of this release.

The Company also provided an update to certain key financial and balance sheet metrics through the first two months of the third quarter, as well as certain forecasts for the third quarter 2009 results. The Company cautions that this data is preliminary as of September 14, 2009 and subject to change.

July and August Quarter-to-Date Results

• Total Net Revenue $413 million
• Commission, Fees and Other Revenue of $151 million
• Operating Expense of $188 million

August Bank Capital Metrics

• Bank Tier 1 and risk-based capital ratios of 6.6% and 13.8%, respectively
• Bank excess risk-based capital (excess to the regulatory well-capitalized threshold) of $875 million

• Bank Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets ratio of 12.5%

The Company also forecasted a range for loan loss provision and expected net charge-offs for the full third quarter:

• Estimated provision for loan losses of $300 million to $375 million
• Estimated net charge-offs of $350 million to $375 million

The estimated range for net charge-offs and provision expenses are based on a combination of actual data from our loan servicers through the second month of the quarter, a forecast for loan charge-offs and recoveries for the month ended September 30, 2009 and an updated loan loss forecast as of July 31, 2009, following our standard quarterly procedures. The forecast is based on actual loan delinquencies through July 31, 2009, and model calibration for delinquency roll rates was based on results as of the same period. The Company's methodology for estimating allowance for loan losses is more fully described in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009.

Monthly Activity Data
			Aug-09			Jul-09			Aug-08			% Chg. M/M		% Chg. Y/Y
Trading days				21.0			22.0			21.0		N.M.		N.M.
Daily Average Revenue Trades				208,495			176,180			151,722		18.3 %		37.4 %
Gross new brokerage accounts				31,324			30,019			30,208		4.3 %		3.7 %
Gross new stock plan accounts				12,054			12,496			13,669		(3.5)%		(11.8)%
Gross new banking accounts				3,402			3,406			16,472		(0.1)%		(79.3)%
Total gross new accounts				46,780			45,921			60,349		1.9 %		(22.5)%
Net new brokerage accounts				11,321			7,467			8,116		N.M.		N.M.
Net new stock plan accounts				4,545			(9,696)			2,465		N.M.		N.M.
Net new banking accounts				(11,842)			(12,052)			2,976		N.M.		N.M.
Net new accounts				4,024			(14,281)			13,557		N.M.		N.M.
End of period brokerage accounts				2,733,440			2,722,119			2,519,236		0.4 %		8.5 %
End of period stock plan accounts				1,014,825			1,010,280			1,024,100		0.4 %		(0.9)%
End of period banking accounts				770,228			782,070			808,752		(1.5)%		(4.8)%
End of period total accounts				4,518,493			4,514,469			4,352,088		0.1 %		3.8 %
Customer Assets ($MM)
Security holdings			$	107,308		$	104,279		$	129,666		2.9 %		(17.2)%
Brokerage related cash				20,312			19,330			17,457		5.1 %		16.4 %
Other customer cash and deposits				14,698			15,078			16,375		(2.5)%		(10.2)%
Total customer assets			$	142,318		$	138,687		$	163,498		2.6 %		(13.0)%
Net new customer assets ($B)			$	0.0		$	0.0		$	0.3		N.M.		N.M.

