According to the Child Welfare League of America (www.cwla.org), an association of nearly 800 public and private nonprofit agencies, state and local CPS agencies received an estimated 3.3 million reports of abuse and neglect for 6 million children in 2005.An estimated 899,000 of these reports were substantiated after follow-up investigation.
In 2005, approximately 149,234 children were physically abused, 83,607 were sexually abused and 1,371 died as a result of abuse or neglect.The majority were under 4 years of age. According to CWLA, many experts believe the number of abuse- and neglect-related deaths may be much higher than the official figures.
Learn startling and disturbing national and state facts on the CWLA Web site.See how your state stacks up in this horrible fight.
There are approximately 12,000,000 illegal immigrants in the U. S. according to the Pew Hispanic Center. That is nearly 1 out of every 26 people in the U. S. There were 7,200,000 undocumented employees in the U. S. in March 2005. The penalty for hiring an illegal can result in one of the most severe and damaging effects to a small business. In Arizona, for example, the employer-sanctions law will revoke the license of any company caught twice with undocumented workers knowingly on the payroll. A business with multiple locations could face a shutdown of its entire operation if one undocumented employee is found at one location. Wal-Mart was fined $11,000,000 because their cleaning contractors hired illegal workers.
This is a staggering, wide-spread, monumental, out-of-control problem! Phony records to convince an employer, such as a Social Security card, can be purchased for $50. The media reported in June of 2007 that the Social Security number of a young woman in California is being used by at least 81 people in 17 states to get work. The Social Security Administration was powerless to stop the practice, so they issued the young woman a new number. A 2005 report by the Federal Government Accountability Office cited that between 1985 and 2000 more than, believe it or not, 9,000,000 people got hired using Social Security number 000-00-0000.
This is a national epidemic over which a business can be destroyed. For protection, a business must participate in The E-Verify program, formerly known as Basic Employment Verification Pilot (“Basic Pilot”), to determine employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. It is administered jointly by the Department of Homeland Security through United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Social Security Administration. Visit the USCIS Web site: https://www.vis-dhs.com/EmployerRegistration.
The American financial system is global.It is the main engine that drives the world’s economy.As large players are remaking the financial world, small local banks are once again proving their resilience.
Large investment banks were global and have deservedly bitten the dust because of greed and dishonesty encouraged by inadequate regulation.The large commercial banks that played fast and loose with regulations also deservedly bit the dust.The people badly hurt were every-day folks like employees, taxpayers, stockholders, businesses that relied on lines of credit and the retired populace.
Recent turmoil on Wall Street has positioned Main Street community banks to prosper greater than ever before in history.Small business owners and consumers can clearly differentiate between investment banks, super-sized commercial banks and small community banks.
We now have small community banks from across the country surfacing with their side of what really is happening.See the links below to articles that have surfaced this month.
The five small Arizona community banks I helped start during the past three years are local, play by the rules and are generally very safe!They hire outside audit firms annually and outside firms on a quarterly basis to make sure management follow the strategic business plan authorized by regulators and mandated by the board.
Every single solitary FDIC insured bank is required to file a quarterly financial statement with the FDIC.Check records of any bank in the U.S. on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Web site, www.fdic.gov.It is an open book.
The banks I helped start are Pinnacle Bank, Sonoran Bank, N.A., West Valley National Bank, RepublicBankAZ, N.A.I am currently helping form 5 more banks in Arizona.That is how much confidence I have in the economic future of Arizona.That is how much confidence directors of the banks have.They are people of financial means who make a habit of carefully analyzing the businesses they start including banks.
Attached are stockholder letters from Pinnacle, Sonoran and West Valley National Banks.These are 3 of the 5 banks I helped start in the Phoenix area.As you can see, none have conducted the type of business that has gotten their larger brethren in trouble.Our banks know better!Careful selection and training of board and staff pays off.As you can see, Sonoran and WestValley are looking to acquire other banks.Check out the Web sites of all 5 at www.pinnaclebankaz.com; www.sonoranbank.com; www.wvnb.net; www.republicaz.com; www.gcbaz.com.
What an amazing time to start a bank.Read the 3 letters and then if you have time, click on to some of the links below for current news about small banks across the country.Tell your friends and associates since all they have to go by is media sensationalism and the frightening political lies they hear.
Also, be sure to read New banks being pressured to provide business loans in the Phoenix Business Journal this week at http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/.Regulators may have limited say so over big banks, but they are very demanding that small banks follow rules of safety and soundness.
As of June 30, the FDIC had 117 insured banks and S&Ls on its problem list. That represented about 1 percent of the nearly 8,500 institutions insured as of June 30.
Based on its analysis of the June 30 numbers, Bauer Financial, Inc. concluded that 426 federally insured institutions are grappling with major problems — about 5 percent of all banks and S&Ls. About 13% of banks on the FDIC trouble list will usually fold.
“It’s scary right now, but it’s not as scary as a lot of people are making it out to be,” said James Barth, now a senior fellow at the Milken Institute, a think tank. Barth was chief economist of the regulatory agency that oversaw the S&L industry in the 1980s.
Economic tumult is creating expansion opportunities for healthy banks.
