Sheila Bair, chairman of the FDIC, will address a sold-out dinner tonight at the Sarasota Hyatt.
The dinner is being sponsored by the Florida Bankers Association and about 520 bankers are expected to attend, said Tramm Hudson, a local banking consultant who will participate in the event.
Bair has been in the spotlight lately as banks throughout the state and nation struggle to stay afloat amid mounting loans and credit problems.
She is expected to talk about the current banking environment and her outlook for the future.
Growing distrust
CLEARWATER - Americans are increasingly distrustful of the businesses they deal with in everyday life, a new Better Business Bureau survey says.
Almost half of the 1,003 people surveyed in April said they had some, very little or no trust at all in companies they regularly do business with. That's worse than a similar telephone survey done last September, prompting plans for a national BBB forum aimed at regaining consumer trust.
"This trend should be a call to action for businesses, especially in an ailing economy," said Karen Nalven, president of the BBB's West Florida chapter. "Businesses need to realize the link between consumer trust and profitability. Building trust through honesty, responsiveness and integrity is critical for success."
The most-trusted industries in the most-recent survey were pharmacies and drug stores; grocery stores and supermarkets; and banks, financial institutions and stock brokers.
The least-trusted: Auto dealers, real estate brokers and health-care insurers.
The poll was conducted by the Gallup Organization, which randomly surveyed 1,003 adults nationwide between March 26 and April 20. The poll has a sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Grand opening
HOLMES BEACH - Tidemark Beach & Marina Residence Club will hold a grand opening Sept. 10 from 12:30 p.m. to sunset at 101 66th St., Holmes Beach.
The public is being invited to see the beach residences under development.
Valued at $85 million, the development will consist of 30 beach and marina residences, a 62-slip marina with boats and fishing guides and a 24-unit lodge.
Baby Boutiki expands
BRADENTON - Baby Boutiki, 3205 Manatee Ave. W., has doubled its space with the addition of Tiki Studio, which offers creative dance classes, yoga and music classes.
Classes begin Monday. During Sept. 2-5, guests can try the classes out for free. There will be an open house Saturday from 4-6 p.m. with food, gift giveaways and live music.
For more information, call (941) 748-3800 or visit Carrie@babyboutiki.com.
Gym signs new lease
PARRISH -Anytime Fitness has signed a lease for its new club in the Allris Plaza, 8320 N. U.S. 301, where it plans to operate a 24-hour fitness club.
The exercise facility will cover 4,971 square feet with construction set to start in September. The club is scheduled to open for business in late fall. For more information, call (941) 981-9029.
Wine boutique opening
LAKEWOOD RANCH - Wine- Styles, a wine boutique, is having its grand opening Monday through Saturday at 8225 Natures Way, Suite 111 in San Marco Plaza. There will be daily tastings every day from 6-9 p.m. with 10 percent off the purchase of any wine tasted that evening. There also will be a daily drawing for a free bottle of wine up to $25 and another drawing at the end of the week for a gift basket valued at $100.
For more information, call (941) 306-5804 or visit www.winestyles.net/lakewoodranch.
- Herald staff and wire reports
E-Mail
Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@