CEO pay has been going in one direction for the past three years: up.

The head of a typical large public company made $9.7 million in 2012, a 6.5 percent increase from a year earlier that was aided by a rising stock market, according to an analysis by The Associated Press using data from Equilar, an executive pay research firm.

2. Number of Women-Owned Businesses Booming in Tennessee - Friday, April 12, 2013

The number of women-owned businesses in Tennessee has grown faster than the national average over a 16-year period, according to a recent report commissioned by American Express OPEN.

Tennessee ranks No. 14 in the nation in the growth of the number of women-owned businesses from 1997 to 2013, according to The 2013 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report. The number of women-owned businesses in Tennessee grew 65 percent to an estimated 164,600 firms employing 117,800 over the report’s 16-year study period. Revenue at women-owned firms in Tennessee also increased 71.5 percent during the study period.

3. Shift From Monologue to Dialogue - Wednesday, February 27, 2013

For more than a decade, companies have slowly shifted their focus to fit an era of deep consumer engagement. They have begun to embrace social media management, and they are better integrating print and TV campaigns with their online and social media presence. Unfortunately, it’s not enough.

4. Raising Awareness - Thursday, January 10, 2013

The Shelby County Breastfeeding Coalition continues its rollout of a new marketing campaign across the city to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and how it contributes to the overall health of the mother and child.

5. Grace St. Luke’s Adds ‘Little Lukers’ Program - Friday, December 14, 2012

Next year, Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School will welcome a new group of students onto its Midtown Memphis campus: 2-year-olds.

Officials at the private school for students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade recently announced the addition of a new program for 2-year-olds and young 3s at its Miss Lee’s Preschool. The Little Lukers program will open in 2013, and applications are being accepted through Jan. 15.

6. Small Business Saturday Celebrates the Little Guy - Friday, November 16, 2012

Consumers tend to have a kind of paradoxical regard for Black Friday, when hordes of shoppers swamp America’s malls, department stores and other retailers on the hunt for a bargain but dreading the chaos.

7. Obama Pressing Business and Labor on Fiscal Cliff - Thursday, November 15, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – In a challenge to Republicans, President Barack Obama urged Congress on Wednesday to extend expiring tax cuts immediately for all but the highest income earners as a way to eliminate half of the so-called fiscal cliff that threatens to send the economy back into recession.

8. FedEx Giving Away $1 Million to Shoppers - Wednesday, October 31, 2012

For the second straight holiday shopping season, FedEx Corp. is giving away $1 million to help boost small business.

9. Levine Named President of Southern Growth Studio - Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Mark Levine has joined Southern Growth Studio as president. In his role, Levine leads the firm’s Strategic Analysis team and plays a key part in the company’s culture, business development and client relationship management.

10. Wal-Mart, American Express Team on Prepaid Card - Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and American Express are rolling out a prepaid card that they say offers unique services designed to help customers manage and control their everyday finances.

11. American Airlines: Key Revenue Number Rises - Tuesday, October 09, 2012

DALLAS (AP) – American Airlines parent AMR Corp. said Monday that a key revenue measure rose 4 percent in September although traffic declined as the carrier struggled with widespread flight delays and cancellations.

12. Airways Transit Center Awarded LEED Certification - Monday, October 08, 2012

The Memphis Area Transit Authority Airways Transit Center has been granted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Certification from Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council.

13. Amex Paying $112.5 Million in Late-Fee Settlements - Tuesday, October 02, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – American Express Co. is paying $112.5 million in refunds and fines to settle regulators' accusations that it charged unlawful late fees and deceived customers to pressure them to pay off old debts or buy extra credit card services.

14. Feds Order Discover to Refund $200 Million to Cardholders - Tuesday, September 25, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Discover Bank will pay millions in fees to settle accusations by regulators that it pressured credit card customers to buy costly add-on services like payment protection and credit monitoring.

