Abstract
This paper argues that blaming bankers for the current global recession is to miss broader and far more significant factors that led to this crisis. In response to this accusation, the paper notes how governments also contributed to the economic downturn. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act is describes at length as helping to support government regulation and protection against illegal corporate practices, such as those committed by Enron, Tyco and many others. Additionally, the paper addresses how the global financial system is increasingly capable of being manipulated not by bankers, but by entire governments to alleviate any costly fluctuations in their currency, as seen with China and the US. Finally the paper considers credit-default swaps as an example of ethical lapses that can quickly translate into billions of dollars of losses as a result. The paper concludes by stating that compliance legislation needs to enforce laws through audits and not just through laws if the banking community globally is to become more ethical over time

From the Paper
"These two factors of a global financial system increasingly capable of being manipulated not by bankers, but by entire governments to alleviate any costly fluctuations in their currency, as China and the US both did extensively during this time, and the deflation of interest rates drove down the cost of capital to levels never seen before. As a result, with many of the world's western nations flush with cash and interest rates at exceptionally low levels as a result, housing re-financing became the new Automated Teller Machines (ATM) for millions of homeowners globally. In addition, low interest rates made it possible for sub-prime lenders to create highly profitable business models that extended homeowner's mortgages with interest rate escalations that would initially have very low interest rate-based payments a typical working class family could afford, only to settle at three or four times the original amount in the majority of cases (Gerrish, 2002). This forced nearly all of these middle class families with sub-prime mortgages to default and eventually see their homes foreclosed upon."

Tags:Sarbanes-Oxley Act, SEC, Gross Domestic Product, credit-default swap trades

Abstract
This paper is a case brief of the "Libyan Arab Foreign Bank v. Bankers Trust Company" case of 1988. There is further discussion of current events of international corporations doing business in the U.S. and their submission to U.S. law. The example of the oil industry and several recent consolidations is used. The paper has a final paragraph discussing the role of e-commerce and the legal precedents of the Libyan Bank case.

From the Paper
"This paper is a case brief of the Libyan Arab Foreign Bank v. Bankers Trust Company case of 1988. There is further discussion of current events of international corporations doing business in the U.S. and their submission to U.S. Law. The example of the oil industry and several recent consolidations is used. The paper has a final paragraph discussing the role of ecommerce and the legal precedents of the Libyan Bank case. Libyan Arab Foreign Bank v. Bankers Trust Company 1. Case Name - Libyan Arab Foreign Bank v. Bankers Trust Company (1989) Q.B. 728 (Ray, 2006, pp 349-350)."

Tags:foriegn investment, colnflict of laws, case brief

Abstract
This paper discusses a real estate industry business plan that extends Coldwell Banker's traditional real estate office onto a web-based platform. The paper describes the company and shows how it can duplicate its business structure and, essentially, double its volume without the equivalent increase in resources required. The paper also discusses the company's goals and current market trends. It then looks at how the company should implement its goals and its business strategy.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Objectives
Mission
Company Summary
Company Goals
Company Ownership
Startup
Services
Competitive Comparison
Market Analysis and Overview
Market Segmentation
Market Trends
Strategy and Implementation
Marketing Strategy
Pricing Strategy
Promotion Strategy
Distribution Strategy
Product/Service Presentation
Management Summary
Financial Plan
Important Assumptions
Key Financial Indicators
Break-even Analysis

From the Paper
"The Company's initial marketing investment will be $5,000 for its promotional initiatives. Additionally, Coldwell has allocated an additional $1,440 for insurance during its initial year of operation for the new internet business while legal consultation and corporation set-up is expected to be $1,000. For taxation and accounting purposes, Coldwell expects to adhere to an Accelerated Cost Recovery Method in order to benefit from its equipment depreciation while still maintaining effective use of the equipment over the long-term. Coldwell RealTime expects to acquire a small business loan through a banking institution for $24,000 at a 10% interest rate and the company expects to pay $750 monthly on the loan until it is paid in full over the first three years of operations. There is an additional short-term loan to cover operating costs and that loan cost is 8%."

Tags:market, segmentation, product, Internet, realtor

Abstract
The paper offers a summary of the "Libyan Arab Foreign Bank v. Bankers Trust Company" case of 1988. The paper then looks at current events of international corporations doing business in the U.S. and their submission to U.S. law. The paper also discusses the role of e-commerce and the legal precedents of the Libyan Bank case.

From the Paper
"The oil industry is continuing to become largely an international venture, with consolidations of domestic United States operations creating attractive assets for foreign purchase. The recent attempt by the Chinese national oil company to purchase UNOCAL corporation and the Dubai World ports purchase of the company the operated many U.S. ports brought to light a half century old congressional act protecting vital domestic infrastructure. The Defense Production Act of 1950 empowered the President to block the purchase of U.S. companies by foreign corporations if national security is threatened (James & Wall, 2007, n.p.)."

Tags:sanctions, terrorism, foreign, investment

From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to review the effects on business of civil actions instituted under the provisions of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. RICO was enacted in 1970 as a part of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 (Milich 387). The express purpose of RICO, as clearly stated in the legislation is ?to seek the eradication of organized crime in the United States by strengthening the legal tools in the evidence-gathering process, by establishing new penal prohibitions, and by providing enhanced sanctions and new remedies to deal with the unlawful activities of those engaged in organized..."