Loan Delinquency Data(1)
			Aug-09			Jul-09			Jun-09			% Chg. Aug 09 - Jul 09			% Chg. Jul 09 - Jun 09			QTD % Chg. Aug 09 - Jun 09
One- to Four-Family ($MM)
Current			$	9,733		$	10,005		$	10,259		(3	)%		(2	)%		(5	)%
30-89 days delinquent				528			527			563		0	%		(6	)%		(6	)%
90-179 days delinquent				404			436			445		(7	)%		(2	)%		(9	)%
Total 30-179 days delinquent				932			963			1,008		(3	)%		(4	)%		(8	)%
180+ days delinquent(2)				755			724			673		4	%		8	%		12	%
Total delinquent loans				1,687			1,687			1,681		0	%		0	%		0	%
Gross loans receivable(3)			$	11,420		$	11,692		$	11,940		(2	)%		(2	)%		(4	)%
Home Equity ($MM)
Current			$	8,236		$	8,378		$	8,515		(2	)%		(2	)%		(3	)%
30-89 days delinquent				268			265			268		1	%		(1	)%		0	%
90-179 days delinquent				223			230			262		(3	)%		(12	)%		(15	)%
Total 30-179 days delinquent				491			495			530		(1	)%		(7	)%		(7	)%
180+ days delinquent(2)				72			78			77		(8	)%		1	%		(6	)%
Total delinquent loans				563			573			607		(2	)%		(6	)%		(7	)%
Gross loans receivable(3)			$	8,799		$	8,951		$	9,122		(2	)%		(2	)%		(4	)%
Consumer and Other ($MM)
Current			$	1,962		$	1,998		$	2,038		(2	)%		(2	)%		(4	)%
30-89 days delinquent				31			28			29		11	%		(3	)%		7	%
90-179 days delinquent				6			8			15		(25	)%		(47	)%		(60	)%
Total 30-179 days delinquent				37			36			44		3	%		(18	)%		(16	)%
180+ days delinquent(2)				10			10			1		0	%		900	%		900	%
Total delinquent loans				47			46			45		2	%		2	%		4	%
Gross loans receivable(3)			$	2,009		$	2,044		$	2,083		(2	)%		(2	)%		(4	)%
Total Loans Receivable ($MM)
Current			$	19,931		$	20,381		$	20,812		(2	)%		(2	)%		(4	)%
30-89 days delinquent				827			820			860		1	%		(5	)%		(4	)%
90-179 days delinquent				633			674			722		(6	)%		(7	)%		(12	)%
Total 30-179 days delinquent				1,460			1,494			1,582		(2	)%		(6	)%		(8	)%
180+ days delinquent(2)				837			812			751		3	%		8	%		11	%
Total delinquent loans				2,297			2,306			2,333		(0	)%		(1	)%		(2	)%
Total gross loans receivable(3)			$	22,228		$	22,687		$	23,145		(2	)%		(2	)%		(4	)%

⁽¹⁾ Amounts and percentages may not calculate due to rounding.

⁽²⁾ Loans that are delinquent for 180+ days have been written down to the estimated current property value.

⁽³⁾ Includes unpaid principal balances and premiums (discounts).

Supplemental Metrics
Financial Metrics ($ '000s)		QTD 8/31/2009
Net operating interest income		$	216,647
Gain on loans and securities, net(1)			44,869
Commission, fees and other revenue(2)			151,419
Total net revenue		$	412,935
Operating expense		$	187,560
Balance Sheet Management Metrics ($MM)		Aug-09
E*TRADE Bank Tier 1 Capital ratio(3)			6.6%
E*TRADE Bank Tier 1 Capital to risk weighted assets ratio(3)			12.5%
E*TRADE Bank risk-based capital ratio(3)			13.8%
E*TRADE Bank excess Tier 1 Capital(3)		$	691.9
E*TRADE Bank excess Tier 1 Capital to risk weighted assets(3)		$	1,496.6
E*TRADE Bank excess risk-based capital(3)		$	875.2

⁽¹⁾ Gain on loans and securities, net does not reflect other-than-temporary impairment, which is calculated and booked at quarter end. The Company expects the impairment for Q309 to be consistent with prior quarters.

⁽²⁾ Commission, fees and other revenue consists of the commission, fees and service charges, principal transactions and other revenue line items on the consolidated statement of loss.

⁽³⁾ Monthly capital metrics are estimates and are prepared on a basis consistent with the capital information in the quarterly regulatory filings.

Monsanto Shares Unprecedented Value on Farm With Investors and Growers, Recommits to 2012 Objectives

CEO Hugh Grant Discusses Contributions of Genuity™ SmartStax™ and Genuity™ Roundup Ready 2 Yield®, Focus on Disciplined Spending and Returning Value to Shareowners

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 15, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) is sharing unprecedented value created on farm with both growers and investors as the company recommits to its 2012 objectives, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant will say today in prepared remarks.

Grant, speaking at the Credit Suisse 22nd Annual Chemical and Ag Science Conference, will say the company remains on target to help farmers benefit with improved seeds and technology and consequently more than double 2007 company gross profit by 2012 as results from the robust R&D pipeline reach farmers' fields and fuel continual seeds and genomics growth. Also, he will address the company's disciplined spending and cash flow management and will explain how Genuity™ Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans and Genuity™ SmartStax™ corn deliver increased value on the farm and are expected to create approximately one-third of the company's gross profit growth to 2012.

"We continue to see the benefits both to growers and our company as we fund and bring to marketplace the innovation that has helped us develop leading seeds and technologies for our customers even as we compress our spending in other areas of the business," Grant will explain. "Simply put, our growth is driven by growers and the decisions they make each year. That's why it's critical that we continue to support the robust pipeline and products that help us and the hundreds of licensees of our technologies to win their business year after year. Even as we reset the business in 2010, this wave of new platform-changing products keeps us on track to meet our promise to farmers and to deliver on our shareowner commitments for 2012."

