“Loans available for Va. storm losses (FOX 43 TV Hampton Roads)” plus 4 more

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• Loans available for Va. storm losses (FOX 43 TV Hampton Roads)
• Library stops interstate loans due to budget cuts (The Bristol Press)
• Financiera Independencia to Acquire Financiera Finsol and to Expand Internationally to Brazil (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
• Consumer borrowing falls at record level (MalaysiaNews.net)
• Loans available for Va. storm losses (WRIC 8 News Richmond)

Loans available for Va. storm losses (FOX 43 TV Hampton Roads) Posted: 30 Nov 2009 05:29 AM PST RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Low-interest disaster loans are being made available for Virginia residents and businesses that suffered losses during a mid-November nor'easter. The remnants of Hurricane Ida slammed southeastern Virginia, causing widespread damage and flooding. The Small Business Administration loans apply to the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and a number of other Hampton Roads localities. According to the SBA, loans of up to $200,000 are available for home repairs and loans of up to $40,000 can cover personal property losses. Loans of up to $2 million are available to businesses and nonprofits. Centers will open in various localities early in December to accept applications. www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Library stops interstate loans due to budget cuts (The Bristol Press) Posted: 30 Nov 2009 12:07 PM PST By JACKIE MAJERUS STAFF WRITER BRISTOL — As a way to cut costs and cope with a tight budget, the Bristol Public Library no longer offers patrons the chance to borrow books from out of state. "I could not justify it any longer, as many libraries couldn't," said library director Francine Petosa. The library continues to offer loans from other Connecticut libraries. Petosa said an online vendor charged the library a fee for every search it made for a book outside the Connecticut library system. "We were doing a fairly large volume," Petosa said. Beth Stavola, supervisor of reference services at the library, said when they did out-of-state borrowing, it added up to dozens of items a month. Ending out-of-state borrowing "was a big loss to us," according to Stavola, who said she hopes it can one day be restored in better economic times. Now, if a book isn't available locally or at any Connecticut library, Stavola said, "We're completely stuck. We probably average about 40 a month that we can't get at all." Stavola said a few people have complained, but she said they understand right away when they learn the service fell to a budget cut. "It was very expensive," Stavola said. A pool of about 20 regular patrons made up about half the requests, Stavola said, sometimes with "more esoteric requests" for materials from small or university presses, and typically non-fiction books. The rest of the requests came from the general pool of library users. Sometimes, the volume requested would be an expensive book that the library couldn't afford to have on the shelf, according to Stavola, or something pertaining to a certain geographic region that only a local library would have reason to keep. Other items might include personal memoirs or genealogical material, she said. Petosa said the Bristol library was one of the last to end the practice of offering out of state loaning and borrowing. "A lot of libraries have discontinued doing this because of the fee," Petosa said. The change, which took effect July 1, saves the library "several thousand dollars a year," Petosa said. "I think people have been disappointed, but they understand." Despite the fact that she eliminated the out-of-state searches, Petosa said library business within Connecticut is brisk. "We're seeing a tremendous increase in inter-library loans," Petosa said. Many library patrons around the state are checking out Bristol's collection by using an online database. Someone from out of town who is interested in checking out a book from Bristol can even put a hold on it through the computer system, as Bristol residents also can do with their own library and others throughout Connecticut. Just about everything that's circulated can be loaned out, Petosa said, except for brand new fiction or best sellers. Even without the out-of-state loans, Petosa said, a comparison of September 2008 and September 2009 showed an increase in library materials loaned out and borrowed. In both years, the library loaned more items outside Bristol than it borrowed from out of town, she said. In September 2008, the library borrowed 587 items and loaned out 619. A year later, the library borrowed 680 items and loaned out 850, Petosa said. This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Financiera Independencia to Acquire Financiera Finsol and to Expand Internationally to Brazil (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance) Posted: 30 Nov 2009 05:49 AM PST MEXICO CITY, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Financiera Independencia, S.A.B. de