Tags:CRIMINAL, JUSTICE

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses a real estate industry business plan that extends the traditional real estate office onto a web-based platform. The writer discusses that by creating what is essentially an alternate business model based on the web, Coldwell Banker RealTime Realty can duplicate its business structure and, essentially, double its volume without the equivalent increase in resources required.

Tags:coldwell, banker, realty

Abstract
This paper includes two interviews written up as though by a news reporter. The interviews are of a construction worker and an unemployed investment banker who comment on the economy and why they do not like President Obama's bailout package.

From the Paper
"John Ivins is a ...-year-old construction worker. The economic crisis has taken a heavy toll on his finances in the past few months. Construction is seasonal work anyway, he explains, so I'm used to not working in the winter, but I've always had lots of work in spring, summer and fall until now. Ivins notes that his income is approximately ... lower than usual for this time of year. He does receive unemployment and his wife has a low-paying job as a waitress but..."

Tags:economic crisis, economy, interviews, news reporter, reporting, President Obama

Abstract
In this paper, the writer discusses that the book, 'Banker to the Poor: Micro-lending and the Battle Against World Poverty' by Muhammad Yunus shows the world a way in which one man can effect change on a global scale. The writer first reviews and summarizes the book in its entirety on its merits, and then, subsequently, reviews the major themes discussed. Ultimately, the writer reviews the further implications of the work in a wider context. The writer maintains that one can only succeed in achieving a poverty-free world if all members of society agree to compromises and to the hard work of bringing people together despite differences. The writer concludes that it is important to consider that Yunus was an influential and powerful man, but was also just a man who effected great and positive change.

From the Paper
"While Yunus fought for Grameen to be solely owned by the people, the only way that the Finance Ministry would accept its existence was as a governmental bank. Indeed, this presented a problem for Yunus. The culture of the Grameen was that it was a grassroots system of finance; a system which was owned by the people, and required both their responsibility and enthusiasm for the problem. While Yunus struggled early, he ultimately was able to change the ownership structure so that at least 75% of the bank was owned by the people, with only 25% in government hands. This was to be one of many concessions and compromises that Yunus would have to make in order to remain successful in his micro-finance scheme.
"While Grameen encountered numerous trials and obstacles before becoming officially successful, simply the notion that it was a success indicates that the strategy could be applied elsewhere. "

Tags:Bangladesh, redevelopment, famine, payments

Abstract
This paper discusses the doctrine of subrogation and relates that it is squarely grounded on the law of restitution and thus the reversal of unjust enrichment. The paper specifically looks at how subrogation, while implicit in surety relationships, is a matter of controversy in the context of bankers' autonomous undertakings such as the letter of credit and bank guarantees. The paper concludes that it seems that the question of the availability of subrogation in the case of bankers' autonomous undertakings turns on the extent to which it would introduce uncertainty into this area of law. Since this area of law is also controversial and often unclear, subrogation in these cases should be avoided.

From the Paper
"If subrogation is essentially a remedy, then the doctrine of autonomy, which ousts the co-extensiveness of customer and issuer obligations, cannot of itself oust subrogation. The independence [autonomy] principle basically determines that the beneficiary will have the money in its pocket if there is a dispute between it and the customer over the underlying transaction. This distinguishes a letter of credit from an ordinary guarantee: a guarantee is not independent in this sense, and guarantors may generally assert defenses available to the party whose obligation is guaranteed. The independence principle undoubtedly requires the issuer to pay first, without even looking through to the underlying transaction. Subrogation should therefore be unavailable before the issuer has paid the beneficiary; it may be considered unnecessary. Once the issuer has done so, however, the purpose of the independence principle has been served: the beneficiary has the money."

Tags:equity, insurance

Abstract
The paper defines mergers and acquisitions and relates that the most significant business transaction of the year 2005 was the merging of Procter & Gamble with Gillette. The paper identifies the rationale and objectives behind the merger with Gillette. The paper looks at the key players and the role of investment bankers in the transaction. The paper notes the success of this merger and reveals that it made Procter & Gamble the largest consumer products provider in the world.

Outline:
Executive Summary
The Rationale of the Merger
The Key Players
The Role of Investment Bankers in the Transaction
Success of the Procter&Gamble - Gillette M&A

From the Paper
"The actual meaning of the terms merger and acquisition have long been disputed and analyzed and generally all definitions are basically the same, but otherwise said. In this order of ideas, the definition given by Amos Web Dictionary is one that best captures the essence of most definitions. According to them, a merger represents the "consolidation of two separately-owned businesses under single ownership" and it can be done in three ways: horizontal, when the two companies have similar industrial positions (items produced, net revenues); vertical, when the companies produce the same products, but in different stages; and conglomerate, when the companies belong to different industrial sectors. The term acquisition refers to the act of actually buying another company in order to benefit of the advantages of the bought company and form a stronger firm."

Tags:investors, consumer, products, business, transaction