15. AP IMPACT: Aggressive Start for Consumer Bureau - Thursday, September 13, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – The new federal agency charged with enforcing consumer finance laws is emerging as an ambitious sheriff, taking on companies for deceptive fees and marketing and unmoved by protests that its tactics go too far.

16. American Airlines Signs Deal to Outsource Some Flying - Thursday, September 13, 2012

DALLAS (AP) – American Airlines has agreed to outsource some of its regional flying to SkyWest Inc., part of American's plan to cut costs while it's under bankruptcy protection.

17. Ambassador Stresses Singapore’s Trade Importance - Friday, August 31, 2012

When David Adelman, the U.S. ambassador to Singapore came to Memphis this month, there was more than a little interest from FedEx Corp. in his visit.

18. New Coupons Aim to Keep People Off Generic Drugs - Tuesday, August 21, 2012

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – If brand-name prescription medicines cost you as little as generic pills, which would you choose? A few drugmakers are betting Americans will stick with the name they know.

19. Proposed Gas Tax Advances to November Memphis Ballot - Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Memphis City Council members gave final approval Tuesday, Aug. 7, to a second ballot question for the Nov. 6 ballot in Memphis.

On an 8-3 vote, the council approved on third and final reading the referendum ordinance that puts a one-cent-a-gallon local gas tax to Memphis voters. The same ballot will also include a referendum on a proposed half percent local sales tax hike the council approved in July.

20. US Consumers More Confident in the Economy in July - Wednesday, August 01, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – Americans breathed a bit easier about the economy in July, as a better outlook on short-term hiring and lower gas prices offset lingering worries about poor income growth.

21. Atheist Group Plans to Lobby Tenn. Legislators - Thursday, July 12, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A national group of atheists plans to lobby Tennessee lawmakers on issues involving separation of church and state.

According to The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/NgxoKA ), the Secular Coalition for America announced intention on Tuesday to organize a local chapter aimed at increasing the clout of local atheists and agnostics.

22. Natural Gas Prices Drop 3 Percent - Friday, June 29, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – The price of natural gas dropped more than 3 percent Thursday following reports of an unexpectedly large increase in U.S. supplies.

The U.S. Energy Department said that natural gas, which is burned for heat in the winter and electricity in the summer, grew in supply by 57 billion cubic feet last week. That's more than the 51 billion to 55 billion cubic feet that analysts were predicting. Prices tend to fall as supplies go up.

23. Natural Gas Prices Dip Below $2 - Thursday, April 12, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of natural gas has dropped below $2 for the first time in more than a decade.

A mild winter and production boom have left the U.S. with more natural gas than Americans can consume. Storage facilities are quickly filling up. The glut has pushed down the futures price of gas 59 percent since it peaked at $4.85 last summer.

24. First Lady Announces Travel Industry Jobs for Vets - Thursday, March 01, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – The travel industry is promising to create nearly 3,000 jobs for veterans and military spouses by 2014 as part of a program announced Wednesday by Michelle Obama.

The first lady's office said the American Society of Travel Agents was creating a coalition to help veterans and military spouses get jobs in the travel industry and hang on to them as families are transferred to different military bases.

25. Obama Promotes Steps to Boost US Trade - Monday, February 20, 2012

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) – President Barack Obama on Friday called for more steps to help U.S. companies compete overseas, standing in front of an enormous Boeing Dreamliner to summon a bright future for American manufacturing and exports.

26. Dutch Logistics Co. TNT Rejects UPS' $6.43B Bid - Monday, February 20, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – United Parcel Service, the world's largest package delivery company, said Friday it is still in talks to acquire TNT Express even after the Dutch package delivery company rejected a $6.43 billion bid.

27. Applying Pressure - Monday, February 20, 2012

On Super Bowl Sunday, a group of 20 people huddled near a set of about as many tents on the Civic Center Plaza – the part of the Main Street Mall that is home to City Hall as well as the county, state and federal buildings.

