Nationwide Business Insurance

1) Nationwide Insurance, NASCAR Drivers Scott Wimmer, Joey Logano Encourage Race Fever Fans to Stop Texting While Driving (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080626/20080626005568.html?.v=1)
CONCORD, N.H.----Today, Nationwide Insurance teamed up with NASCAR drivers Scott Wimmer and Joey Logano to raise awareness among drivers in New Hampshire about DWD – Driving While Distracted.

2) Nationwide wants private insurance companies to be able to sell flood coverage (http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2008/06/nationwide_wants_private_insur.html)
In a sweeping proposal, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. has asked Congress to allow private companies to begin selling flood coverage in hopes of getting more people to buy it, reducing the burden on the federal treasury in times of disaster and avoiding disputes over the causes of hurricane damage.

3) Nationwide Insurance Proposes Flood Insurance, Wind Insurance in a Single Home Insurance Policy (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080625/20080625005787.html?.v=1)
COLUMBUS, Ohio----Nationwide Insurance is proposing the creation of an innovative, consumer-friendly homeowners insurance offering that would avoid disputes over "wind/water" issues for policyholders across the country.

4) Exide Juiced, Nationwide On Your Side (http://www.forbes.com/finance/guruinsights/2008/06/27/exide-monsanto-nationwide-pf-trades-in_dp_0627dailytrades_inl.html?feed=rss_personalfinance_guruinsights)
Here are five ripe buys in batteries, insurance, hybrid technologies, fertilizers and farm hoses.

5) Nationwide Foundation Grants to Aid Disaster Relief (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080627/20080627005033.html?.v=1)
DES MOINES, Iowa----Nationwide announced today two grants from the Nationwide Foundation totaling $250,000 for American Red Cross disaster relief throughout the Central U.S. The company announced a $200,000 Nationwide Foundation grant to the American Red Cross Central U.S.

6) Danielson Designs Wins American Business Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080627/aqf031.html?.v=56)
Danielson Designs, a leading designer and manufacturer of home decor products nestled in the foothills of southern Colorado, has won a Stevie Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program for companies with less than 100 employees in The 2008 American Business Awards .

7) The IRS is adjusting the per-mile deduction for business travel (http://www.gainesville.com/article/20080627/news/207651093&tc=yahoo)
The Internal Revenue Service is trying to take some of the sting out of rising gas prices with a rare mid-year increase in the per-mile deduction for business travel. Many government agencies and businesses are expected to follow suit with the rates they reimburse employees. The rate is up 8 cents to 58.5 cents starting July 1.

8) J.D. Power and Associates Study Ranks Qwest Business Markets Group Highest in Nation for Customer Satisfaction (http://www.centredaily.com/business/technology/story/678536.html)
Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) today announced it was ranked highest in customer satisfaction among four major providers in a nationwide J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction study of large business customers purchasing data services.

9) The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation Awards Scholarships to 24 Students Honoring Academic Achievement and Commitment ... (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080626/neth061.html?.v=55)
The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation, Inc. today announced that it has awarded 24 scholarships to local public high school students and children of employees of The Hanover Insurance Group.

10) Business Development and Sales Solutions for Insurance Agents: The Soft Insurance Market is Tough, but Competition ... (http://www.centredaily.com/business/story/674441.html)
"There is a fundamental shift occurring in the small, mid-sized employer market today," said James A. Schlueter, President of the Total HR Network (www.totalhrnet.com). Speaking to a group of insurance agents and brokers in Southern California, he said, "Insurance agents and brokers are searching for ways to deal with deteriorating commissions and increased competition in this soft market. ...

11) Citizens Insurance Awards Scholarships to Eight Local Students Honoring Academic Achievement and Commitment to ... (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080626/neth062.html?.v=61)
Citizens Insurance Company of America today announced that, through its parent company's foundation, The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation, it has awarded eight scholarships to local public high school students and children of employees of Citizens Insurance in Howell, Michigan and in several nearby cities and towns.

