| Qwest Engenders Loyalty
Communications service providers in the U.S. market arguably have been slow to adopt sophisticated loyalty and rewards programs like their colleagues in the airline, credit card and retail industries have. But confusing collections of semi-redeemable points or miles isn�t the only way to engender loyalty. Qwest Communications International Inc. greatly has advanced its American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) scores and has been recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for loyalty in its broadband services in the western United States. The keys to its success are simple, according to Kim Whitehead, vice president of consumer marketing for Qwest. The combination of flexible bundles and price certainty has helped put Qwest�s customers at ease. While this is a solid foundation for a long-term loyalty program, it is about as sophisticated as U.S.
HSBC mortgage losses rise in US
HSBC Holdings PLC, Europe's biggest bank, reported another big hit from exposure to the U.S. mortgage crisis Wednesday and warned that bad debts could increase if the U.S. housing market weakens further. However, the bank's shares rose 3 percent as it reassured investors that third-quarter profits for its global business were ahead of last year, despite the $3.4 billion (2.3 billion euros) impairment charge at its U.S. consumer finance division, HSBC Finance Corp. The charge was higher than anticipated by analysts and significantly above the $1.9 billion and $2.2 billion booked in the first and second quarter respectively. The division also added $3.4 billion to its credit loss reserves. HSBC said it would close or consolidate up to 260 more HSBC Finance Corp.
Statement of an IMF Staff Mission to Papua New Guinea
"An IMF mission led by Ms. Susan Creane, Deputy Division Chief in the Asia-Pacific Department, visited Port Moresby November 1-14, 2007, to conduct the annual Article IV Consultation discussions. The mission met with the Treasurer and Minister of Finance, and other senior officials from the government and Bank of Papua New Guinea, and representatives from the private sector and civil society, to discuss recent economic developments and the outlook for 2008 and the medium-term. "Papua New Guinea is enjoying its fifth successive year of economic growth and macroeconomic stability, underpinned by a combination of prudent fiscal and monetary policies and high global prices for key mineral export commodities. Economic growth has picked up in the non-mineral sector, supported by low interest rates, and inflation remains in the low single digits.
Corzine willing to lose re-election to fix N.J. financial woes
ATLANTIC CITY � Gov. Jon S. Corzine today said he�s willing to risk losing re-election by increasing highway tolls to try to resolve state fiscal woes. The governor didn�t detail how much he wants tolls to increase, but said he plans to present a formal plan in January as part of his State of the State address. Speaking at a League of Municipalities convention, Corzine, as he has throughout the year, detailed fiscal woes he claims bar the state from investing in key needs. �We will get one chance at a serious financial restructuring and it has to be done right,� Corzine said. �But you can take this to the bank � I will be bold in the name of progress.� The Democratic governor is up for re-election in 2009, but said, �Make no mistake.
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