http://www.philly.com/r?19=960&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2F Joseph N. DiStefano on M&A, commercial real estate and private equity news in Philadelphia and nearby. en-us Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:09:15 GMT 2009-11-06T17:09:15Z en-us http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69302412&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FBank_janitors_share_.html Seven cleaners for Optima Cleaning Services Inc.who worked at Wilmington Trust Corp. headquarters have been awarded a total of $24,000 in back wages to settle a complaint that Optima fired them for trying to organize a union. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:20:46 GMT 06ab8c0165de5170d5a142511e2915ea Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-05T19:20:46Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69279332&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FIMS_Health_sold_to_Texas_Pacific.html IIMS of Blue Bell sold to TPG buyout firm Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:31:04 GMT 20c749ce5dcf129a679eb3d92201f68f Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-05T14:31:04Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69374862&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FUS_unemployment_tops_10.html U.S. unemployment rose to 10.2% in October, up 0.4%, as 190,000 more people lost their jobs Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:55:27 GMT a05e34c72ed2d1089dfe3a113f1334da Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-06T15:55:27Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69373522&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FUS_risked_43_trillion_and_won_but_sent_bad_message_panel.html "The programs' income will likely exceed their direct expenditures" Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:39:09 GMT 00eb8c5a428a14caf8aad428eca66953 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-06T15:39:09Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69381497&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FEx-Citigroup_CEO_apologizes_calls_for_bank_break-up.html Citigroup cofounder John Reed says it was all a mistake Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:09:15 GMT d3f3a5fdea157114eaecd8901f7b8ee8 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-06T17:09:15Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69371672&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FFMC_names_Rohms_Boudreau_new_CEO.html Pierre Brondeau was cheated of the top job at Rohm & Haas Co. when Dow Chemical bought and began dismantling the Philadelphia specialty chemical maker this year. But the ex-Rohm president and chief operating officer was named CEO today at another global Philadelphia materials maker, FMC Corp Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:06:58 GMT daf41e3627bc2175baed8ed99c80a703 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-06T15:06:58Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69312477&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FHess_will_try_to_build_South_Jersey_gas_terminal.html Hess LNG says it's planning a scaled-back verison of the liquified natural gas terminal that BP tried and failed to build in Logan Township, creating hundreds of temporary construction jobs but scaring environmentalists in Delaware, which controls access to the site. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:09:08 GMT 6b5476cbdcdd2fe47ad7c18938a5338c Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-05T21:09:08Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69290507&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FIs_PNC_Capmarks_mystery_buyer.html Speculation over who'll buy troubled Capmark Financial Group's Horsham loan business - and whether they'll keep hundreds of local workers employed Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:05:01 GMT 474c15fd46f1304305ee87bf12d6bd45 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-05T17:05:01Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69314197&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FCVS_Caremark_tumbles_on_NJ_loss_union_pressure.html Shares of CVS Caremark fell 20 percent today after the Rhode Island-based national pharmacy manager said it had lost clients faster than it won new ones in the past year. Among its losses: $2 billion in yearly business from the State of New Jersey, where labor activists pushed state officials to not renew its contract. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:27:35 GMT 5329d0ed02cce48b2e14c392b85d0273 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-05T21:27:35Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69290877&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FTax_amnesty_brings_in_double_its_goal_from_late-payers.html Delaware Gov. Jack Markell says a "one-time tax amnesty program" through Oct. 30 has raised $15 million so far and has secured promises raising the total to $22 million by June from 14,000 delinquent accounts, more than double its $10 million target Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:10:15 GMT 7af57b8badb8f9e8daf5f0e3ed7a13a2 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-05T17:10:15Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69151012&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FSEI_likes_Congress_plan_to_ease_pension_costs.html Congress wants employers to put off refunding their pension plans and use the money instead to hire people now Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:09:47 GMT fb627dc238a8ed06567ec5def43185ce Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-04T20:09:47Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=68995912&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FCNBCs_Gasparino_.html "John Thain is pretty boring. Stan O'Neal is just ruthless. Dick Fuld is just kind of nasty, Chuck Prince is a doofus, Bob Rubin is kind of out to lunch" Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:27:41 GMT 4d51803441fa0b93c74be6fa9222aa10 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-04T00:27:41Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69162257&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FNJ_reps__Helping_small_business_or_weakening_reform.html After winning a 37-32 vote in the US House Financial Services Committee to prevent a Sarbanes-Oxley Act rule, forcing firms to disclose their internal financial controls, from applying to public companies worth less than $75 million, the bipartisan suburban duo of US Rep. John Adler, D-NJ, and Scott Garrett, R-NJ, are collecting both fame and scorn. