Walter Hamilton And E. Scott Reckard - Kenneth D. Lewis, who became a focus of public and political outrage while presiding over Bank of America Corp.’s stunning fall from grace in the financial crisis, is stepping down as [ Read More → ]

It is the latest lender to offer sweeteners in an attempt to persuade borrowers to remortgage elsewhere. Mortgage Express, the specialist lending arm of Bradford & Bingley, also offered to waive fees, while banks such as GMAC have been even more generous, offering to pay off [ Read More → ]

Goodbye to the 0pc mortgage Thousands of home owners who are currently enjoying rock-bottom mortgage rates will soon see these ultra-cheap deals come to an end. Borrowers lucky enough to have snapped up tracker deals with Halifax, Cheltenham & Gloucester (C&G) and Birmingham Midshires two years ago have been [ Read More → ]

The percentage of households receiving food stamps in Philadelphia increased by nearly 3 percentage points between 2007 and 2008 - the period of time marking the start of the recession - according to figures released yesterday by the U.S. Census Bureau. And that number is only expected to rise, according to [ Read More → ]

Unlike their Nato comrades, British soldiers are required to pay income tax while serving their country overseas Photo: GETTY What started as a photo-opportunity when Mr Brown had lunch with a group of Welsh Guards in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, became unexpectedly interesting when he was challenged about tax. Dean Byfield, [ Read More → ]

Singapore-based food multinational Olam International bought a 14.35 per cent stake in NZ Farming Systems Uruguay this week. One of Stock Takes’ sources who had involvement with Olam when it paid $101 million for a 24.99 per cent stake in Open Country Cheese last year reckons Olam’s intention may well [ Read More → ]

Oregon Wild issued the warnings today in a report that identifies the state’s 10 most endangered places, areas prized by conservationists for their unique wilderness attributes but threatened by the march of development or climate change. Officials with Oregon Wild, a grass roots conservation organization that formerly was the Oregon Natural [ Read More → ]

There was more pain at the pumps for drivers this week when fuel duty increased by 2p per litre; the third increase in petrol and diesel tax in nine months. Once VAT is included, this latest duty rise will total 2.3p per litre – pushing the average price [ Read More → ]

Heating costs this winter figure to be cheaper for much of the country than they were a year ago, thanks to a glut of natural gas and fuel oil and a recession that’s pushing down demand. Does this mean you should lock in a rate now , or wait for prices [ Read More → ]

Earlier stories in this series. When Thomas Dana was laid off in March from his job as a systems operator for a cabinet company, he left everything in his office behind: computer programming manuals, amaryllis plant, calendar, stuffed duck. He had a feeling he’d be back. Turns out he was right: [ Read More → ]