12) Bank of America to cut 7,500 jobs nationwide (http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2008/06/23/daily44.html?ana=from_rss)
Bank of America Corp. said it will cut 7,500 jobs as part of its acquisition of Countrywide Financial Corp. (BAC) (CFC)

13) Hitting Home: Homeowners fight for their mortgage rights (http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/banking/2008-06-25-mortgage-services-countrywide-lawsuit_N.htm?csp=34)
Eunice Anderson, 48, a medical insurance auditor, says she was unable to refinance or negotiate a relief plan with her lender, Countrywide Financial. Facing foreclosure, she filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition that let her keep her home while she paid more than $11,000 in debt.

14) CUSO Financial Services Human Resources VP Janine Holmes Honored as HR Professional of the Year (http://www.centredaily.com/business/story/679445.html)
CUSO Financial Services, LP, (CFS) a full-service broker dealer and Registered Investment Adviser that provides customized investment and insurance solutions to the credit union industry, today announced its vice president of human resources, Janine Holmes, was honored by the San Diego Business Journal as HR Professional of the Year at a private company in the greater San Diego area. More than ...

15) The Amacore Group, Inc. Announces Advisory Agreement with JH Darbie & Co., Inc. (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080626/20080626005116.html?.v=1)
LAKE MARY, Fla.----The Amacore Group, Inc., , a leader in providing health-related membership benefit programs, insurance programs, and other innovative and high-quality solutions to individuals, families and employer groups nationwide, today announced that it has signed an Advisory Agreement with JH Darbie & Co., Inc., a specialized financial services firm that offers a full range of ...

16) Nationwide and Ohio State Partner to Address Real World Business Problems (http://www.centredaily.com/news/education/story/669244.html)
Today, Nationwide Insurance announced it is collaborating with the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State to create the Nationwide Center for Advanced Customer Insights. This partnership creates one of the select few centers dedicated to researching and evaluating consumer behavior in the United States.

17) Nationwide and Ohio State Partner to Address Real World Business Problems (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080620/20080620005338.html?.v=1)
COLUMBUS, Ohio----Today, Nationwide Insurance announced it is collaborating with the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State to create the Nationwide Center for Advanced Customer Insights.

18) Foreign Reinsurers May Get Easier Access To N.Y. Market (http://www.nysun.com/business/foreign-reinsurers-may-get-easier-access-to-ny/80826/)
State officials are expected to submit a proposal to Governor Paterson next week that would make New York more open to foreign-based reinsurers, a step that could pave the way for nationwide changes in a $100 billion-plus industry. Mr. Paterson appears willing to approve the plan, expressing disappointment yesterday that the state has "discriminatory" restrictions on companies based outside ...

19) Program to protect assets as Arkansans face long-term care decisions (http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2008/06/27/News/346872.html)
By Jason Wiest Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A new partnership between private insurance and Medicaid will help middle-income Arkansans protect their assets in their senior years or in times of long-term care decisions, Gov. Mike Beebe announced Thursday.

20) Colorado Business (http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9694605?source=rss)
Twist, a natural and eco-friendly household cleaning products company, announced that the National Association for Specialty Food Trade named the company a "Sofi Silver Finalist" for the upcoming 2008 Summer Fancy Food Show.

21) Nationwide, OSU forge marketing partnership (http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2008/06/24/nationwide_consumer.ART_ART_06-24-08_C10_2TAIN7P.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101)
Nationwide wants Ohio State University on its side.

22) Small Business Owners Tightening Their Purse Strings (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080625/aqw036.html?.v=59)
With rising oil prices and constant talk of a recession, it's no surprise small business owner optimism is waning.

23) CUSO Financial Services Human Resources VP Janine Holmes Honored as HR Professional of the Year (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080625/20080625006137.html?.v=1)
SAN DIEGO----CUSO Financial Services, LP, a full-service broker dealer and Registered Investment Adviser that provides customized investment and insurance solutions to the credit union industry, today announced its vice president of human resources, Janine Holmes, was honored by the San Diego Business Journal as HR Professional of the Year at a private company in the greater San Diego area.

24) Business briefs (http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080626/BUSINESS/806260709&tc=yahoo)
NEW ORLEANS

25) Pass This Test, Then We'll Talk (http://www.forbes.com/leadership/2008/06/25/job-application-quiz-lead-career-cx_rc_0625quizzes.html?feed=rss_leadership)
Employers are using online skills and personality tests to vet applicants before seeing their resumes.