Grant will cite the anticipated contribution of new seed platforms such as Genuity™ SmartStax corn and Genuity™ Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans. Both are slated to enter the marketplace with record-setting product launches in 2010, and are expected to significantly enhance farmers' productivity and profitability. The expected higher yield potential for both products - 5 percent to 10 percent for Genuity™ SmartStax and more than 7 percent for Genuity™ Roundup Ready 2 Yield - will boost on-farm revenue and improve farmers' productivity per acre.

"As we upgrade the technology platform on each acre of corn, soybeans and cotton, we create more yield - and more profit - for our farmer customers," Grant will say. "As a result of delivering benefits on the farm and to our many seed company licensees, we expect our U.S. seed business alone to generate more gross profit in 2012 than our entire seed portfolio did around the world in 2009."

Genuity™ SmartStax is unparalleled in offering whole-farm yield improvement, refuge reduction and broader insect spectrum control, and its platform will be the foundation for future trait launches, starting with drought-resistance, Grant will say. Genuity™ SmartStax is on track to launch next year on three million to four million acres, representing the biggest and broadest biotech corn launch in history.

Monsanto also is targeting seven million to eight million acres in 2010 with Genuity™ Roundup Ready 2 Yield Soybeans, which provide higher yields in the range of a decade's worth of genetic gain in a single new product, Grant will say.

Grant will reiterate the importance of the company's current restructuring efforts, which are expected to reduce future costs by $220 million to $250 million annually, with approximately one-third of that range realized in fiscal year 2010. The full benefit of the savings is expected to be realized beginning in fiscal year 2011.

He added that the company will continue to emphasize the focus and discipline in cash management that allows it to maintain a strong balance sheet and solid cash position to invest for growth and to return value to shareowners through dividends and share repurchases.

Presentation slides and a simultaneous audio webcast of Grant's presentation may be accessed by visiting the company's web site at www.monsanto.com/investors. Following the live broadcasts, Monsanto will archive the presentation slides and replays of the webcasts at the company's web site.

Businesses can benefit from shopping for electricity supply

New PPL EnergyPlus Web site helps companies navigate competition

Need a quick refresher on competitive electricity markets and how PPL EnergyPlus can help industrial and commercial businesses in eastern and central Pennsylvania save on their energy bills?

All of that information — and more — is neatly packaged on a new Web site developed by PPL EnergyPlus, the energy marketing and trading subsidiary of PPL Corporation, which has announced that it is competing as an alternative energy supplier in the area served by PPL Electric Utilities.

Visit www.pplenergyplus.com/switch to discover the many benefits of shopping for energy supply and the options available to businesses in open, competitive electricity markets.

“We’re providing customized prices and options specifically tailored to meet the business needs of customers,” said Gene Alessandrini, senior vice president of marketing for PPL EnergyPlus. “That’s the promise of customer choice — the freedom to choose and shop for an electricity supplier to find the best prices and services the market can offer.”

Now is the time to shop for electricity supply, he said, because the rate caps that have limited choices are expiring, and the price of electricity in the already-competitive wholesale market has dropped from last year’s highs.

“PPL EnergyPlus is making offers as businesses realize the tangible benefits available to them,” Alessandrini said. “We can give customers a variety of options based on their unique needs. We can bring to the table other valuable energy services such as efficiency upgrades, demand management, revenue generating demand response programs and renewable energy to help customers manage their total energy costs.

“This new Web site and our retail business personnel will help make this process of choosing an electricity supplier easier,” he said.

PPL EnergyPlus, which supplies electricity, natural gas and renewable energy, has the ability to use its expertise to work directly with customers, understand how they use energy and prepare customized offers that meet their unique needs, he added.

“I encourage businesses to visit our new Web site and find out how the competitive electricity market provides more choices, innovative services and opportunities to save both energy and money,” Alessandrini said.

Interested businesses in eastern and central Pennsylvania also may call toll-free, 888-289-7693, to talk with an energy expert from PPL EnergyPlus.

PPL EnergyPlus is a subsidiary of PPL Corporation. PPL Corporation, headquartered in Allentown, Pa., owns or controls more than 12,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to about 4 million customers in Pennsylvania and the United Kingdom. More information is available at www.pplenergyplus.com.