28. Major Projects on Tap at EDGE Meeting - Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Representatives of FedEx Express, a major steel producer, a medical diagnostics company and a manufacturer for the baking industry will all be in front of local economic development officials Wednesday, Feb. 15, in pursuit of financial incentives.

29. Bernanke: Weak Housing has Hurt Consumer Spending - Monday, February 13, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Ben Bernanke said declines in home prices have forced many Americans to cut back sharply on spending and warned that the trend could continue to weigh on the U.S. economy for years.

30. Quarterly Loss Hits $3.3B at Postal Service - Friday, February 10, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, the U.S. Postal Service's quarterly loss ballooned to $3.3 billion amid declining mail volume and the soaring costs of health benefits for future retirees.

31. CVS Caremark Q4 Profit Rises, 2012 Outlook Climbs - Thursday, February 09, 2012

Drugstore chain Walgreen's loss of a big client is turning into rival CVS Caremark's gain so far this year.

A contract squabble between Walgreen Co. and pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts Inc. has driven more customers to CVS pharmacies, prompting that company to raise its 2012 earnings forecast by 3 cents per share.

32. 'In the Middle' - Friday, December 30, 2011

Memphis executives and business owners moving their goods around the world this year kept a close eye on international developments like the Arab spring and the Greek government’s fiscal crisis.

33. CVS Caremark Rises on 2012 Profit Forecast - Wednesday, December 21, 2011

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) – Shares of CVS Caremark Corp. rose Tuesday after the company said it expects that profit at its Caremark pharmacy benefits management business will grow in 2012, reversing two years of declines.

34. Touch and Go - Monday, December 19, 2011

In the aviation industry, Memphis International Airport is considered a fortress hub, an airport where a single airline – in Memphis’ case, Delta Air Lines Inc. – handles 70 percent or more of the passenger flights.

35. Occupy Protests: Shop Mom-and-Pop on Black Friday - Thursday, November 24, 2011

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Occupy protesters want shoppers to occupy something besides door-buster sales and crowded mall parking lots on Black Friday.

Some don't want people to shop at all. Others just want to divert shoppers from big chains and giant shopping malls to local mom-and-pops. And while the actions don't appear coordinated, they have similar themes: supporting small businesses while criticizing the day's dedication to conspicuous consumption and the shopping frenzy that fuels big corporations.

36. Back to Black - Monday, November 28, 2011

The Friday after Thanksgiving, often dubbed, “Black Friday,” is considered by many to be the traditional start of the holiday season shopping in the U.S.

The origin of the term varies. Some sources attribute the Philadelphia Police Department’s coinage of the phrase in 1966 to describe the hectic traffic and chaotic crowds on the busy shopping day. Others deem the expression to reflect a retailer’s shift to profitability during the holiday season, when a boost in sales moves a business out of the “red” and into the “black.”

37. Minority Biz Council Presents Awards - Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division outshined co-finalists FedEx Express and Smith & Nephew to win Corporation of the Year Friday during the 26th annual Robert R. Church Achievement Awards Luncheon.

38. American Express Launches Target Prepaid Card - Wednesday, November 16, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – American Express cards are now available in the aisles of Target Corp. stores.

The New York company on Tuesday announced the official launch of its prepaid cards available exclusively at the discount retailer's stores across the country.

39. CVS Caremark Q3 Profit Rises 7 Percent - Friday, November 04, 2011

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) – CVS Caremark Corp.'s third-quarter earnings climbed 7 percent, as a long-term contract and acquisition boosted the pharmacy network claims it processed.

40. Carriers Enhance Motor Coach Service - Friday, November 04, 2011

As Greyhound prepares to move from its longtime Downtown bus station to the airport area this month, another change under way in the Memphis motor coach market reflects broader changes in the business nationally.

41. MasterCard Q3 Profit Up 38 Pct as Card Use Rises - Thursday, November 03, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – MasterCard Inc. said Wednesday its third-quarter profit soared 38 percent on a big spike in card use around the world.

