Nov 14 2007 : The 3rd Man Group, which protects retailers and consumers from card-not-present (CNP) fraud, has acquired online credit card fraud company, Early Warning UK. Chobham, Surrey-based the 3rd Man did not disclose the purchase price.

Credit Counselor Mark Foster Teaches Financial Responsibility

FAYETTEVILLE -- Young couples struggling to balance income with expenses. Families mired in credit card debt. Retirees concerned about identity theft. Teenagers without a clue how to handle their finances.Mark Foster cares about them all.As director of education at Credit Counseling of Arkansas, Foster works with a wide variety of people. He leads seminars on a host of financial topics, coordinates outreach services and acts as media liaison. He's a featured financial expert on "KNWA Today" and hosts a quarterly show on Jones Television Network. He oversees 17 employees, including several who offer services in Spanish and Marshallese."We all have money," said Foster, 39. "How do you manage it? How do you budget it? What goals do you set? How do you manage credit wisely?"With all the pressures on American families today, it is essential for people to master their personal finances to survive and excel."CCOA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people improve their financial literacy.

Hard times ahead for fund firms?

Conventional wisdom holds that smart investors don�t buy mutual funds; they buy the fund companies� shares. In the past, that strategy may have worked. But fund-company stocks may be in for a rougher ride in the future, as firms grapple with the evolving competitive landscape.

The rationale for owning shares in fund companies rather than their funds is that, over time, any given mutual fund has a hard time consistently beating the index, especially given the management fees. Better, it is thought, to own a chunk of those fees � paid regardless of performance � by owning stock in the fund companies.

This strategy has been borne out � most publicly traded fund companies have enjoyed spiralling stock prices, and several firms have been acquired at healthy premiums.

(AFX UK Focus) 2007-11-14 04:42 GMT: OUTLOOK Sacyr 9-mths net boosted by Repsol contribution; focus on Eiffage

MADRID (Thomson Financial) - Sacyr Vallehermoso SA's nine months to September results, due today, are seen almost trebling at the bottom line due to the consolidation under the equity method of its about 20 pct stake in Repsol YPF, analysts said.

With regard to operating performance, this should remain solid at the core construction and concessions divisions, while results at the group's property arm Vallehermoso could stabilise in the third quarter, due in part to the partial correction of delivery delays which impacted its second-quarter performance.

At the analysts conference call at 12.00 pm, focus will be on any comments from management regarding its Repsol YPF stake, in light of recurring speculation that it could reduce the holding, which would help lighten its substantial debt pile.

Balance-carrying revolvers less happy with card firms

Americans have a complicated relationship with credit cards. Most of us won't leave home without them. But ask the average consumer how she feels about credit card companies, and you're likely to hear the kinds of words you can't say on prime-time TV without getting into trouble with the Federal Communications Commission.

A recent survey by J.D. Power and Associates found that credit cards have the lowest customer satisfaction level of all financial services. On a 1,000-point scale, card companies received an average satisfaction rating of 658.

Credit card issuers lagged behind mortgage servicers (798), online brokerage firms (773) and retail banks (763) on the satisfaction scale.

Still, choosing the card that best suits your borrowing habits can improve your credit card experience, says Jeff Taylor, senior director of banking practice for J.D.