At Boston University, you can get a great education in the heart of Bean Town. Now, you can also stay in luxury while you’re doing it. There is a new dorm building that boasts a 25th floor of rooms that are so luxurious, you will be sending your child away for only $13,000 a semester (that doesn’t include tuition).

The suites have city views of Boston, private baths, accommodating common areas, a 24 hour reading room, and a plasma tv in the media lounge. The rooms cost $5,000 more than the standard room and are only available to 14 students.

When the Boston Globe was able to catch up with one of the students that was “lucky enough” to get picked to live in the dorm, she said that she would be paying for the dorm with student loans and that all her friends were “too cheap” to live there. I don’t want to be mean or anything, but perhaps her friends were “too smart” to live there. I mean, this girl is paying $26,000 to live in a dorm that she will have to pay interest on for what? I can’t figure out what is so pressing that she has to spend the extra $10,000 to stay there.

When I lived in the dorm, there were private bathrooms in some of the rooms but they didn’t cost extra. There was a “media room” with a big screen tv and there were study rooms strewn throughout the building. All of that for only $3,000-$4,000 a semester.

She will end up paying for that room for the next 10 years thanks to her decision to live there this year. Many students won’t be paying for the dorm with savings, but with loans. That is certainly not the way you want to start your future right after college.

Source

It looks like repaying student loans could be getting a bit easier. Beginning this week, those with federal student loans can apply for a program that is offered by the Department of Education that reduces or caps the monthly payments based on income and also forgives any remaining balances after 25 years.

There is a calculator at http://www.ibrinfo.org to help any borrowers determine if they are eligible for the plan.

The program comes from the Cost Reduction and Access Act signed into law in 2007 from the Education Department. The Act authorized the creation of the repayment plan for Federal Family Education Loans and Direct Loan borrowers for those who borrow Stafford and PLUS loans.

So, the Act makes monthly payment amount to less than 10% of income for the 1 million people that are expected to enroll in the program. Payments wouldn’t exceed 15% of any income above $16K a year. Those who earn less than $16K would not have to make monthly payments.

This is a great program for those graduating colleges now simply because it has become harder and harder for new graduates to afford their loans after the deferment period for their loans. As of right now, no matter what, the new graduate has to begin paying back their loans after the deferment period, even if they haven’t had any luck finding a job. So this Act will help those.

With the unemployment rates at the highs it is now and new graduates graduating college with more debt than ever this could really help some people out. If I am unable to find a job, I know that it will definitely help me out.

After I finish this post up, I’m headed over to that website listed above to check my eligibility. I only have one private loan for less than $1,500 and the rest of my loans were Federal Stafford loans (mainly subsidized).

It’s looking more and more that if you have discipline and want to save for the future, going to college may be a bad investment. A four year college degree costs too much and proves too little. It has become increasingly unlikely to be able to make up the cost of a college degree, even with the fact that college grads get paid more.

In an example for the New York Post as written by SmartMoney associate editor Jack Hough, if you look at two people from similar backgrounds each of whom save $16,594 for college. One decides to not go to college and invests his savings in a mutual fund that tracks the broad stock market. He ends up making an average pay that peaks at $32,538. He adds to his savings 5% of his after-tax income and it returns 8% a year.

His friend goes to college. He goes to public school and transfers to a private school. He ends up spending $48,286 in tuition and fees. These fees do not include room and board. He ends up spending $34,044 after grants. When he finishes school he owes $17,450 at 5% in student loans. He starts making just over $23,000 a year after taxes and peaks at almost $57K. Like his friend, he sets aside 5%. It will take him 12 years to pay off his loans. When he finally escapes from the debt at age 34, he starts investing in the same fund as his friend. He is able to make bigger monthly contributions. However, when they reach 65, the friend who didn’t go to college will have saved almost $1.3 million while the one with the degree will have less than a third of what his friend saved.

I believe that this all comes back to the fact that many people don’t think about saving rather they want to have a comfortable lifestyle while they can enjoy it. I’m not saying that you can’t enjoy things when you’re 65, but you can enjoy travel and have more ability to do so when you’re younger.

It originally moved the jobs overseas to cut $300 million annually. At the time, the company was having trouble making a profit on a student loan.

Sallie Mae plans to return its 2,000 jobs to the U.S. by October 2010, with 600 of those positions on tap for its Wilkes-Barre, Pa. facility.

“This is great news for northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., at a news conference at the company’s facility in Wilkes-Barre with Lord and Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Pa. “With the U.S. unemployment rate at 8.5 percent, it is about time we have some ’in-sourcing.’ I hope that more companies that have sent jobs overseas will follow Sallie Mae’s example and bring jobs back to the United States.”

The jobs will be coming from India, the Philippines, and Mexico.

Source

If you’re just getting started with your financial future, these steps can be useful. I really enjoyed the part about paying off debt by the time you’re 30. I was recently able to pay off my credit cards and am pretty happy about it…just in time to start paying tens of thousands in student loans!

How many times do we need to be told not to max out our credit cards, after the fact? I’m a 5th year senior, of course my credit isn’t as great as it would be if I was a graduate and paying off my student loans…I have to live with my decisions in these hard financial times, and when I graduate (sometime this summer) I have to go out and find a job that will cover my expenses, or hopefully (at least) cover my loan payments.

I have lived within my means, but at the same time, I will graduate college with a large amount of debt.

I guess I’m just tired of every time I go to Yahoo it tells me that I should live within my means when I know I have such a large debt facing me.

So, how does this all affect the average American? Sure, if you?re completely invested in one of the failing companies it is easy to see, but for someone who isn’t in the market but perhaps has a 401 (k) they may be worried about their financial future.

Because banks are playing defensively, they are doing whatever they can to protect their assets. This causes them to not want to produce any new loans, creating sub-prime loans and mortgages is what got most of these banks into this dire situation to begin with. Even student loans will be harder to receive, which could in itself become a disaster, because college tuition will not be going down any time soon (or ever). If a potential borrower does not have great or perfect credit, loans are and will be very hard to acquire.

When the crunch is over, though, many banks will be able to lend again to those with good credit, and those with great and perfect credit will be able to get their loans at better rates. The hardest part is waiting. It is hard to wait for a loan when you need a mode of transportation and can’t get a car loan though, as not everyone lives where there is a method of public transportation or a place close enough to anything to ride a bike.