42. Event Spotlights Growing India-Memphis Relationship - Thursday, November 03, 2011

The purchasing power of India’s growing middle class has American businesses racing to expand into that nation, and on Tuesday, Nov. 1, Memphis Bioworks Business Association hosted an event offering local bioscience and related companies insight into the tools and information they need to develop a presence in a market that’s moving from exporting to importing.

43. City Pride - Tuesday, October 18, 2011

“Memphis,” the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, took New York by storm where it started a successful run two years ago.

In Memphis, the popular musical’s namesake city where this weekend at the Orpheum Theatre it kicked off an 80-week tour, it may have to work a little harder to resonate with audiences.

44. Memphis Cos. Seek Emerging Markets - Friday, October 14, 2011

Executives at the Memphis headquarters of International Paper Co. like to recount the corporate giant’s experience in Russia in the 1990s.

45. Credit Card Defaults, Late Payments Slide - Friday, September 16, 2011

Credit card issuers had a somewhat bumpy summer, but most of the top banks are reporting that their customers continued to make payments on time.

Default rates are down at three of the four companies reporting their August results. Only Capital One Financial Corp. says it saw an uptick in the rate it wrote off balances as uncollectible.

46. Former CFO of 'Green' Group Pleads Guilty to Fraud - Thursday, September 15, 2011

NASHVILLE (AP) – The former chief financial officer of a Knoxville nonprofit group that promotes energy from renewable sources has pleaded guilty to skimming federal funds.

Cameron J. Potter worked for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

47. US Gets Chance to Catch Up on Credit Card Security - Monday, September 12, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – The next time you swipe your credit card at check-out, consider this: It's a ritual the rest of the world deems outdated and unsafe.

The United States is the only developed country still hanging on to credit and debit cards with those black magnetic stripes, the kind you swipe through retail terminals. The rest of the industrialized world has switched –or is in the process of switching– to "smart" chip-based cards.

48. American Way Hotel Sold After Foreclosure - Monday, August 29, 2011

The hotel at 4225 American Way Boulevard in Parkway Village has sold for $1 million to a Knoxville investor following a foreclosure.

49. Obama Consults With GE, AMEX Execs on Job Creation - Thursday, August 25, 2011

VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. (AP) – President Barack Obama is soliciting advice from the co-chairmen of his jobs council on employment boosting initiatives in advance of a major economics address he intends to deliver after Labor Day.

50. Kritchevsky: Moot Court Like ‘Law School Sports’ - Thursday, August 25, 2011

As a law professor for the University Of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School Of Law for more than 25 years, Barbara Kritchevsky has contributed her knowledge of the law by serving as the school’s associate dean and now director of advocacy.

51. Credit Card Late Payments Hit 17-Year Low in Q2 - Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Credit card users are so focused on keeping their accounts in good standing that they’ve driven the rate of late payments down to its lowest level in 17 years.

The national credit card delinquency rate, or rate of payments 90 days or more past due, fell to 0.60 percent in the second quarter, down from 0.92 percent a year ago. That’s the lowest rate since 1994, according to credit reporting agency TransUnion.

52. CVS Caremark Q2 Profit Slips 1 Percent - Friday, August 05, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – CVS Caremark said Thursday its profit slipped 1 percent in the second quarter as its pharmacy benefits management business weathered lower prices on contract renewals.

The Woonsocket, R.I., company said Caremark faced lower prices related to contract renewals. The most significant of those was its retail pharmacy contract with the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program, which the company renewed in the third quarter of 2010. While those renewals cut into its profit, total revenue for CVS Caremark rose 10.9 percent to $14.57 billion as the company began a new 12-year contract with Aetna Inc. and acquired Universal American Corp.'s Medicare Part D business.

53. White House Threatens to Veto Boehner's House Plan - Wednesday, July 27, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House threatened on Tuesday to veto emergency House legislation that aims to avert a threatened national default, a pre-emptive strike issued as Republican Speaker John Boehner labored to line up enough votes in his own party to pass the measure.

