BradentonHerald.com: Business

Growing number of car owners seeking refinancing

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:59 EST

MANATEE - A growing number of cash-starved motorists across Florida are refinancing their auto loan to trim the monthly bill.

Lenders say mortgage refinance deal will bolster Manatee market

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:19 EST

MANATEE -- A new refinance program to help underwater homeowners will uplift the local economy by putting extra cash into the pockets of those who will spend it, area lenders predict.

Spring baseball brings economic boon to Manatee County

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:35 EST

MANATEE -- The smell of fresh cut grass, stadium hot dogs and draft beer is in the air.

Mortgage deal brings relief, critics

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:21 EST

TALLAHASSEE -- A landmark mortgage settlement over the mishandling of millions of foreclosures nationwide could bring in billions of dollars in new housing aid for Florida homeowners, but critics of the long-awaited deal say the money isn’t nearly enough to help the millions of homeowners in hard-hit markets like South Florida.

Florida’s existing home, condo sales up

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:17 EST

Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales continued an upward trend in the fourth quarter of 2011, posting gains compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from Florida Realtors.

Global Technologies to hire 220-250 employees

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:59 EST

TAMPA – Global Technologies, a national construction and engineering contractor for telecommunications and utility operators, today announced it will hire between 220 and 250 fulltime employees in Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami this year. The jobs, covering a variety of telecommunications construction, engineering, technical, management and support positions.

Pierce is building vehicles that save lives

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:39 EST

For a critically injured patient, the difference between a poor and well-made first-response vehicle can mean life or death.

That’s where Pierce Manufacturing comes into play.

The Oshkosh Corp. subsidiary has been building custom fire trucks in Florida for nearly a decade. Nestled in Bradenton’s Samoset neighborhood, the Wisconsin-grown company now is rolling ambulances off its line too.

More US states to join foreclosure-abuse deal

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:49 EST

Arizona, Michigan and Florida, three of the states hit hardest by the housing crisis, will join a nationwide settlement over foreclosure abuses, officials with direct knowledge say. They will join more than 40 other states in approving a deal that would benefit many Americans who lost their homes or can't afford their mortgages.

States, banks reach foreclosure-abuse settlement

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:36 EST

U.S. states have reached a $25 billion deal with the nation's biggest mortgage lenders over foreclosure abuses that occurred after the housing bubble burst.

Bank of America stalls refi work, others open

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:30 EST

NEW YORK -- Bank of America, struggling to handle mortgage refinancing after a U.S. program boosted demand, is telling some customers to wait 90 days before starting an application, said two people with knowledge of the policy.

Sprint posts net loss but revenue gain on iPhone

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:30 EST

Nabbing the iPhone was a victory for Sprint Nextel, but the blockbuster handset has yet to pay off in profits for the company.

Caffeine fix as easy as taking a breath

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:30 EST

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Move over, coffee and Red Bull. A Harvard professor thinks the next big thing will be people inhaling their caffeine from a lipstick-sized tube. Critics say the novel product is not without its risks.

TIA to test lower-hassle pre-screening

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:30 EST

LOS ANGELES -- A program that lets preapproved air travelers zip through faster security lines will be expanded this year to 35 of the nation’s largest airports including Tampa International Airport, Transportation Security Administration officials announced Wednesday.

World stocks slip as Greek bailout hangs in limbo

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:11 EST

World stock markets dropped Friday after Europe's finance ministers demanded more spending cuts from Greece before clearing a euro130 billion ($170 billion) bailout to stave off the country's bankruptcy.

Business briefs: Sarasota sciences company expands

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:30 EST

SARASOTA -- Enzymedica Inc., a life sciences company and provider of therapeutic enzyme supplements, is moving into renovated, larger facilities in Venice.

Construction spending on the rebound in south Florida

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:38 EST

MIAMI -- Construction has tip-toed into South Florida’s economic rebound.

Life science company moving into larger Venice facility

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:04 EST

SARASOTA - Enzymedica Inc., a life sciences company and a provider of therapeutic enzyme supplements, is moving into a renovated new, larger location in Venice.

Ellenton firm offers a bird’s eye view

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:29 EST

ELLENTON -- The lifeline for any bird of prey is its sight.

02/08 - Faces in business: Robert F. Seybold Jr.

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:15 EST

Title: Owner

Citizens boosted home values to raise premiums, suit says

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:15 EST

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida homeowners filed a class-action lawsuit against Citizens Property Insurance Corp. on Tuesday, claiming the state-run insurer is systematically overvaluing properties in order to raise premiums.