If you’ve been working and deducting some of your paycheck into a 401 (k) for any length of time, the financial crisis is something to take a serious look at. According to financial adviser Jill Schlesinger in a CBS interview, you should not stop payroll deductions into your 401 (k) just because of a sudden drop in the market, rather now is the time to be putting more money into the fund. Russell Pearlman from SmartMoney magazine also says that investors shouldn’t pull all of their money out of the market and to not panic. She states, ?As bad as things look today, they are just going to be a blip on the radar 10, 20 years from now.? As hard as it is to watch the stocks fall more every day, advisers and market analysts are saying to stick with it and that what is happening now could be the worst of it.

Not all news is doom and gloom however. Some of the brighter side of it is oil has fallen from $147 a barrel to under $70 in 3 months. When things start to shake up Wall Street, it appears that investors will begin looking for something more stable than what they are currently invested in (which probably lead to yesterday?s record jump in the price of an ounce of gold). The fall in oil definitely eases some of the financial burden facing the average consumer in the U.S. The lower oil prices will help ease inflation on all the goods that we buy.

Hopefully Russell Pearlman is right and we will all look back on what is going on now and say it is a blip. We can also hope that the worst of it is over. However you look at what is happening on Wall Street, the biggest thing to do is wait.

Recently, I went searching for open positions related to my field of study (marketing and communications) for when I graduate in May. Even when searching through the countless positions on websites like Monster.com, most positions for my major requires years of prior experience. I also visited a college career fair, and most of the companies were not looking for business graduates, but were more interested in pharmacists. Unfortunately, four or five years of sitting through endless lectures and classes devoted to the very position they are seeking does not count toward any experience.

The odds are not in their favor either. In the second quarter of 2008 the Labor Department gave the unemployment rate for those in the 20 ? 24 year old group (the age range is the most likely for new graduates). Unemployment had risen from 7.7% last year to 9.8% this year.

Most colleges require students to intern and/or take career counseling to give them an idea of what to expect after graduation, but they still do not guarantee a job after graduation.

So you are a new graduate and cannot seem to stand out of the crowd? Here are a couple of tips to make you and your resume more noticeable to potential employers.

- Network. Networking helps you stand out to an employer. If you are currently a student, become involved in plenty of events and groups related to your major.
- An impressive resume. Making your resume stand out is not as hard as it may seem. Little things such as adding a picture of you or using positive phrases can add luster to an otherwise vanilla resume. An example of a use of positive language is instead of saying you have no experience in a certain area, saying that you are willing and open to learning is obviously more constructive. Employers are always more open to someone who is willing to conform to their job descriptions, rather than a position having to conform to an applicant.

Student loans are creeping up and you still have not gotten the position to build your career on? Some people have begun to take a more unconventional attitude on job hunting: Create their own career by starting their own business. Once thought to be something only highly experienced professionals do, new graduates are starting businesses related to their fields of study.

If you have the ambition to start your own business, either a new graduate or someone who just has some new or great ideas, here are a few pointers that may help you start:

- Since you are probably bogged down with debt (thanks to student loans), try to limit your start up costs. Internet companies generally have very low startup costs, as long as you have an idea as to what you?re doing. Starting a business with a friend can also limit your costs and you will have more than one person working toward a goal.
- Remember those old textbooks that you could not or did not sell? Some of them have some great ideas in them. I have kept marketing books just because I thought in the future they could come in handy.
- Have a business plan. If you have a business plan, even a simple one, you always have a reference point. Eventually we all hit road blocks, like writing essays and having an outline, a business plan can keep you in order.
- Finally, do not give up and work hard to achieve your goals. Getting through college was not easy (or cheap), so do not be discouraged if your business does not take off immediately. Successful businesses take patience, time and a LOT of hard work.

It is not hard to become discouraged by the declining job market. Plenty of people I know are working in fast food restaurants while waiting to land ?the job.? When the economy is good, graduates may get multiple offers with competing salaries, but now these offers are not landing in people?s laps like they once were. An applicant must do more to be noticed in today?s job market. So good luck graduates, I will be seeing you in May.

With the news on Friday, financial stocks rallied.

Here’s the list (If you’re particularly worried about a couple of stocks, try CTRL+F feature):