Local banks benefit from crisis RoxReview.com - Philadelphia,PA,USA
Small, community banks have gained business.”People are looking for peace of mind,” said Christopher McGill, president and CEO of East River Bank. … See all stories on this topic
Hometown banks see increase Jackson Sun - Jackson,TN,USA
Recent bank failures and instability in the stock market have driven some Madison County residents to smaller community banks. Deposits at the Bank of … See all stories on this topic
Statement of condition Purcell Register - Purcell,OK,USA
“We want to keep our customers happy and safe,” First American Bank Executive Vice-President Mike Murphy said. “We will be here for the long haul. …
Minnesota’s small and mid-sized banks still doing well Finance and Commerce - Minneapolis,MN,USA
But their much smaller siblings among Minnesota’s community banks are generally doing just fine, keeping capital flowing into a surprisingly busy local …
‘We have cash to lend,’ many small banks proclaim Nashua Telegraph - Nashua,NH,USA
Executives of three local community banks and credit unions say they avoided the disastrous path of subprime loans and are connecting qualified borrowers to …
Bank execs: Community banks afloat, on course in turbulent … Russellville Courier - Russellville,AR,USA
I don’t know one community bank in the area that’s not making loans. “The public is inundated with national news that you can’t get a loan,” Ron Jackson, …
Banking savvy that will help you sleep Boston Herald - United States
Despite the failure of several large banks, more than 65 percent of banks still receive four- or five-star ratings from BauerFinancial, which also rates …
NH banks‘ loan care pays off The Union Leader - Manchester,NH,USA
By DENIS PAISTE MANCHESTER – New Hampshirecommunity banks that passed on sub-prime lending during the housing boom are finding they have retained low …
Commercial banks stand to profit from Black Monday, economist says Daily Commercial News - Toronto,Ontario,Canada
“The commercial banks are reaping a bonanza in cash deposits,” says Carrick. “In fact, there may be a double benefit to the bank from the stock-market …
Amid crisis, local banks see opportunity Burlington Times News - Burlington,NC,USA
While no one truly knows what’s ahead, some folks say that North Carolina and its community banks could be a good place to weather the storm. …
Nothing’s the Matter With Kansas Wall Street Journal - USA Community banks like mine are still making loans and serving the needs of customers. I used to worry about competing in the world of mega “too-big-to-fail” … See all stories on this topic
Local banks weather market Evening Observer - Dunkirk,NY,USA
Daniel Drozdiel, district manager at Community Bank, said although people are being more cautious and restrictive with their investing, local banks which …
Business as usual for local banks Marshall News Messenger - Marshall,TX,USA
By Charles Iyoho, News Messenger East Texas banks have remained sound, local bankers said Friday, despite Congress having to approve an unprecedented $700 …
Small banks may not see big bailout boost San Diego Union Tribune - United States
By Mike Freeman San Diego County’s small banks conceivably could benefit from the controversial $700 billion bailout package by selling troubled mortgages …
Bailout raises FDIC coverage to $250K Andalusia Star-News - Andalusia,AL,USA
CCB’s Allen Mims said community banks really aren’t involved in the kinds of problems Congress is trying to help solve. “Our deposits are here, …
Bank branch now open Times-Mail (subscription) - Bedford,IN,USA
The local community banks with us, and in turn, we can invest back into the local community. We can add a lot to this community from the standpoint that …
Mass. banks stand to make gains Boston Globe - United States
“We could see some benefit to the commercial banks,” said Gerard Cassidy, managing director of equity research at RBC Capital Markets in Portland, Maine. …
Are NDs Banks/CUs safe? | KXNet.com North Dakota News KXMC - Minot,ND,USA
Terry Zeltinger, President - United Community Bank: “We’re kind of insulated from this, because our economy is robust and things are going very well. …
The truth is, Graham’s banks are thriving Graham Leader - Graham,TX,USA
“Community banks across this country, and especially in Texas, remain in good financial condition and have been doing business as usual,” Gober says. …
Bankers: Local money secure Bluefield Daily Telegraph - Bluefield,WV,USA
“All of the national news is talking about the very large banks in the country. Most of the local banks, like First Community Bank, are community banks. …
Community banks eye ex-Wachovia depositors Birmingham Business Journal - Birmingham,AL,USA
“There’s no question we are already receiving comments that customers are walking in the door wanting to bring their money back home to the community banks. …
Cape Region banks are weathering the financial storm CapeGazette - Lewes,DE,USA
Depositing more money with local banks also means community banks can continue to provide car and home loans – at least for now. …
Small US banks see deposits surge
United Press International - USA
WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (UPI) — Bankers say there has been a surge of new deposits in small community banks across the United States since the Wall Street …
After 20 years, bank president still enjoys job
Times Daily (subscription) - Florence,AL,USA
“There hasn’t been a community bank that’s failed in the state in excess of 20 years.” It’s not just banks that are experiencing the most problems today, …
Big Country banks are safe, secure and stable
Abilene Reporter-News - Abilene,TX,USA
With regard to these events and despite all the commentary, we would like to advise people that community banks are safe, secure and open for business. …
What credit crunch?
Minneapolis Star Tribune - Minneapolis,MN,USA
Indeed, a spot check with commercial banks across the state echoed Ruiter’s observation. “Our loan growth is up on the business side,” said Steve Meads, … See all stories on this topic
According to a 1997 study done by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Northeastern University, animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people and four times more likely to commit property crimes than are individuals without a history of animal abuse.
Many studies in psychology, sociology, and criminology during the last 25 years have demonstrated that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty. The FBI has recognized the connection since the 1970s, when its analysis of the lives of serial killers suggested that most had killed or tortured animals as children.
Other research has shown consistent patterns of animal cruelty among perpetrators of more common forms of violence, including child abuse, spouse abuse, and elder abuse. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association considers animal cruelty one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder.
67% of criminals released from prison in 1994 were re-arrested for at least one serious crime within the next three years (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 6/2/02)
The National Crime Victimization Survey, released by the U.S. Department of Justice in December of 2001, analyzed workplace violence from 1993 to 1999. On average, 1.7 million violent incidents per year were committed against employees at work.Violent criminals go through life harming others.