LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Tri-County Air Conditioning & Heating and QwikSolar will team up to hold a free “Solar Party” to talk about the benefits of using solar energy, and to share information about Florida Power & Light’s solar rebate program.
The gathering, for both residential and commercial customers of FPL, is 7-9 p.m. Friday at the Lakewood Ranch Holiday Inn; RSVPs are requested, although not required, by calling 404-4664. A second party will also be held 9-11 a.m. Saturday at the Charlotte Cultural Center in Port Charlotte.
Free foreclosure workshop coming June 23
BRADENTON -- Foreclosure defense attorney David Candler Hicks will conduct a free foreclosure prevention workshop 7-9 p.m. next Thursday at Days Inn, 3506 1st St. W., Bradenton.
Sponsored by the Neighborhood Community Foundation, the workshop will cover the most common types of errors and violations found in loan documents and explain the laws that protect homeowners when facing foreclosure eviction. To register for the Save Your Home Foreclosure Prevention Workshop, visit www.Neighborhood-Community.org or call The Neighborhood Community Foundation at (877) 306-5299.
Wells Fargo rolls out fixed-rate student loans
NEW YORK -- Wells Fargo is hoping to make its student loans more attractive to families.
The San Francisco-based bank says it is now offering fixed-rate student loans, which is a departure from the industry practice. Unlike federal student loans, the private student loans issued by banks typically come with variable interest rates that are tied to a benchmark rate.
Wells Fargo says its fixed rates will range from 7.75 percent to 14.25 percent, depending on the credit background of the applicant or co-signer, who is often a parent.
Even on the low end, however, Wells Fargo’s fixed rates are higher than the 6.8 percent fixed rate on most federal student loans.
Federal loans also offer safeguards that do not come with private student loans.
Target raises dividend; shareholders talk politics
NEW YORK -- Target Corp. raised its quarterly dividend Wednesday by 5 cents to 30 cents as it sought to placate investors after a 22 percent decline in its stock price this year.
The 20 percent dividend increase came the same day the retailer’s executives faced shareholders at its annual meeting Wednesday, held at a store in Pittsburgh set to open next month.
Target’s shares have declined as the discounter now sees most of its shoppers skipping the home décor and clothing aisles and just sticking to food and other staples.
CEO Gregg Steinhafel reiterated during the meeting that lingering economic pressures have shoppers still focusing on “value.”
-- Herald staff, wires