54. These Three Things - Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Thing 1: Earnings As we entered earnings season, anxiety centered primarily on the financial sector given the feeble U.S. economy, stagnant housing markets and low financial market activity. The tapestry of earnings information provided by financials to date has well exceeded these low expectations. Certain surprises, such as American Express members’ record card usage, merit applause. Within more traditional lending institutions, loss provisions have ebbed. Commercial loan growth contributed to earnings in the quarter, and volumes have now grown for eight straight months. Beyond financials, high concerns around tech earnings have also abated, with 21 of 22 reports to date ahead of estimates. Overall, of the 121 S&P 500 companies that have reported, 101 have beaten estimates. Revenues have also surprised skeptics, climbing more than 10 percent overall.

55. Accredo Health Parent Merges With Express Scripts - Friday, July 22, 2011

Medco Health Solutions Inc., the parent company of Memphis-based Accredo Health Group, announced Thursday, July 21, it had signed a merger agreement with Express Scripts Inc.

56. Stocks Mixed After Biggest Day in a Year - Thursday, July 21, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) — One day after the Dow Jones industrial average had its best day this year, the stock market is drifting between slight gains and losses Wednesday. Analysts say concerns about lifting the U.S. debt limit are trumping strong earnings from Apple and a slew of new deals.

57. Hansen Promoted to Store Manager at Macy’s - Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Greg Hansen has been promoted to vice president/store manager at Macy’s Oak Court.

Hometown: Lynbrook, N.Y.

58. Colbert Gets Conditional OK on Campaign Finance - Friday, July 01, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Election Commission said Thursday that comedian Stephen Colbert can use his TV show's resources to boost his political action committee, but he must disclose some major expenses as in-kind contributions from the show's corporate owners.

59. Thompson Dunavant Official Earns Special Certification - Tuesday, June 28, 2011

William Spilman, payment card industry (PCI) compliance practice leader with Thompson Dunavant PLC, has earned a specialized certification.

Spilman recently completed the education security training requirements necessary to perform a PCI compliance audit and consulting related to the protection of credit card data. He’s also received the Quality Service Assessor (QSA) designation.

60. Rules Would Speed Up Union Elections - Wednesday, June 22, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Labor regulators are proposing sweeping new rules that would dramatically speed up the time frame for union elections, a move that could make it easier for struggling unions to organize new members, and cut the time businesses have to mount anti-union campaigns.

61. American Express Rolling out First Prepaid Card - Wednesday, June 15, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – American Express is rolling out its first prepaid card aimed at the general market on Tuesday as it moves to stake a claim in the growing industry.

The announcement marks a notable departure for the company, which is known for catering to a more affluent clientele with its signature green charge cards.

62. Wal-Mart CEO Pushes Plan to Keep Retailer Growing - Monday, June 06, 2011

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. unveiled a $15 billion share buyback program Friday as it hammered home its message to shareholders at its annual meeting that the world's largest retailer will keep growing.

63. Crum Wins Entrepreneur Of the Year Award - Friday, May 20, 2011

After growing up with a family in the fabric industry, Kelly Crum, owner and president of American Clothing Express Inc., decided to create his own wholesale business in 1997. His efforts were recognized recently, when Crum received the 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year Award, presented by the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce.

64. Multiple Cultures Mix at East Memphis’ Tokyo Grill - Friday, April 22, 2011

We live about two miles from Asian Palace Express, or, I should say, where the take-out restaurant used to be, so it was convenient on nights we didn’t want to cook to drive over and get an order of wonton soup and an order of war wonton soup – at home I would mix them together.

65. As Ticket Prices Have Risen, So Have Some Bag Fees - Friday, April 01, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – While higher airfares are grabbing travelers' attention, airlines have also quietly been raising their fees for checked bags.

Some airlines have added a $30 fee for a second checked bag on international flights, or raised existing fees by $5 to $10. Others are charging significantly more – sometimes double – for overweight or oversized bags.