AAME….. ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORP

AANB….. ABIGAIL ADAMS NATL BANCORP INC

ABBC….. ABINGTON BANCORP INC PA

ABCB….. AMERIS BANCORP

ABCW…. ANCHOR BANCORP WISCONSIN INC

ABK……. AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP INC

ABNJ….. AMERICAN BANCORP OF NJ INC

ABVA…. ALLIANCE BANKSHARES CORP

ACAP…. AMERICAN PHYSICIANS CAPITAL INC

ACBA…. AMERICAN COMMUNITY BNCSHRS INC

ACE…… ACE LTD

ACFC…. ATLANTIC COAST FED CORP

ACGL…. ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD NEW

ADVNA.. ADVANTA CORP

ADVNB.. ADVANTA CORP

AEG…… AEGON N V

AEL……. AMERICAN EQUITY INVT LIFE HLDG C

AET……. AETNA INC NEW

AF……… ASTORIA FINANCIAL CORP

AFFM….. AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HLDGS INC

AFG……. AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP INC NEW

AFL……. A F L A C INC

AGII…… ARGO GROUP INTL HLDGS LTD

AGO……. ASSURED GUARANTY LTD

AGP…….. AMERIGROUP CORP

AGX……. ARGAN INC

AHD……. ATLAS PIPELINE HOLDINGS L P

AHL……. ASPEN INSURANCE HOLDINGS LTD

AIB…….. ALLIED IRISH BANKS PLC

AIG…….. AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC

AINV…… APOLLO INVESTMENT CORP

AIZ…….. ASSURANT INC

ALL…….. ALLSTATE CORP

ALLB…… ALLIANCE BANCORP INC PA

ALNC…… ALLIANCE FINANCIAL CORP NY

AMCP….. AMCOMP INC NEW

AMFI…… AMCORE FINANCIAL INC

AMG……. AFFILIATED MANAGERS GROUP INC

AMIC…… AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE CORP

AMNB….. AMERICAN NATIONAL BANKSHARES INC

AMP ……. AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL INC

AMPH…. AMERICAN PHYSICIANS SVC GROUP

AMRB…. AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES

AMSF…. AMERISAFE INC

AMTD…. T D AMERITRADE HOLDING CORP

ANAT…. AMERICAN NATIONAL INS CO

ANNB…. ANNAPOLIS BANCORP INC

AOC…… AON CORP

APAB….. APPALACHIAN BANCSHARES INC

AROW…. ARROW FINANCIAL CORP

ASBI….. AMERIANA BANCORP

ASFI….. ASTA FUNDING INC

ASFN…. ATLANTIC SOUTHERN FINL GROUP INC

ASRV…. AMERISERV FINANCIAL INC

ATBC…. ATLANTIC BANCGROUP INC

ATLO…. AMES NATL CORP

AUBN…. AUBURN NATIONAL BANCORP

AWBC… AMERICAN WEST BANCORPORATION

AWH…. ALLIED WORLD ASSUR CO HLDGS LTD

AXA ….A X A UAP

AXG…. ATLAS ACQUISITION HOLDINGS CORP

AXS…. AXIS CAPITAL HOLDINGS LTD

BAC…. BANK OF AMERICA CORP

BANF…. BANCFIRST CORP

BANR…. BANNER CORP

BARI…. BANCORP RHODE ISLAND INC

BAYN…. BAY NATIONAL CORP

BBNK…. BRIDGE CAPITAL HOLDINGS

BBT…. B B & T CORP

BBX…. BANKATLANTIC BANCORP INC

BCA…. CORPBANCA

BCAR…. BANK OF THE CAROLINAS CORP

BCBP…. B C B BANCORP INC

BCP…. BROOKE CAPITAL CORP

BCS…. BARCLAYS PLC

BCSB…. B C S B BANCORP INC

BDGE…. BRIDGE BANCORP INC

BEN…. FRANKLIN RESOURCES INC

BERK…. BERKSHIRE BANCORP INC DEL

BFF…. B F C FINANCIAL CORP

BFIN…. BANKFINACIAL CORP

BFNB…. BEACH FIRST NATL BANCSHARES INC

BHB…. BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES

BHBC…. BEVERLY HILLS BANCORP INC

BHLB…. BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP INC

BK…. BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORP

BKBK…. BRITTON & KOONTZ CAPITAL CORP

BKMU…. BANK MUTUAL CORP NEW

BKOR…. OAK RIDGE FINANCIAL SERVICES INC

BKSC…. BANK SOUTH CAROLINA CORP

BKUNA…. BANKUNITED FINANCIAL CORP

BLX…. BANCO LATINOAMERICANO DE EXP SA

BMRC…. BANK OF MARIN BANCORP

BMTC…. BRYN MAWR BANK CORP

BNCL…. BENEFICIAL MUTUAL BANCORP INC

BNCN…. B N C BANCORP

BNS…. BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

BNV…. BEVERLY NATIONAL CORP

BOCH…. BANK OF COMMERCE HOLDINGS

BOFI…. B OF I HOLDING INC

BOFL…. BANK OF FLORIDA CORP NAPLES

BOH…. BANK OF HAWAII CORP

BOKF…. B O K FINANCIAL CORP

BOMK…. BANK MCKENNEY VA

BOVA…. BANK OF VIRGINIA

BPFH…. BOSTON PRIVATE FINL HLDS INC

BPSG…. BROADPOINT SECURITIES GROUP INC

BRK…. BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC DEL

BRK…. BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC DEL

BRKL…. BROOKLINE BANCORP INC

BSRR…. SIERRA BANCORP

BTFG…. BANCTRUST FINANCIAL GROUP INC

BUSE…. FIRST BUSEY CORP

BWINA…. BALDWIN & LYONS INC

BWINB…. BALDWIN & LYONS INC

BX…. BLACKSTONE GROUP L P

BXS…. BANCORPSOUTH INC

BYFC…. BROADWAY FINANCIAL CORP DEL

C…. CITIGROUP INC

CAC…. CAMDEN NATIONAL CORP

CACB…. CASCADE BANCORP

CADE…. CADENCE FINANCIAL CORP

CAFI…. CAMCO FINANCIAL CORP

CAPB…. CAPITALSOUTH BANCORP

CAPE…. CAPE FEAR BANK CORP

CART…. CAROLINA TRUST BANK

CARV…. CARVER BANCORP INC

CASB…. CASCADE FINANCIAL CORP

CASH…. META FINANCIAL GROUP INC

CATY…. CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

CB…. CHUBB CORP

CBAN…. COLONY BANKCORP INC

CBBO…. COLUMBIA BANCORP ORE

CBC…. CAPITOL BANCORP LTD

CBIN…. COMMUNITY BANK SHRS INDIANA INC

CBKN…. CAPITAL BANK CORP NEW

CBNK…. CHICOPEE BANCORP INC

CBON…. COMMUNITY BANCORP

CBU…. COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM INC

CCBD…. COMMUNITY CENTRAL BANK CORP

CCBG…. CAPITAL CITY BANK GROUP

