Slide show: Shakeup among top bank brands
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/25_topusbankbrands2012*100.jpg?v=1'>There was a big shakeup at the top of the banking brand rankings released this past week, which included many of the largest banking companies operating in Arizona. Wells Fargo & Co. jumped ahead of Bank of America for the second spot on Brand Finance's Banking 500, a list of the best global banking brands in 2012, which was released Feb. 1. Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) is the No. 3 banking company in the Phoenix area in terms of local deposits, and employs more than 10,000 people in Maricopa County...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=qOFxMhJb1hQ:R9BXYz9g8Kg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=qOFxMhJb1hQ:R9BXYz9g8Kg:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=qOFxMhJb1hQ:R9BXYz9g8Kg:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=qOFxMhJb1hQ:R9BXYz9g8Kg:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=qOFxMhJb1hQ:R9BXYz9g8Kg:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=qOFxMhJb1hQ:R9BXYz9g8Kg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/qOFxMhJb1hQ" height="1" width="1"/>
Arizona gas prices hit January record, expected to move higher
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/01/10/gasolinepump*100.jpg?v=3'>Arizona had record-high January fuel prices, and that trend is continuing into February, according to the American Auto Association. The January average was $3.311 per gallon, an increase of 12 percent from the January 2011 average of $2.960. The state?s average for February 2011 was $3.148. So far this month, the average price is almost 9 percent higher: $3.415. In the past seven weeks, the national average fuel price has climbed 3.3 cents to $3.488 per gallon. In Arizona, the price has increased 2...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=RokQT1PjGUw:i41eHJbk-Uc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=RokQT1PjGUw:i41eHJbk-Uc:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=RokQT1PjGUw:i41eHJbk-Uc:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=RokQT1PjGUw:i41eHJbk-Uc:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=RokQT1PjGUw:i41eHJbk-Uc:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=RokQT1PjGUw:i41eHJbk-Uc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/RokQT1PjGUw" height="1" width="1"/>
LVM Systems expanding in Mesa
LVM Systems Inc., a provider of call center software for the health care industry, is nearly doubling its space. Construction started last week on a 7,000-square-foot structure just north of its existing 10,000-square-foot headquarters in Mesa. Construction costs are estimated at about $1 million, said company spokesman Lorenzo Sierra, adding the project will be financed through a combination of cash on hand and a bank loan. The new building will accommodate up to 40 employees, he said. The company employs 61 people nationwide, including 51 at its headquarters...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=lgGk5MhbrhM:CsQqtyV3QvI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=lgGk5MhbrhM:CsQqtyV3QvI:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=lgGk5MhbrhM:CsQqtyV3QvI:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=lgGk5MhbrhM:CsQqtyV3QvI:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=lgGk5MhbrhM:CsQqtyV3QvI:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=lgGk5MhbrhM:CsQqtyV3QvI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/lgGk5MhbrhM" height="1" width="1"/>
National Laser Institute to hire 40 in Scottsdale, expand nationally
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/Louis_Silberman*100.jpg?v=1'>The National Laser Institute, a medical aesthetics training facility and spa in Scottsdale, is planning to hire 40 people locally and expand nationally. The school employs 100 people, and owner Louis Silberman said he?s looking to hire 40 new employees in a variety of positions during the next 12 months. Positions include 10 more instructors with experience in procedures like laser hair removal and Botox injections. The other 30 positions include marketing, admissions and spa support jobs. To accommodate its new staff the institute plans to add 5,000 square feet to its administration building in Scottsdale near Bell Road and the Loop 101...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=uIHEIC_T-N8:i1rmQJEEPqI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=uIHEIC_T-N8:i1rmQJEEPqI:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=uIHEIC_T-N8:i1rmQJEEPqI:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=uIHEIC_T-N8:i1rmQJEEPqI:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=uIHEIC_T-N8:i1rmQJEEPqI:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=uIHEIC_T-N8:i1rmQJEEPqI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/uIHEIC_T-N8" height="1" width="1"/>
The Marketing Coach: Lead generation, not sleaze generation