66. Grill Brings Taste Of Tokyo to Memphis - Thursday, March 24, 2011

The owner of Tokyo Grill, a new eatery in the heart of East Memphis, is on a mission to serve up tasty Japanese fare to hungry Memphians fast and at an affordable price.

Aaron Liu claims his establishment is the Bluff City’s first Japanese take-out restaurant.

67. WPG Americas Signs Lease in Southaven - Friday, March 18, 2011

A San Jose, Calif.-based worldwide electronics distributor is entering the Memphis area with full force.

WPG Americas Inc. has signed a 54,000-square-foot lease at Airways Distribution Center, 481 Industrial Drive, in Southaven. The project – a relocation of the WPG America’s New York facility – represents a $1.5 million investment by the company and will create 60 jobs over the next three years.

68. FedEx Express Bans East Japan Shipments - Monday, March 14, 2011

Memphis-based FedEx announced this week it will continue a ban on accepting FedEx Express shipments this week for eastern Japan from any location, citing “the instability of infrastructure including transportation, power and fuel, pickup and delivery services” in the wake of last week’s earthquake and tsunami.

69. French Delegation Looks to Memphis for Biz Strategy - Monday, March 14, 2011

A trio of visitors to Memphis from France last week spiced their conversation with words instantly familiar to a group of Memphians working to promote the medical and biosciences sector of the Memphis economy.

70. Bernanke: Rising Oil Prices Pose Threat to Economy - Wednesday, March 02, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress on Tuesday that a prolonged rise in oil prices would pose a danger to the economy. But he said a more likely outcome is a temporary and modest increase in consumer prices, not runaway inflation.

71. Obama Names Business, Labor Leaders to New Council - Thursday, February 24, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama is naming leaders from business and labor to his newly created jobs and competitiveness council.

Among the members Obama announced Wednesday are AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka and Kenneth Chenault, the head of American Express. Obama also named Penny Pritzker, the finance chair for his 2008 presidential campaign, to the board.

72. Chamber Breakfast to Help Businesses ‘Revive and Thrive’ - Monday, January 31, 2011

Jane Applegate, the leading speaker for Bloomberg Television’s “Financial Forum” speaker series, will discuss growth strategies for small businesses at the Greater Memphis Chamber’s first Small Business Council Breakfast of 2011.

73. Memphis Orgs Gear up for MLK Weekend - Thursday, January 13, 2011

Perhaps more so than in any other city because of its prominent place in the history of the American civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Memphis serves as a strong reminder of King’s legacy of service to others and his powerful advocacy for social change through nonviolent action.

74. Baptist Forms Partnership With Stern Cardiovascular - Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Consistent with a national trend of health care systems partnering with physicians groups – cardiology groups in particular – Baptist Memorial Medical Group has announced its partnership with Stern Cardiovascular Center, one of the region’s largest cardiology group practices.

75. Cybercrime Keeps Businesses Attuned to IT Security - Wednesday, January 05, 2011

With recent personal information heists receiving national attention, many local business owners are on high alert when it comes to cybercrime.

As Internet crime is evolving every day, so too must the security measures used in order to keep merchants and consumers safe.

76. Retail Rebound? - Monday, December 27, 2010

Retail sales are looking bright this year, a sign that the pendulum of consumer confidence is swinging back in the right direction.

Holiday sales are anticipated to increase a modest 3.3 percent this year – adjusted from 2.3 percent in November – according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). This year’s uptick follows 2008’s 3.9 percent decline and also tops the 10-year average holiday sales increase of 2.5 percent.

77. Stores Push Gimmicks for Super Saturday - Monday, December 20, 2010

Many stores are pushing discounts and other gimmicks for the last weekend before Christmas. Research firm ShopperTrak predicts Saturday will be the second or third busiest shopping day of the year.

78. Obama Says He Shares Mission With Business Leaders - Thursday, December 16, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama, trying to boost anemic job creation and improve testy relations with the corporate community, said Wednesday he wants ideas from business leaders on how to “seize the promise of this moment.”