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:13:49 GMT 4d3233a333e90c7b41ad5e67b897f7ac Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-04T21:13:49Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69152867&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FWhy_too_big_to_fail_banks_are_even_bigger.html The mysteries of PNC; why GMAC should have been allowed to fail Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:32:58 GMT 28aed93ad5f152646073aaa56560c386 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-04T20:32:58Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69130332&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FMore_casinos_on_the_way_near_PA.html Ohio gambling-hall advocates yesterday finally won a voter majority (53%) for four "resort-style casinos". That's more gamblers who won't be making the trip to Atlantic City or the PA slot-machine resorts. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:22:12 GMT 7049a323f6f556a600aaff1f86033e69 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-04T19:22:12Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69095612&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FGoya_Foods_.html Goya Foods is opening a big Pedricktown warehouse to service growing markets in metro Philadelphia and Washington DC. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:13:07 GMT 669533aeac008ea6f80f45cfa418e381 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-04T17:13:07Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=69124562&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FWhats_Warren_Buffett_really_up_to_.html The Burlington Northern Santa Fe is more than a freight railroad Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:18:55 GMT d796d8da21822f8cf5efa143a52199e6 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-04T18:18:55Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=68970232&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FJJ_boss_buys_8M_beach_property_fires_8000_report.html J&J CEO:: Not paying attention to the times, or doesn't care? Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:15:47 GMT 9cf2fae8e73a343b1a2938afa77f936f Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-03T23:15:47Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=68921937&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FCenter_City_leases_off_60_Wolters_KPMG_seek_space_says_JLL.html "The Philadelphia central business district's year-to-date leasing activity dropped off almost 60% compared to last year" Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:46:07 GMT 4898ab08b0aa8b3f6d713680b690e044 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-03T20:46:07Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=68848257&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FYankee_propaganda_Why_a_NY_series_win_is_good_for_US.html "If the Yankees win the World Series the economy will have a nice bounce back in 2010 but if the Phillies prevail it will be a long slog to recovery" Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:41:45 GMT 3fcd4413db66b30d6ab543a69b0f3257 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-03T15:41:45Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=68846852&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FWhy_didnt_PA_back_Phillys_22M_US_internet_proposal.html "The telephone companies and Comcast didn't want this to happen" Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:19:09 GMT 20791ca4afb8c51bf6a837ec4a6c0134 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-03T15:19:09Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=68843837&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FWarren_Buffetts_biggest_bet_44B_for_railroad_as_oil_rises.html "It's an all-in wager on the economic future of the United States" Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:33:16 GMT 2f8c90fb8beae65bfae74abc43d7ad79 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-03T14:33:16Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=66371387&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FVenture_capital_A_bad_10_years_worse_to_come.html Venture capital hasn't paid off for the past decade; its prospects are worse. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:58:14 GMT 8d92396a40294f001ea5d960f5e7cd30 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-27T12:58:14Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=68663662&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FAmericans_buying_less_stuff_on_credit_report.html For every $2 less that Americans are spending on their credit cards, they're spending less than a dollar from their bank (debit) accounts. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:33:10 GMT 7e6d905d8510f63c1ba5ec38c917939d Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-02T20:33:10Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=66942207&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FComcast_Dont_give_our_competitors_US_cash.html Comcast Corp. said some applicants for U.S. stimulus funds to expand high-speed Internet want to build in places already served by the company, which may violate eligibility rules, Bloomberg reports Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:35:39 GMT 3428cb594235a0fc06f8f386169dba9d Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-28T16:35:39Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=68576667&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FPA_Turnpike_Commissions_toll_plan_based_on_mystery_data_.html "An obscure company whose main expertise is jails is key financial advisor to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in their application to the Feds for permission to toll I-80" Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:44:27 GMT 3db4c99fa539872b86c811f7c53f2ec0 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-02T16:44:27Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=68645072&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FBanker_Leftist_protesters_dont_know_their_real_enemies_.html Local banker Gerry Banmiller says his peers resent being lumped with AIG, Citi and Goldman Sachs Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:48:38 GMT 522c9ca4e23073a106f4929371ed99d9 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-02T19:48:38Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=68631162&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FFTC_delays_sweeping_Red_Flags_data_rule_again.html FTC again folds its "Red Flags" business-data security rule, under pressure from Congress and key business lobbies Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:18:15 GMT 91ec9695edcc28dc9b0e5b81da184ae0 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-02T19:18:15Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67621277&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FTreasury_gives_out_5_billion_for_investment_tax_credits.html Supermarket and housing developers to collect federal tax credits Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:08:06 GMT e2e4548e3eb76692ee876da15e1105ae Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-30T16:08:06Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=68596777&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FFree_video_is_dead_report.html "The war is over. The subscription model has won" Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:55:54 GMT 533de782d1ee5519783847f738df4e54 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-02T17:55:54Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67303562&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FUS-backed_Lincoln_Natl_zooms_15_on_higher_profits.html Shares of Lincoln National Corp. rose as much as 15% to around $25 in trading today as the Radnor-based insurance and annuities company reported better-than-expected profits Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:07:18 GMT c5e7033b166c89905a0807d3cd3743df Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-29T20:07:18Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67625182&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FWhy_Wall_Street_is_rooting_for_the_Yankees.html Not just because the Bombers are from New York. Also because Philly teams only win back-to-back when the economy is in really bad shape Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:17:28 GMT 66877b41875c2d3bc00722de430dae68 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-30T16:17:28Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67606667&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FFinancial_ruin_dumps_fine_art_on_the_market.html $40,000 for Andy Warhol's Grace Kelly portrait at Sunday's Center City auction of art owned by the late Lehman Bros. and others. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:42:54 GMT 923982d913c2cdce833468db27013af1 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-30T15:42:54Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67611537&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FMetro_Bank_merger_delayed_again.html Regulators still puzzling over Metro-First Republic deal Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:50:45 GMT d346d884f2564ba58737576f94f36e2e Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-30T15:50:45Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67630642&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FBrandywines_Sweeney_More_job_losses_around_Philly.html "We do expect additional job losses" to hurt the office market, says Brandywine Realty ceo Jerry Sweeney Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:25:49 GMT 37eb3c4f5efe9d6451d5209bc3ac38f7 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-30T16:25:49Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67681517&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FUS_wind-power_grants_come_with_few_strings_report.html DC reporters use Inquirer work to challenge a no-strings Treasury subsidy Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:54:58 GMT 53f90deb82471db65a653f70983adaba Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-30T17:54:58Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=68543967&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FTastykake_Sales_growth_slow_as_bakery_moves_to_South_Philly.html Tastykake sales rose just 1.8% in the third quarter, below some expectations, as Tasty Baking Co. began moving production from its set-to-close North Philly plant down to its new Navy Yard bakery. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:22:31 GMT 2faca8116b1e1042c31d6e44b3fab9b9 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-11-02T14:22:31Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67311207&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FAce_Ltd_boss_slams_.html "There are some cowboys out there. There are guys writing this at what we think are pretty nuts terms, and so it's not completely a disciplined market. That's for sure." Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:31:43 GMT cae26b12358164a55160a75248c16f27 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-29T20:31:43Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67325152&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FDetroit_breast_mogul_backs_Phillys_new_topless_bar.html He calls them "gentlemen's clubs" so people will think "it's a cut above" the old-time "titty bars," says Alan Markovitz Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:19:42 GMT 2c883597086e748f95906b2d3095efcb Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-29T21:19:42Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67273452&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FHarleysville_Group_lucky_in_weather_stock_plays_report.html Market rally, clear weather boosted Harleysville Group Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:30:19 GMT 919d35ae05369429f8f718188a7f15dc Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-29T18:30:19Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67229612&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FBrandywine_hoards_cash_for_future_deals_report.html Brandywine keeps its dividend low. Is it hunting for bargains as the office market falls? Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:51:40 GMT 5f0b61535867570eaf59498d9a0c7026 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-29T15:51:40Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67018567&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FAmerican_Water_grabbing_small-town_utilities.html Dealmakers for American Water, Voorhees, keep buying small-town and antiquated water systems in small towns across Pennsylvania and other states Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:10:44 GMT ebae2c6bd7a06321e35c132c865bcd11 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-28T20:10:44Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67014297&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FPREIT_Mall_sales_still_weak.html PREIT says sales and occupancy are slow at its malls in suburban Philadelphia and other markets Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:55:21 GMT 0835de60c1a5e77ad96565bb4ec2e737 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-28T19:55:21Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=67007977&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FSafeguard_puts_5M_in_Bucks_drugmaker.html Safeguard Scientifics, Wayne, has invested $5 million in Quinnova Pharmaceuticals Inc., Newtown Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:23:06 GMT bc82aad72c2891c4bf6add7b5b79673d Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-28T19:23:06Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=66912532&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FWait_and_see_on_Vernon_Hills_Metro_Bank_analyst.html Don't expect big profits quickly from Metro Bancorp, the planned combination of Philadelphia's Republic First Bank and Harrisburg's former Commerce Bank of Pennsylvania, warns Sandler O'Neill managing director Joseph Fenech Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:51:47 GMT 5c63e291ac2686d778557b62b39ce8a5 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-28T14:51:47Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=66926962&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FAlteva_bets_pretzels_on_Phillies_vs_Stage_2s_Yankee_pretzels.html A couple of VoIP firms are betting on the World Series Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:42:42 GMT e981a8f410d08df2f23d9412c27c875f Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-28T15:42:42Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=66897592&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FGeithner_dogged_by_AIG_bailout.html Sounds like Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner may not escape responsibility for what happened on his watch as head of the New York Federal Reserve during the 2005-2008 credit bubble and collapse, after all. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:00:00 GMT f6bc2fcf659a74afb793f2e6b637754d Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-28T14:00:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=66549702&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FCarmaker_Fisker_thanks_Delaware_US_for_subsidies.html Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler have spent the last couple of days in Delaware thanking American politicians and taxpayers and local autoworkers for backing their upstart luxury-electric-hybrid car company, Fisker Automotive, which plans to take over an old GM plant in Wilmington Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:14:08 GMT 4aed24cb51dce55ed33d865127878ef9 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-27T20:14:08Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=66469307&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FHow_Goldman_KKR_wrecked_Capmark_report.html Horsham-based Capmark Inc. filed for bankruptcy Sunday, three years after it was spun off by General Motors' finance arm, because its rich Wall Street owners borrowed too much and lent too much to office, mall, hotel and apartment owners on the eve of the real estate collapse Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:32:11 GMT 59f89531f0e71edadd6678e31b5a0916 Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-27T17:32:11Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=309757&44=66379122&32=3796&7=378939&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Finq-phillydeals%2FMedian_home_prices_rose_in_September_Case-Shiller_shows.html Median home prices rose again last month. Is the 3.5-year plunge over? Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:24:48 GMT 1ea63394d6d22be96e91ae8857ee987b Joseph N. DiStefano 2009-10-27T13:24:48Z