26) Ratings Recap: Guardian, Old Republic, Ingosstrakh, Cattolica, Caelus Re, Secura, Elwood (http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2008/06/26/91371.htm)
A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the issuer credit rating to "bbb+" from "bbb" and affirmed the financial strength rating of 'B++' (Good) of Guardian Insurance Company, Inc. of the U.S., Virgi

27) J.D. Power and Associates Reports: HealthPartners Has Highest Member Satisfaction in Minnesota-Wisconsin (http://www.centredaily.com/business/story/681008.html)
HealthPartners ranks highest in member satisfaction among commercial health plans in the Minnesota-Wisconsin region according to J.D. Power and Associates 2008 National Health Insurance Plan Study (SM). The study measures member satisfaction with 107 large commercial health plans in 17 regions throughout the United States. It examines the following areas:

28) Aetna To Reimburse College Students, Doctors (http://www.courant.com/community/news/hfd/hc-ctaetna0626.artjun26,0,3324250.story?track=rss)
Aetna will reimburse thousands of students nationwide, including about 1,300 who have attended Connecticut colleges, as well as some doctors because the company did not pay enough on claims.

29) Unum Expands ''Simply Unum'' Offering to 41 States (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080626/20080626005836.html?.v=1)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.----With the addition of 23 states in June, Unum has expanded the availability of its next-generation benefits offering, Simply Unum, to 41 states nationwide.

30) On the Impossibility of Limited Government and the Prospects for a Second American Revolution (http://www.mises.org/story/2874)
In a recent survey, people of different nationalities were asked how proud they were to be American, German, French, etc., and whether or not they believed that the world would be a better place if other countries were just like their own.

31) J.D. Power and Associates Reports: HealthPartners Has Highest Member Satisfaction in Minnesota-Wisconsin (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080626/20080626005769.html?.v=1)
BLOOMINGTON, Minn.----HealthPartners ranks highest in member satisfaction among commercial health plans in the Minnesota-Wisconsin region according to J.D. Power and Associates 2008 National Health Insurance Plan Study SM.

32) Richard C. Jones Joins Guardian as Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080626/nyth106.html?.v=101)
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America today announced that veteran communications executive, Richard C. Jones, has joined the firm as Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer.

33) Around the nation (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/5859174.html)
Legendary trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs is scheduled to be sentenced today in Mississippi for his role in a judicial bribery scheme that ended his storied career.

34) Insurer plans 50 new jobs for Norwich (http://business.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=BIZOnline&category=Business&tBrand=bizonline&tCategory=business&itemid=NOED25%20Jun%202008%2017%3A54%3A04%3A047)
Insurance firm Swinton revealed last night it planned to create 50 new jobs in Norwich through the expansion of its internet operation in the city.

35) Few Employers Addressing Employees' Obesity Despite Increasing Costs (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112485.php)
Obesity rates in the U.S. are driving up costs for employers that provide health insurance to workers, but few companies have introduced programs intended to curb the trend, the New York Times reports. Nationwide costs related to employees' obesity for companies are $45 billion annually, according to a report by the Conference Board and RTI International.

36) Magic Hat Brewing Company Affiliate to Acquire Pyramid Breweries for $2.75 Per Share (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080627/20080627005819.html?.v=1)
SEATTLE & BURLINGTON, Vt.----Independent Brewers United, Inc., the parent of Magic Hat Brewing Company & Performing Arts Center, Inc. , and Pyramid Breweries Inc. today jointly announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement that contemplates, among other things, a tender offer to purchase all of Pyramid’s outstanding common stock for $2.75 per share in cash, or approximately $25.7 ...

37) Jobless rate makes biggest jump (http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com/2008/06/27/feature1.html)
Nevada's unemployment rate made its biggest month-over-month jump since 1980, the earliest available numbers. Nevada's Employment, Training and Rehabilitation Department reported the statewide unemployment rate increased 0.5 percentage points in May, from 5.7 percent to 6.2 percent.

38) CENTRAL NY BUSINESS NEWS (http://www.syracuse.com/articles/business/index.ssf?/base/business-13/1214384576276390.xml&coll=1)
• Help for pregnant addicts A new SUNY Upstate Medical University program is helping drug-addicted pregnant women in danger of giving birth prematurely carry their babies full term.