CCBP…. COMM BANCORP INC

CCFH…. C C F HOLDING COMPANY

CCNE…. C N B FINANCIAL CORP PA

CCOW…. CAPITAL CORP OF THE WEST

CEBK…. CENTRAL BANCORP INC

CFBK…. CENTRAL FEDERAL CORP

CFFC…. COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP

CFFI…. C & F FINANCIAL CORP

CFFN…. CAPITOL FEDERAL FINANCIAL

CFNL…. CARDINAL FINANCIAL CORP

CFR…. CULLEN FROST BANKERS INC

CHCO…. CITY HOLDING CO

CHEV…. CHEVIOT FINANCIAL CORP

CHFC…. CHEMICAL FINANCIAL CORP

CI…. C I G N A CORP

CIA…. CITIZENS INC

CINF…. CINCINNATI FINANCIAL CORP

CITZ…. C F S BANCORP INC

CIZN…. CITIZENS HOLDING CO

CJBK…. CENTRAL JERSEY BANCORP

CLBH…. CAROLINA BANK HOLDINGS INC

CLFC…. CENTER FINANCIAL CORP

CLMS…. CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT INC

CMA…. COMERICA INC

CME…. C M E GROUP INC

CMFB…. COMMERCEFIRST BANCORP INC

CMGI…. C M G I INC

CMSB…. C M S BANCORP INC

CNA…. C N A FINANCIAL CORP

CNAF…. COMMERCIAL NATIONAL FINL CORP

CNB…. COLONIAL BANCGROUP INC

CNBC…. CENTER BANCORP INC

CNBKA…. CENTURY BANCORP INC

CNC…. CENTENE CORP DEL

CNLA…. COMMUNITY NATL BANK LAKEWAY AREA

CNO…. CONSECO INC

CNS…. COHEN & STEERS INC

COBH…. PENNSYLVANIA COMMERCE BANCORP IN

COBZ…. COBIZ FINANCIAL INC

COLB…. COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM INC

COOP…. COOPERATIVE BANCSHARES INC

CORS…. CORUS BANKSHARES INC

COWN…. COWEN GROUP INC

CPBC…. COMMUNITY PARTNERS BANCORP

CPBK…. COMMUNITY CAPITAL CORP

CPF…. CENTRAL PACIFIC FINANCIAL CORP

CPHL…. CASTLEPOINT HOLDINGS LTD

CRBC…. CITIZENS REPUBLIC BANCORP INC

CRFN…. CRESCENT FINANCIAL CORP

CRMH…. C R M HOLDINGS LTD

CRRB…. CARROLLTON BANCORP

CRVL…. CORVEL CORP

CSBC…. CITIZENS SOUTH BANKING CORP DEL

CSBK…. CLIFTON SAVINGS BANCORP INC

CSFL…. CENTERSTATE BANKS OF FLORIDA INC

CSHB…. COMMUNITY SHORES BANK CORP

CSNT…. CRESCENT BANKING CO

CTBC…. CONNECTICUT BANK & TRUST CO

CTBI…. COMMUNITY TRUST BANCORP INC

CTBK…. CITYBANK LYNNWOOD WASHINGTON

CTZN…. CITIZENS FIRST BANCORP INC

CVBF…. C V B FINANCIAL CORP

CVBK…. CENTRAL VIRGINIA BANKSHARES INC

CVCY…. CENTRAL VALLEY COMM BANCORP

CVH…. COVENTRY HEALTH CARE INC

CVLL…. COMMUNITY VALLEY BANCORP

CVLY…. CODORUS VALLEY BANCORP INC

CWBC…. COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES

CWBS…. COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES INC

CWLZ…. COWLITZ BANCORPORATION

CZFC…. CITIZENS FIRST CORP

CZWI…. CITIZENS CMNTY BANCORP INC MD

DB…. DEUTSCHE BANK AG

DCOM…. DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES

DEAR…. DEARBORN BANCORP INC

DFG…. DELPHI FINANCIAL GROUP INC

DGICA…. DONEGAL GROUP INC

DGICB…. DONEGAL GROUP INC

DHIL…. DIAMOND HILL INVESTMENT GRP INC

DLLR…. DOLLAR FINANCIAL CORP

DR…. DARWIN PROFESSIONAL UNDERWRITERS

DSL…. DOWNEY FINANCIAL CORP

DUF…. DUFF & PHELPS CORP NEW

EBSB…. MERIDIAN INTERSTATE BANCORP INC

EBTX…. ENCORE BANCSHRES INC

ECBE…. E C B BANCORP INC

EGBN…. EAGLE BANCORP INC

EIHI…. EASTERN INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC

EII…. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE ACQUI CORP

EMCI…. E M C INSURANCE GROUP INC

EMITF….. ELBIT IMAGING LTD

ENH…. ENDURANCE SPECIALTY HOLDINGS LTD

ESBF…. E S B FINANCIAL CORP

ESBK…. ELMIRA SAVINGS BANK FSB NY

ESGR…. ENSTAR GROUP LTD

ETFC…. E TRADE FINANCIAL CORP

EV…. EATON VANCE CORP

EVBN…. EVANS BANCORP INC

EVBS…. EASTERN VIRGINIA BANKSHARES INC

EVR…. EVERCORE PARTNERS INC

EWBC…. EAST WEST BANCORP INC

FABK…. FIRST ADVANTAGE BANCORP

FAC…. FIRST ACCEPTANCE CORP

FAF…. FIRST AMERICAN CORP CALIF

FBC…. FLAGSTAR BANCORP INC

FBCM…. F B R CAPITAL MARKETS CORP

FBIZ…. FIRST BUSINESS FINL SVCS INC

FBMI…. FIRSTBANK CORP

FBMS…. FIRST BANCSHARES INC MS

FBNC…. FIRST BANCORP NC

FBP…. FIRST BANCORP P R

FBSI…. FIRST BANCSHARES INC MO

FBSS…. FAUQUIER BANKSHARES INC

FBTC…. FIRST BANCTRUST

FCAL…. FIRST CALIFORNIA FINL GROUP INC

FCAP…. FIRST CAPITAL INC

FCBC…. FIRST COMMUNITY BANCSHARES INC

FCCO…. FIRST COMMUNITY CORP SC

FCCY…. 1ST CONSTITUTION BANCORP

FCFL…. FIRST COMMUNITY BANK CORP AMER

FCNCA…. FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES INC NC

FCVA…. FIRST CAPITAL BANCORP INC VA

FCZA…. FIRST CITIZENS BANC CORP

FDEF…. FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP

FDT…. FEDERAL TRUST CORP

FED…. FIRSTFED FINANCIAL CORP

FFBC…. FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP OHIO

FFBH…. FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES ARK INC

FFCH…. FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC

FFCO…. FEDFIRST FINANCIAL CORP

FFDF…. F F D FINANCIAL CORP

FFFD…. NORTH CENTRAL BANCSHARES INC

FFG…. F B L FINANCIAL GROUP INC

FFH…. FAIRFAX FINL HOLDINGS LTD

FFHS…. FIRST FRANKLIN CORP

FFIC…. FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORP

FFIN…. FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES INC