C.V., SOFOM, E.N.R. (BMV: FINDEP) ("Independencia" or the "Company"), a Mexican microfinance lender of personal loans to lower income segment individuals, announced today that it has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares for 100% cash of Financiera Finsol, S.A. de C.V., SOFOM., E.N.R. ("Finsol"), the second largest group lending microfinance institution in Mexico, and a group of related entities: Financiera Popular Finsol S.A. de C.V., S.F.P. (SOFIPO - savings and loans entity), Finsol Vida S.A. de C.V. (an insurance broker), Finsol S.A. de C.V. (a service company) and Instituto Finsol Brazil ("Finsol Brazil"), a group lending microfinance institution in Brazil (the "Transaction"). Total consideration for the Transaction is Ps.530 million. Upon completion of the transaction, Independencia will increase its loan portfolio by Ps. 794.6 million and will add 173,179 new clients. The Transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of Independencia. Transaction Highlights: Establishes Independencia as a leading consolidator in the Mexican microfinance market and further strengthens its position in the low income segment of the population. Positions the company in the group lending methodology microfinance segment which has proven to be a profitable business in Mexico. Allows creation of synergies of clients that could migrate from Finsol's group lending methodology to Independencia's individual lending methodology (and viceversa). Reduces earnings volatility as Finsol's business model is less sensitive to economic downturns. Implies international expansion in the largest economy in Latin America. Microfinance industry in Brazil is at an early stage of development and we consider that the potential is inmense. With the transaction, the leading management team in the microfinance industry in the country will join us. The Transaction is expected to be financed through a capital increase of up to 85 million shares. Such capital increase will be proposed at a Shareholders' Meeting to be called within the following days. Use of proceeds will be to pay the purchase price and to provide up to Ps. 300 million of capital to strengthen the balance sheets of the companies to be acquired. Mr. Noel Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "This is a significant milestone for Independencia. The acquisition of Finsol will allow us to increase our client base close to 1.4 million clients, operate a total of 356 branches in Mexico and expand our total outstanding loan portfolio to Ps.5,588 million." "Finsol's group microlending platform complements our core lending operations to individuals in urban areas, and extends our reach into rural and suburban markets. It will also increase our exposure to working capital loans, which tend to reduce net income volatility. This potentially highly accretive transaction is also an important step in acquiring expertise in group lending methodology and is the first step towards Independencia's international expansion," said Mr. Gonzalez. Finsol Highlights (as of September 30, 2009) Second largest group lending microfinance institution in Mexico serving the un-banked low income segment of the population. Provides working capital loans to small business owners, principally in rural and suburban areas. Operates 158 branches in 29 of 32 federal entities in Mexico, where it has a total outstanding loan balance of Ps.642.3 million, 143,045 clients and 1,561 employees. Non-performing loans to total loans of 2.8% and coverage ratio of 172.5%. Finsol Brazil Highlights (as of September 30, 2009) Founded in 2006, started operations in April 2007 Provides working capital loans to small business owners through group lending methodology Operates 16 branches in five Brazilian states, where it has a total outstanding loan portfolio of R$28.7 million (US$16.4 million) and 30,134 clients. Proforma Balance Sheet Proforma Balance Sheet as of Sept. 30, 2009 Findep Finsol Findep (Millions of Mexican Pesos) Consolidated ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents 312.8 67.1 479.9 Performing Loans 4,193.9 758.2 4,952.2 Non-Performing Loans 599.2 36.4 635.6 Total Loan Portfolio 4,793.1 794.6 5,587.8 Allowances for Loan Losses (424.9) (49.4) (474.4) Total Loan Portfolio - Net 4,368.2 745.2 5,113.4 Property, Plant & Equipment - Net 297.2 62.8 365.6 Other Assets 696.5 591.7 2,019.6 Total Assets 5,674.8 1,566.8 7,978.6 LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Bank and Other Entities Loans 3,679.5 1,278.6 4,958.1 Other Accounts Payable 205.2 226.4 380.3 Total Stockholders Equity 1,790.1 61.8 2,640.1 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity 5,674.8 1,566.8 7,978.6 Note: Assumes that 85 million shares are subscribed at 10 pesos per share. Key Highlights Proforma for the Transaction The contribution of working capital loans in our total loan portfolio increases from 24.5% to 35.2%. NPL ratio decreases from 12.5% to 11.4%. Increase in an already strong equity to total assets ratio from 31.5% to 33.1% after the Transaction is completed (assuming that 85 million shares are subscribed at 10 pesos per share). Closing The Transaction is expected to close during 1Q10 and is subject to regulatory approvals. Advisors Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC is acting as financial advisor for the Transaction. Conference Call to Discuss the Transaction Independencia will hold a conference call to discuss the transaction with the investment community today Monday, November 30, 2009 at 4:30 pm U.S. ET (3:30 pm Mexico City Time). The conference call can be accessed by dialing 866-393-9621 (U.S.) or 706-758-4196 (international) and entering passcode 44156064. A live web cast of the conference call and replay will be available at http://www.independencia.com.mx. A replay will be available between 18:00 pm ET on November 30 and 11:59 pm ET on December 7, 2009. The replay is accessible by dialing 800-642-1687 (U.S.) or 706-645-9291 (international) and entering passcode 44156064. A slide presentation will also be available beginning November 30, 2009 at 10:00 am U.S. ET (9:00 am Mexico City Time) for download from the investor relations section (investor presentations) of the Company's corporate website at http://www.independencia.com.mx. About Financiera Independencia: Financiera Independencia, S.A.B. de C.V., SOFOM, E.N.R. (Independencia), is a Mexican microfinance lender of personal loans to individuals. Independencia provides microcredit loans on an unsecured basis to individuals in the low-income segments in Mexico in urban areas of both the formal and informal economy. As of September 30, 2009, Independencia had a total outstanding loan balance of Ps.4,793.1 million, operated 198 offices in 143 cities throughout 31 of Mexico's 32 federal entities and had a total labor force of 9,586 people. The Company listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange on November 1, 2007, where it trades under the symbol "FINDEP". More information can be found at www.independencia.com.mx Some of the statements contained in this press release discuss future expectations or state other forward-looking information. Those statements are subject to risks identified in this press release and in Financiera Independencia's filings with the Mexican Stock Exchange. Actual developments could differ significantly from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and was derived using numerous assumptions. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as may be required by applicable law, we do not have an obligation to update or revise them, whether as a result of new information, future or otherwise. This press release does not constitute an offer for the sale of or a solicitation of offers to purchase any securities. The shares expected to be issued in the capital increase will not be registered under the US Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Consumer borrowing falls at record level (MalaysiaNews.net) Posted: 30 Nov 2009 04:43 AM PST Buy Location: Minimum price: £20,000£30,000£40,000£50,000£60,000£70,000£80,000£90,000£100,000£110,000£120,000£130,000£140,000£150,000£160,000£170,000£180,000£190,000£200,000£225,000£250,000£275,000£300,000£325,000£350,000£375,000£400,000£425,000£450,000£475,000£500,000£600,000£700,000£800,000£900,000£1,000,000£1,100,000£1,200,000£1,300,000£1,400,000£1,500,000£1,600,000£1,700,000£1,800,000£1,900,000£2,000,000£2,100,000£2,200,000£2,300,000£2,400,000£2,500,000£2,600,000£2,700,000£2,800,000£3,000,000 Maximum price: £20,000£30,000£40,000£50,000£60,000£70,000£80,000£90,000£100,000£110,000£120,000£130,000£140,000£150,000£160,000£170,000£180,000£190,000£200,000£225,000£250,000£275,000£300,000£325,000£350,000£375,000£400,000£425,000£450,000£475,000£500,000£600,000£700,000£800,000£900,000£1,000,000£1,100,000£1,200,000£1,300,000£1,400,000£1,500,000£1,600,000£1,700,000£1,800,000£1,900,000£2,000,000£2,100,000£2,200,000£2,300,000£2,400,000£2,500,000£2,600,000£2,700,000£2,800,000£3,000,000+ Min bedrooms: No preference1+2+3+4+5+ This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Loans available for Va. storm losses (WRIC 8 News Richmond) Posted: 28 Nov 2009 02:36 PM PST Associated Press - November 28, 2009 5:25 PM ET RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Low-interest disaster loans are being made available for Virginia residents and businesses that suffered losses during a mid-November nor'easter. The remnants of Hurricane Ida slammed southeastern Virginia, causing widespread damage and flooding. The Small Business Administration loans apply to the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and a number of other Hampton Roads localities. According to the SBA, loans of up to $200,000 are available for home repairs and loans of up to $40,000 can cover personal property losses. Loans of up to $2 million are available to businesses and nonprofits. Centers will open in various localities early in December to accept applications. On the Web: Small Business Administration: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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