39) Aetna To Reimburse College Students (http://www.courant.com/business/hcu-aetnastudents-0625,0,6615826.story?track=rss)
Aetna will reimburse thousands of college students and some doctors nationwide, including 1,300 students who have attended Connecticut institutions, for not paying enough on their claims.

40) Palm Harbor Homes and Mitchell Company Awarded First FEMA Pilot Project for Permanent Housing (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080627/20080627005491.html?.v=1)
DALLAS----Palm Harbor Homes, Inc. today announced that the City Council of the City of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, has awarded the Company and the Mitchell Company its “Safe Harbor” project, the first Federal Emergency Management Association pilot project for permanent housing in response to natural disasters of any kind.

41) American Airlines and TM Advertising Win Cannes Lion Award (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080627/laf036.html?.v=101)
An American Airlines commercial produced by TM Advertising, American's long-standing advertising agency of record, was awarded a Bronze Lion at the prestigious 55th International Advertising Festival, the world's largest and most revered advertising competition.

42) Delta Dental Names John Yamamoto, DDS, MPH, as Dental Director of Professional Services (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080627/20080627005111.html?.v=1)
SAN FRANCISCO----Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania and their affiliates today named John Yamamoto, DDS, MPH, as the new dental director of Professional Services.

43) Proposal: Rename portion of Everest Drive (http://www.timeswv.com/local/local_story_179012649.html)
At the next city council meeting slated for July 8, a public hearing will be held to address the renaming of a street on Fairmont’s East Side for late hometown blues musician Johnnie Johnson.Known now as Everest Drive — referred to commonly as Water Street — the proposed Johnnie Johnson Drive is a 600- to 800-foot road located at the intersection of Merchant Street to the former site of the low ...

44) Home loan aid programs could be cut in housing bill (http://www.miamiherald.com/business/AP/story/584182.html)
Nonprofit groups are battling with the Bush administration over whether to kill programs that allow homebuyers without the money for a down payment to get funds from sellers that are channeled through charities.

45) Des Moines east/north notebook (http://www.altoonaherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080627/NEWS/806270317)
A Foreclosure Prevention and Mortgage Assistance Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Walnut Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds to help families with problems magnified by recent flooding.

46) AZZ incorporated Reports Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2009 (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080627/laf014.html?.v=101)
AZZ incorporated , a manufacturer of electrical products and a provider of galvanizing services, today announced unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended May 31, 2008.

47) Paychex, Inc. Reports Record Fiscal 2008 Results (http://www.centredaily.com/business/story/681828.html)
Paychex, Inc. ("we," "our," or "us") (NASDAQ:PAYX) today announced record net income of $576.1 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 ("fiscal 2008"), a 12% increase over net income of $515.4 million for the prior fiscal year. Diluted earnings per share was $1.56, an increase of 16% over $1.35 per share for the prior fiscal year. Total revenue was $2.1 billion, a 10% increase over $1.9 ...

48) Florida homeowners catching a rate break on property insurance (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-flzinsure0621sbjun21,0,4255468.story?track=rss)
When Ron Wise learned Nationwide Insurance dropped the coverage on his Palm Beach Gardens home this year, he figured he'd be lucky to find another insurer.

49) Jefferson National's Monument Advisor one of First VAs to Add ALPS' Listed Private Equity Portfolio and ALPS' Ibbotson ... (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080625/20080625005204.html?.v=1)
NEW YORK and LOUISVILLE, Ky.----Jefferson National’s Monument Advisor, the first flat-insurance fee variable annuity with the industry’s largest supermarket of more than 200 tax-deferred funds, is now one of the first VAs to offer the new ALPS Variable Series Listed Private Equity Portfolio and ALPS’ Ibbotson ETF Allocation Series, further expanding with more unique solutions to help fee-based ...

50) Few employers addressing employees' obesity despite increasing costs (http://www.news-medical.net/?id=39479)
Obesity rates in the U.S. are driving up costs for employers that provide health insurance to workers, but few companies have introduced programs intended to curb the trend, the New York Times reports.