FFKT…. FARMERS CAPITAL BANK CORP

FFKY…. FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORP

FFNM…. FIRST FED NORTHN MI BANCORP INC

FFNW…. FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST INC

FFSX…. FIRST FEDERAL BANKSHARES INC DEL

FHN…. FIRST HORIZON NATIONAL CORP

FIFG…. 1ST INDEPENDENCE FNL GROUP INC

FIG…. FORTRESS INVESTMENT GROUP L L C

FII…. FEDERATED INVESTORS INC PA

FISI…. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INC

FKFS…. FIRST KEYSTONE FINANCIAL INC

FLIC…. FIRST LONG ISLAND CORP

FMAR…. FIRST MARINER BANCORP

FMBI…. FIRST MIDWEST BANCORP DE

FMER…. FIRSTMERIT CORP

FMFC…. FIRST M & F CORP

FNB…. F N B CORP PA

FNBN…. F N B UNITED CORP

FNFG…. FIRST NIAGARA FINL GROUP INC NEW

FNLC…. FIRST BANCORP INC ME

FNM…. FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSN

FNSC…. FIRST NATIONAL BANCSHARES INC SC

FPBI…. F P B BANCORP INC

FPBN…. 1ST PACIFIC BANCORP CA

FPFC…. FIRST PLACE FINANCIAL CORP NM

FPIC…. F P I C INSURANCE GROUP INC

FPTB…. FIRST PACTRUST BANCORP INC

FRBK…. REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP INC

FRE…. FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORP

FRGB…. FIRST REGIONAL BANCORP

FRME…. FIRST MERCHANTS CORP

FSBI…. FIDELITY BANCORP INC

FSBK…. FIRST SOUTH BANCORP INC

FSGI…. FIRST SECURITY GROUP INC

FSNM…. FIRST STATE BANCORPORATION

FTBK…. FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORP

FULT…. FULTON FINANCIAL CORP PA

FUNC…. FIRST UNITED CORP

FWV…. FIRST WEST VIRGINIA BANCORP INC

FXCB…. FOX CHASE BANCORP INC

GABC…. GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP INC

GAN…. GAINSCO INC

GBCI…. GLACIER BANCORP INC NEW

GBH…. GREEN BUILDERS INC

GBL…. GAMCO INVESTORS INC

GBNK…. GUARANTY BANCORP

GBTS…. GATEWAY FINANCIAL HLDGS INC

GCA…. GLOBAL CASH ACCESS HOLDINGS INC

GFED…. GUARANTY FEDERAL BANCSHARES INC

GFIG…. G F I GROUP INC

GFLB…. GREAT FLORIDA BANK

GGAL…. GRUPO FINANCIERO GALICIA S A

GHL…. GREENHILL & CO INC

GIW…. WILBER CORP

GLBZ….. GLEN BURNIE BANCORP

GLRE…. GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE LTD

GNW…. GENWORTH FINANCIAL INC

GOV…. GOUVERNEUR BANCORP INC

GRAN…. BANK GRANITE CORP

GRNB…. GREEN BANKSHARES INC

GROW…. U S GLOBAL INVESTORS INC

GS…. GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC

GSBC…. GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP INC

GSLA…. G S FINANCIAL CORP

GTS…. TRIPLE S MANAGEMENT CORP

HABC…. HABERSHAM BANCORP INC

HAFC… HANMI FINANCIAL CORP

HALL…. HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES INC

HARL…. HARLEYSVILLE SAVINGS FINAN CORP

HAXS…. HEALTHAXIS INC

HBAN…. HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES INC

HBHC…. HANCOCK HOLDING CO

HBNK…. HAMPDEN BANCORP INC

HBOS…. HERITAGE FINANCIAL GROUP

HCBK…. HUDSON CITY BANCORP INC

HCC…. H C C INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC

HEOP…. HERITAGE OAKS BANCORP

HFBC…. HOPFED BANCORP INC

HFFC…. H F FINANCIAL CORP

HFWA…. HERITAGE FINANCIAL CORP WA

HGIC…. HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC

HIFS…. HINGHAM INSTITUTION FOR SVGS MA

HMN…. HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORP NEW

HMNF…. H M N FINANCIAL INC

HMPR…. HAMPTON ROADS BANKSHARES INC

HNBC…. HARLEYSVILLE NATIONAL CORP PA

HNT…. HEALTH NET INC

HOMB…. HOME BANCSHARES INC

HOME…. HOME FEDERAL BANCORP INC MD

HRZB…. HORIZON FINANCIAL CORP WASH

HS…. HEALTHSPRING INC

HTBK…. HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP

HTH…. HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC

HTLF…. HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA INC

HUM…. HUMANA INC

HWBK…. HAWTHORN BANCSHARES INC

HWFG…. HARRINGTON WEST FINANCIAL GRP IN

IAAC…. INTERNATIONAL ASSETS HLDG CORP

IBCA…. INTERVEST BANCSHARES CORP

IBCP…. INDEPENDENT BANK CORP MICH

IBKC…. IBERIABANK CORP

IBKR…. INTERACTIVE BROKERS GROUP INC

IBNK…. INTEGRA BANK CORP

IBOC… INTERNATIONAL BANCSHARES CORP

ICE…. INTERCONTINENTALEXCHANGE INC

ICH…. INVESTORS CAPITAL HOLDINGS LTD

IFC…. IRWIN FINANCIAL CORP

IFSB…. INDEPENDENCE FEDERAL SAVINGS BK

IHC…. INDEPENDENCE HOLDING CO NEW

IMP…. IMPERIAL CAPITAL BANCORP INC

INCB…. INDIANA COMMUNITY BANCORP

INDB…. INDEPENDENT BANK CORP MA

ING…. I N G GROEP N V

IPCC…. INFINITY PROPERTY & CASUALTY COR

IPCR…. I P C HOLDINGS LTD

IRE…. IRELAND BANK

ITC… I T C HOLDINGS CORP

ITG…. INVESTMENT TECHNOLOGY GP INC NEW

ITIC…. INVESTORS TITLE CO

JAXB…. JACKSONVILLE BANCORP INC FL

JEF…. JEFFERIES GROUP INC NEW

JFBC…. JEFFERSONVILLE BANCORP

JFBI…. JEFFERSON BANCSHARES INC TENN

JLI…. JESUP & LAMONT INC

JMP…. J M P GROUP INC

JNS…. JANUS CAP GROUP INC

JPM…. JPMORGAN CHASE & CO

JXSB…. JACKSONVILLE BANCORP INC

KCLI…. KANSAS CITY LIFE INS CO

KENT…. KENT FINANCIAL SERVICES INC

KEY…. KEYCORP NEW

KFED…. K FED BANCORP

KFFB…. KENTUCKY FIRST FEDERAL BANCORP