79. Ear Relief: Congress Acts to Stifle Loud TV Ads - Monday, December 06, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – Here's a message TV viewers may not want to mute: The days of getting blasted out of the easy chair by blaring TV commercials may soon be over.

The House on Thursday gave final congressional approval to a bill that would prevent advertisers from abruptly raising the volume to catch the attention of viewers wandering off when regular programming is interrupted.

80. MMBC Honors Minority Business Achievements - Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The new chairman of the Greater Memphis Chamber told attendees at the annual Mid-South Minority Business Council awards luncheon that minority business is about more than “the spend.”

The term came up frequently at last week’s luncheon where the organization presented the 25th annual Robert R. Church Achievement Awards.

81. MMBC Honors Minority Biz Achievements - Monday, November 22, 2010

The new chairman of the Greater Memphis Chamber told those at the annual Mid-South Minority Business Council awards luncheon that minority business is about more than “the spend.”

The term came up frequently at Friday’s luncheon where the organization presented the 25th annual Robert R. Church Achievement Awards.

82. Credit Card Writedowns Continue Decline in October - Tuesday, November 16, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) – The ability of credit card holders to pay off debt has shown sustained improvement this year and on Monday the top U.S. credit card issuers said that trend continued in October.

83. AmEx Promotes 'Small Business Saturday' - Tuesday, November 09, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) – Hoping to drum up support for independent merchants, American Express' CEO said Monday that his company will promote "Small Business Saturday" on the weekend after Thanksgiving.

84. Omni Visions Deal Headlines Leasing Activity - Friday, October 29, 2010

Omni Visions Inc. recently signed a new lease at Kirby Gate Business Campus, 2725 Kirby Parkway, for 3,523 square feet.

85. Memphis Trucking Co. Receives Safety Award - Tuesday, October 26, 2010

TCW Inc. and Tennessee Express have received the 2010 American Trucking Associations President’s Trophy from the ATA Safety Management Council.

86. DOJ Sues 3 Big Credit Card Cos, May Settle With 2 - Tuesday, October 05, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Justice Department on Monday sued the three largest U.S. credit card companies for anticompetitive practices and reached a proposed settlement with two of them, MasterCard and Visa.

87. Junior Achievement Launches ‘Vote for JA’ Initiative - Monday, September 13, 2010

Junior Achievement of Memphis has launched “Vote for JA” in an effort to win $200,000 to help benefit Junior Achievement students in Memphis.

The “Vote for JA” initiative is taking place in conjunction with the American Express Members Project and their partner TakePart. Junior Achievement is participating to help raise awareness about the rate of high school dropouts in the country.

88. Pitfalls Remain With Gift Cards, Despite New Rules - Friday, September 10, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) – New federal rules for gift cards mean you have longer to use them and don't face as many costs up front. But many problems remain.

For starters, the rules that went into effect last month don't cover all gift cards. And the Americans who spend tens of billions of dollars each year on gift cards – $23.6 billion last November and December alone – still have to pay fees for not using them, and those fees aren't capped.

89. No Recession Here: Election Spending Sets Records - Wednesday, September 08, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – Turns out politics, for all its focus on the gloomy economy, is a recession-proof industry.

This year’s volatile election is bursting with money, setting fundraising and spending records in a high-stakes struggle for control of Congress amid looser but still fuzzy campaign finance rules.

90. Festival Highlights Memphis-India Connections - Thursday, August 26, 2010

When Memphians talk about India, two subjects almost always come up – overseas call centers and the film “Slumdog Millionaire.”

But organizers of this year’s annual IndiaFest said the nation’s cultural and business influence in Memphis is growing rapidly.

91. Spirit Fest Attracts Wide Array of Vendors, Speakers - Friday, August 20, 2010

Energy healers, tarot readers and crystal dealers from as far away as Illinois and Florida are preparing to set up shop this weekend at Spirit Fest 2010, which organizers and vendors expect to be the Mid-South’s most eclectic and expansive mind-body-spirit event.