KFS…. KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC

KRNY…. KEARNY FINANCIAL CORP

L…. LOEWS CORP

LAB…. LABRANCHE & CO INC

LABC…. LOUISIANA BANCORP INC

LARK…. LANDMARK BANCORP INC

LAZ…. LAZARD LTD

LBBB…. LIBERTY BELL BK CHERRY HILL NJ

LBCP…. LIBERTY BANCORP INC MO

LEGC…. LEGACY BANCORP INC

LEH…. LEHMAN BROTHERS HOLDINGS INC

LFC…. CHINA LIFE INSURANCE CO LTD

LION…. FIDELITY SOUTHERN CORP NEW

LKFN…. LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORP

LNC…. LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP IN

LNCB…. LINCOLN BANCORP IND

LPSB…. LAPORTE BANCORP INC

LSBI…. L S B FINANCIAL CORP

LSBK…. LAKE SHORE BANCORP INC

LSBX…. L S B CORP

LTS…. LADENBURG THALMANN FIN SVCS INC

LUK…. LEUCADIA NATIONAL CORP

LYG…. LLOYDS TSB GROUP PLC

MAIN…. MAIN STREET CAPITAL CORP

MASB…. MASSBANK CORP

MBFI…. M B FINANCIAL INC NEW

MBHI…. MIDWEST BANC HOLDINGS INC

MBI…. MBIA INC

MBP…. MID PENN BANCORP INC

MBR…. MERCANTILE BANCORP INC

MBRG…. MIDDLEBURG FINANCIAL CORP

MBTF…. M B T FINANCIAL CORP

MBVA…. MILLENNIUM BANKSHARES CORP

MBVT…. MERCHANTS BANCSHARES INC

MBWM…. MERCANTILE BANK CORP

MCBF…. MONARCH COMMUNITY BANCORP INC

MCBI…. METROCORP BANCSHARES INC

MCGC…. M C G CAPITAL CORP

MCY…. MERCURY GENERAL CORP NEW

MER….. MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC

MERR…. MERRIMAN CURHAN FORD GROUP INC

MF…. M F GLOBAL LTD

MFC…. MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORP

MFLR…. MAYFLOWER BANCORP INC

MFNC…. MACKINAC FINANCIAL CORP

MFSF…. MUTUALFIRST FINL INC

MGYR…. MAGYAR BANCORP INC

MHLD…. MAIDEN HOLDNGS LTD

MI…. MARSHALL & ILSLEY CORP NEW

MIG…. MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP INC

MIGP…. MERCER INSURANCE GROUP INC

MKL…. MARKEL CORP

MKTX…. MARKETAXESS HLDGS INC

MNRK…. MONARCH FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC

MOFG…. MIDWESTONE FINANCIAL GRP INC NEW

MOH…. MOLINA HEALTHCARE INC

MORN…. MORNINGSTAR INC

MRH…. MONTPELIER RES HOLDINGS LTD

MROE…. MONROE BANCORP

MS…. MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER & CO

MSBF…. M S B FINANCIAL CORP

MSFG…. MAINSOURCE FINANCIAL GROUP INC

MSL…. MIDSOUTH BANCORP INC

MTG…. M G I C INVESTMENT CORP WIS

MTU…. MITSUBISHI UFJ FINANCIAL GP INC

MXGL…. MAX CAPITAL GROUP LTD

NAHC…. NATIONAL ATLANTIC HOLDINGS CORP

NAL…. NEWALLIANCE BANCSHARES INC

NARA…. NARA BANCORP INC

NATL…. NATIONAL INTERSTATE CORP

NAVG…. NAVIGATORS GROUP INC

NBBC…. NEWBRIDGE BANCORP

NBN…. NORTHEAST BANCORP

NBTB…. N B T BANCORP INC

NBTF….. N B & T FINANCIAL GROUP INC

NCBC…. NEW CENTURY BANCORP INC NC

NCC…. NATIONAL CITY CORP

NDAQ…. NASDAQ O M X GROUP INC

NEBS…. NEW ENGLAND BANCSHARES INC

NECB…. NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BANCORP INC

NEWT….. NEWTEK BUSINESS SVCS INC

NFBK….. NORTHFIELD BANCORP INC

NFS…. NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES IN

NFSB…. NEWPORT BANCORP INC

NHTB…. NEW HAMPSHIRE THRIFT BNCSHRS INC

NICK…. NICHOLAS FINANCIAL INC

NITE…. KNIGHT CAPITAL GROUP INC

NKSH…. NATIONAL BANKSHARES INC

NMR…. NOMURA HOLDINGS INC

NMX…. NYMEX HOLDINGS INC

NOVB…. NORTH VALLEY BANCORP

NPBC…. NATIONAL PENN BANCSHARES INC

NRIM…. NORTHRIM BANCORP INC

NSEC…. NATIONAL SECURITY GROUP INC

NSFC…. NORTHERN STATES FINANCIAL CORP

NSH…. NUSTAR G P HOLDINGS LLC

NTQ…. N T R ACQUISITION CO

NTRS…. NORTHERN TRUST CORP

NVSL…. NAUGATUCK VLY FINANCIAL CORP

NWFL…. NORWOOD FINANCIAL CORP

NWLIA…. NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INS CO

NWSB…. NORTHWEST BANCORP INC PA

NXTY….. NEXITY FINANCIAL CORP

NYB…. NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP INC

NYM…. N Y M A G I C INC

NYX…. N Y S E EURONEXT

OCFC…. OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP

OFG…. ORIENTAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC

OKSB…. SOUTHWEST BANCORP INC OKLA

OLBK…. OLD LINE BANCSHARES

OLCB…. OHIO LEGACY CORP

ONB…. OLD NATIONAL BANCORP

ONFC…. ONEIDA FINANCIAL CORP

OPHC…. OPTIMUMBANK HOLDINGS INC

OPOF…. OLD POINT FINL CORP

OPY…. OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC

ORH…. ODYSSEY RE HOLDINGS CORP

ORI…. OLD REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL CORP

ORIT…. ORITANI FINANCIAL CORP

OSBC…. OLD SECOND BANCORP INC

OSBK…. OSAGE BANCSHARES INC

OSHC…. OCEAN SHORE HOLDING CO

OVBC…. OHIO VALLEY BANC CORP

OXPS…. OPTIONSXPRESS HOLDINGS INC

OZM…. OCH ZIFF CAPITAL MANGMNT GRP LLC

OZRK…. BANK OF THE OZARKS INC

PABK…. P A B BANKSHARES INC

PACW…. PACWEST BANCORP DE

PBCI…. PAMRAPO BANCORP INC

PBCT…. PEOPLES UNITED FINANCIAL INC

PBHC…. PATHFINDER BANCORP INC

PBIB…. PORTER BANCORP INC

PBIP…. PRUDENTIAL BANCORP INC PA

PBKS…. PROVIDENT BANKSHARES CORP

PBNY…. PROVIDENT NEW YORK BANCORP

PCBC…. PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP NEW

PCBI…. PEOPLES COMMUNITY BANCORP INC

PCBK…. PACIFIC CONTINENTAL CORP

PCBS…. PROVIDENT COMMUNITY BANCSHRS INC

PEBK…. PEOPLES BANCORP NC INC

PEBO…. PEOPLES BANCORP INC

PFBC…. PREFERRED BANK LOS ANGELES

PFBI…. PREMIER FINANCIAL BANCORP INC

PFBX…. PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORP

PFED…. PARK BANCORP INC

PFG…. PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC

PFS…. PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SVCS INC

PGR…. PROGRESSIVE CORP OH

PHLY…. PHILADELPHIA CONSOLIDATED HLG CO

PICO….. P I C O HOLDINGS INC

PJC…. PIPER JAFFRAY COMPANIES

PKBK…. PARKE BANCORP INC

PL…. PROTECTIVE LIFE CORP

PLCC…. PAULSON CAPITAL CORP

PLFE…. PRESIDENTIAL LIFE CORP

PMACA…. P M A CAPITAL CORP

PMBC…. PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP

PMI…. P M I GROUP INC

PNBC…. PRINCETON NATIONAL BANCORP INC

PNBK…. PATRIOT NATIONAL BANCORP INC

PNC…. P N C FINANCIAL SERVICES GRP INC

PNFP…. PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS INC

PNSN…. PENSON WORLDWIDE INC

PNX…. PHOENIX COS INC

PPBI…. PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP INC

PRA…. PROASSURANCE CORP

PRE…. PARTNERRE LTD

PRK…. PARK NATIONAL CORP

PROS…. PROCENTURY CORP

PROV…. PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS INC

PRSP…. PROSPERITY BANCSHARES INC

PRU…. PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL INC

PRWT…. PREMIERWEST BANCORP

PSBC…. PACIFIC STATE BANCORP

PSBH…. PSB HOLDINGS INC

PSEC…. PROSPECT CAPITAL CORP

PTA…. PENN TREATY AMERICAN CORP

PTP…. PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS HLDGS LTD

PUK…. PRUDENTIAL PLC

PULB…. PULASKI FINANCIAL CORP

PVFC…. P V F CAPITAL CORP

PVSA…. PARKVALE FINANCIAL CORP

PVTB…. PRIVATEBANCORP INC

PWOD…. PENNS WOODS BANCORP INC

PZN…. PZENA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC

QCRH…. Q C R HOLDINGS INC

QNTA…. QUANTA CAPITAL HOLDINGS LTD

RAMR…. R A M HOLDINGS LTD

RBCAA…. REPUBLIC BANCORP INC KY

RBNF….. RUBAN FINANCIAL CORP

RBPAA…. ROYAL BANCSHARES PA INC

RBS…. ROYAL BANK SCOTLAND GROUP PLC

RCBK…. RIVER CITY BANK

RCKB…. ROCKVILLE FINANCIAL INC

RDN…. RADIAN GROUP INC

RE…. EVEREST RE GROUP LTD

RF…. REGIONS FINANCIAL CORP NEW

RGA…. REINSURANCE GROUP OF AMERICA INC

RIVR…. RIVER VALLEY BANCORP

RJF…. RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL INC

RKH…. REGIONAL BANK HOLDRS TRUST

RLI…. R L I CORP

RNR…. RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD

RNST…. RENASANT CORP

RODM…. RODMAN & RENSHAW CAP GRP INC NEW

ROMA….. ROMA FINANCIAL CORP

ROME…. ROME BANCORP INC

RPFG….. RAINIER PACIFIC FINL GROUP INC

RVSB….. RIVERVIEW BANCORP INC

RY…. ROYAL BANK CANADA MONTREAL QUE

SAF…. SAFECO CORP

SAFT…. SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP INC

SAL …. SALISBURY BANCORP INC

SAMB…. SUN AMERICAN BANCORP

SASR…. SANDY SPRING BANCORP INC

SAVB…. SAVANNAH BANCORP INC

SBBX…. SUSSEX BANCORP

SBCF…. SEACOAST BANKING CORP FLA

SBIB…. STERLING BANCSHARES INC

SBKC…. SECURITY BANK CORP

SBNY…. SIGNATURE BANK NEW YORK N Y

SBP…. SANTANDER BANCORP

SBSI…. SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES INC

SCA…. SECURITY CAPITAL ASSURANCE LTD

SCB…. COMMUNITY BANKSHARES INC S C

SCBT…. S C B T FINANCIAL CORP

SCHW…. SCHWAB CHARLES CORP NEW

SCMF…. SOUTHERN COMMUNITY FINCL CORP

SEAB….. SEABRIGHT INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC

SF…. STIFEL FINANCIAL CORP

SFG…. STANCORP FINANCIAL GROUP INC

SFNC…. SIMMONS 1ST NATIONAL CORP

SFST…. SOUTHERN FIRST BANCSHARES INC

SGB…. SOUTHWEST GEORGIA FINANCIAL CORP

SHG…. SHINHAN FINANCIAL GROUP CO LTD

SIEB…. SIEBERT FINANCIAL CORP

SIFI…. SI FINANCIAL GROUP INC

SIGI…. SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP INC

SIVB…. S V B FINANCIAL GROUP

SLF…. SUN LIFE FINANCIAL INC

SLM…. S L M CORP

SMBC…. SOUTHERN MISSOURI BANCORP INC

SMCG….. MILLENNIUM INDIA ACQUISIT CO INC

SMHG…. SANDERS MORRIS HARRIS GROUP INC

SMMF…. SUMMIT FINANCIAL GROUP INC

SMTB…. SMITHTOWN BANCORP INC

SNBC…. SUN BANCORP INC

SNV…. SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP

SOCB…. SOUTHCOAST FINANCIAL CORP

SOMH…. SOMERSET HILLS BANCORP

SONA…. SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP VA INC

SOV…. SOVEREIGN BANCORP INC

SRCE…. 1ST SOURCE CORP

SSBI SUMMIT STATE BANK

SSBX…. SILVER STATE BANCORP

SSFN…. STEWARDSHIP FINANCIAL CORP

STBA…. S & T BANCORP INC

STBC…. STATE BANCORP INC NY

STBK…. STERLING BANKS INC

STEL…. STELLARONE CORP

STFC…. STATE AUTO FINANCIAL CORP

STI…. SUNTRUST BANKS INC

STL…. STERLING BANCORP

STSA…. STERLING FINANCIAL CORP WASH

STT…. STATE STREET CORP

STU…. STUDENT LOAN CORP

SUAI…. SPECIALTY UNDERWRITERS ALL INC

SUBK…. SUFFOLK BANCORP

SUFB…. SUFFOLK FIRST BANK VA

SUPR…. SUPERIOR BANCORP

SUR…. C N A SURETY CORP

SUSQ…. SUSQUEHANNA BANCSHARES INC PA

SVBI…. SEVERN BANCORP INC MD