92. AP Poll: Obama at New Low for Handling Economy - Thursday, August 19, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama earned his lowest marks ever on his handling of the economy in a new Associated Press-GfK poll, which also found that an overwhelming majority of Americans now describe the nation's financial outlook as poor.

93. After the Returns: Fog Lifter - Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Now that a third of the second-quarter earnings season has passed we can make informed generalizations.

The major macro variables assessed during each earnings season include revenue growth, earnings growth and forward guidance. Analysts expected modest revenue growth, robust earnings growth and cautious forward guidance from the reports.

94. Banking Group Spent $390K Lobbying in First Quarter - Monday, June 21, 2010

The Consumer Bankers Association spent $390,000 lobbying the federal government in the first quarter on sweeping legislation to overhaul financial regulation and a number of other issues, a disclosure report shows.

95. Fulbright-Dent Joins First Tennessee Team - Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Moya Fulbright-Dent has been named to the First Tennessee Bank private client team.

Hometown: Hot Springs, Ark.
Education: B.S. in finance, University of Memphis; MBA, Union University
Work Experience: Eight years at American Express Financial Advisors; six and a half years in banking, five at First Tennessee
Family: Husband and college sweetheart, Daniel; and two-year-old son, Colin.
Favorite quote: “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul – and sings the tunes without the words – and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson
Who has had the greatest influence on you? The two people who have influenced me most are my mother and my first boss, Harish Vishria. By example, my mom instilled a work ethic, mental toughness and positive attitude that has gotten me through every experience in my life. (Vishria) taught me the difference between a dream and a goal and gave me the ability to teach others how to achieve their dreams by setting goals.
Why did you pursue a career in financial services? As a child, I saw firsthand the difference asset management can make in not only one person’s life but that of a whole multigenerational family. When I was about 10 years old, two older family members passed away. I learned at that early age how difficult it can be to struggle with the emotional and financial challenges that can come with a loss in a family. I saw then how important it is to be prepared for life’s uncertainties so that one can make the right choices.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishments? I consider the everyday difference I am able to make in my clients’ lives my greatest accomplishment.
What do you most enjoy about your work? Each person’s financial situation is different. When I chose to major in business instead of art or literature, I thought I was giving up the chance to use my creativity. I have found that developing a plan for an individual, a family, or a business takes just as much creativity as writing a novel or painting a picture.

96. Clothing Company Files Loan on Bartlett Land - Thursday, June 03, 2010

American Clothing Express Inc. has filed a $3.1 million construction loan on 3.57 acres of land it owns at 3190 New Brunswick Road in Bartlett.

97. Marketing the Whole Truth to Women - Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Marketers beware: a nodding woman is not necessarily agreeing with you.

That’s essentially the message Jen Drexler, partner in the New York-based consulting firm Just Ask a Woman, sent the American Advertising Federation Memphis last week.

98. United Air In $3B-Plus Stock Deal For Continental - Tuesday, May 04, 2010

United Airlines has agreed to buy Continental in a $3 billion-plus deal that would create the world’s largest carrier.

The new United would surpass Delta Air Lines in size, which should help it attract more high-fare business travelers. It will fly to 370 destinations in 59 countries.

99. Restaurateurs Find Opportunities in New Technology - Thursday, April 22, 2010

Nowadays there’s a cell phone app for nearly everything – and restaurant reservations are no exception.

That’s not been lost on local restaurateurs, who are embracing online reservations and finding that they are weathering the struggling economy better as a result.

100. Huey’s ‘World-Famous’ Burger Turns 40 - Monday, April 19, 2010

It might have been called “Hamburgers for Healing,” but perhaps that would be too cheesy and obvious. The 40th anniversary party of Huey’s restaurants in Memphis will offer live music and the eatery’s world-famous burgers with hope in every mouthful.