SWS…. S W S GROUP INC

SYBT…. S Y BANCORP INC

TAMB…. TAMALPAIS BANCORP

TAQ…. TRANSFORMA ACQUISITION GROUP INC

TAYC…. TAYLOR CAPITAL GROUP INC

TBBK…. BANCORP INC

TBHS…. BANK HOLDINGS THE

TCB…. T C F FINANCIAL CORP

TCBI…. TEXAS CAPITAL BANCSHARES INC

TCBK…. TRICO BANCSHARES

TCHC…. 21ST CENTURY HOLDING CO

TDBK…. TIDELANDS BANCSHARES INC

TFIN…. TEAM FINANCIAL INC

TFSL…. TFS FINANCIAL CORP

TGIC…. TRIAD GUARANTY INC

THFF…. FIRST FINANCIAL CORP IN

THG…. HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP INC

THRD…. T F FINANCIAL CORP

TIBB…. T I B FINANCIAL CORP

TIL…. TRANS INDIA ACQUISITION CORP

TMCV…. TEMECULA VALLEY BANCORP INC

TMK…. TORCHMARK CORP

TMP…. TOMPKINS FINANCIAL CORP

TNCC…. TENNESSEE COMMERCE BANCORP INC

TOFC…. TOWER FINANCIAL CORP

TONE…. TIERONE CORP

TOWN…. TOWNEBANK

TRH…. TRANSATLANTIC HOLDINGS INC

TROW…. T ROWE PRICE GROUP INC

TRST…. TRUSTCO BANK CORP NY

TRUE…. CENTRUE FINANCIAL CORP NEW

TRV…. TRAVELERS COMPANIES INC

TSBK…. TIMBERLAND BANCORP INC

TSFG…. SOUTH FINL GROUP INC

TSH…. TECHE HOLDING CO

TWGP…. TOWER GROUP INC

TWPG…. THOMAS WEISEL PARTNERS GROUP INC

UAM…. UNIVERSAL AMERICAN CORP

UB…. UNIONBANCAL CORP

UBCP…. UNITED BANCORP INC

UBFO…. UNITED SECURITY BANKSHARES

UBNK…. UNITED FINANCIAL BANCORP INC MD

UBOH…. UNITED BANCSHARES INC

UBS…. U B S AG

UBSH…. UNION BANKSHARES CORP

UBSI…. UNITED BANKSHARES INC

UCBA…. UNITED COMMUNITY BANCORP

UCBH…. U C B H HOLDINGS INC

UCBI…. UNITED COMMUNITY BANKS INC GA

UCFC…. UNITED COMMUNITY FINL CORP OHIO

UFCS…. UNITED FIRE & CAS CO

UMBF…. U M B FINANCIAL CORP

UMPQ…. UMPQUA HOLDINGS CORP

UNAM…. UNICO AMERICAN CORP

UNB…. UNION BANKSHARES INC

UNH…. UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC

UNIB… UNIVERSITY BANCORP INC

UNM…. UNUM GROUP

UNTY…. UNITY BANCORP INC

USB…. U S BANCORP DEL

USBI…. UNITED SECURITY BANCSHARES INC

UTR…. UNITRIN INC

UVSP…. UNIVEST CORP OF PENNSYLVANIA

UWBK…. UNITED WESTERN BANCORP INC

VBFC…. VILLAGE BANK AND TRUST FINL CORP

VCBI…. VIRGINIA COMMERCE BANCORP

VIST…. V I S T FINACIAL CORP

VLY…. VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP

VNBC…. VINEYARD NATIONAL BANCORP

VPFG…. VIEWPOINT FINANCIAL GROUP

VR…. VALIDUS HOLDINGS LTD

VSBN…. V S B BANCORP INC NY

VYFC…. VALLEY FINANCIAL CORP VA

WABC…. WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION

WAIN…. WAINWRIGHT BANK & TRUST CO BOSTN

WAL…. WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION

WASH…. WASHINGTON TRUST BANCORP INC

WAUW…. WAUWATOSA HOLDINGS INC

WAYN…. WAYNE SAVINGS BANCSHARES INC NEW

WB…. WACHOVIA CORP 2ND NEW

WBCO…. WASHINGTON BANKING COMPANY

WBNK…. WACCAMAW BANKSHARES INC

WBS…. WEBSTER FINL CORP WATERBURY CONN

WCBO…. WEST COAST BANCORP ORE NEW

WCG…. WELLCARE HEALTH PLANS INC

WDR…. WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL INC

WFBC…. WILLOW FINANCIAL BANCORP INC

WFC…. WELLS FARGO & CO NEW

WFD…. WESTFIELD FINANCIAL INC

WFSL…. WASHINGTON FEDERAL INC

WGNB…. W G N B CORP

WHG…. WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP INC

WHI…. W HOLDING CO INC

WIBC…. WILSHIRE BANCORP INC

WL…. WILMINGTON TRUST CORP

WLP…. WELLPOINT INC

WM…. WASHINGTON MUTUAL INC

WPL…. STEWART W P & CO LTD

WRB…. BERKLEY W R CORP

WSB…. W S B HOLDINGS INC

WSBC…. WESBANCO INC

WSFG…. W S B FINANCIAL GROUP

WSFS…. WSFS FINANCIAL CORP

WTBA…. WEST BANCORPORATION INC

WTFC…. WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION

WTM…. WHITE MOUNTAINS INS GROUP INC

WTNY…. WHITNEY HOLDING CORP

WVFC…. WVS FINANCIAL CORP

XL…. X L CAPITAL LTD

Y…. ALLEGHANY CORP DE

YAVY….. YADKIN VALLEY FINANCIAL CORP

ZION…. ZIONS BANCORP

ZNT…. ZENITH NATIONAL INSURANCE CORP

Next week we’ll see the reports from Washington Mutual (woohoo) and Wachovia. They are expected to report losses as well. Of course, you know why everyone is reporting losses? I won’t default on my credit cards because I’m working hard to build my credit.

I’d like to see how my creditors are doing. I can’t think of who they are off the top of my head, but I think I’m keeping them in business with my student loan debt. It could be worse I suppose.

I am not the only person with this problem. There are plenty of new grads out there hopelessly looking for professional entry level work, who just aren’t finding it. We’re told when you graduate high school, the next step is OBVIOUSLY college, but does it have to be?

People are getting laid off, unemployment is up and student loans are needing to be paid. This is why you’ll find new grads working as delivery drivers for your local Domino’s. They can’t find work anywhere else.

Perhaps its time to give high school students time to really think about what they want to do with their lives rather than sending them blindly into college. Not everyone knows what they want to be when they grow up.