If you ever need a good laugh, just take a look at the marketing pitches of scheisters in the real estate, insurance and other lead-generation industries. One group, ?Mike and Carl,? explain that if you only follow their method of creating marketing videos, you will never have to network again. Thus, sayeth Mike and Carl, you?ll get to spend more time with your family. If only that were so. The reality is that most businesses need a combination of marketing, networking and lead generation to bring in the customers...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=zEAZ3EK-icM:MwRwOBFVI6I:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=zEAZ3EK-icM:MwRwOBFVI6I:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=zEAZ3EK-icM:MwRwOBFVI6I:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=zEAZ3EK-icM:MwRwOBFVI6I:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=zEAZ3EK-icM:MwRwOBFVI6I:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=zEAZ3EK-icM:MwRwOBFVI6I:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/zEAZ3EK-icM" height="1" width="1"/>
Flexible electronics, displays heading in consumer directions
Those interested in flexible display and electronics technology saw glimpses of the future this week at a national conference in Phoenix, and that future is trending more toward consumers. The Flexible Electronics and Displays Conference and Exhibition, developed by the FlexTech Alliance, came to Phoenix this week to show off the latest in digital screens that can bend and move. Malcolm Thompson, chief technologist at the FlexTech Alliance, said as the technology has evolved, so have the applications...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=ztMBO5BoSi0:ZjyGdxOkOBI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=ztMBO5BoSi0:ZjyGdxOkOBI:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=ztMBO5BoSi0:ZjyGdxOkOBI:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=ztMBO5BoSi0:ZjyGdxOkOBI:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=ztMBO5BoSi0:ZjyGdxOkOBI:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=ztMBO5BoSi0:ZjyGdxOkOBI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/ztMBO5BoSi0" height="1" width="1"/>
Gabby Giffords, Mark Kelly back former aide for U.S. House seat
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/morning_call/gabrielle-giffords_214x320*100.jpg?v=1'>Ron Barber, a former aide to Gabrielle Giffords during her tenure in Congress, is running for her Arizona congressional seat. Barber has backing from Giffords and her husband, former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly. Giffords resigned last month as she continues to recover from being shot through the head and brain during a shooting rampage in Tucson in January of last year. The special primary and general election are being held to finish Giffords? term. Barber is a former district director for Giffords...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=6ovqcddxaFM:XQghS2n_4zs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=6ovqcddxaFM:XQghS2n_4zs:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=6ovqcddxaFM:XQghS2n_4zs:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=6ovqcddxaFM:XQghS2n_4zs:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=6ovqcddxaFM:XQghS2n_4zs:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=6ovqcddxaFM:XQghS2n_4zs:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/6ovqcddxaFM" height="1" width="1"/>
Arizona reaps $1.6 billion from national mortgage settlement
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/print-edition/page20_Horne_Tom.jpg?v=1'>Arizona officials unveiled an agreement Thursday worth as much as $1.6 billion locally as part of the national mortgage settlement against five banks over mortgage abuse and fraud. Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne had vowed the state would not join the national settlement unless it could resolve its separate lawsuit against Bank of America Corp. The Arizona agreement, officially reached at 11 p.m. Wednesday night, will require Bank of America to pay $10 million to the Arizona Attorney General...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=xZyzz_IQj-8:1bk8P2Tehz8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=xZyzz_IQj-8:1bk8P2Tehz8:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=xZyzz_IQj-8:1bk8P2Tehz8:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=xZyzz_IQj-8:1bk8P2Tehz8:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=xZyzz_IQj-8:1bk8P2Tehz8:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=xZyzz_IQj-8:1bk8P2Tehz8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/xZyzz_IQj-8" height="1" width="1"/>
Archway Holdings buys medical office buildings for $14.5M
Archway Holdings Corp. of Beverly Hills, Calif. purchased three medical office buildings in the Phoenix metro area for a combined $14.5 million. In the first deal, Archway purchased the 101 Medical Office Center at 9250 W. Thomas Road for $8.6 million. The seller was the original developer, McShane Corp. of Chicago. Archway paid cash and renamed the 80,815-square-foot property Estrella Health Center. It was built in 2009. In the second deal, Archway purchased a note secured by two properties for $5...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=6768SNcrpGQ:4WRj1W0i7Cg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=6768SNcrpGQ:4WRj1W0i7Cg:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=6768SNcrpGQ:4WRj1W0i7Cg:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=6768SNcrpGQ:4WRj1W0i7Cg:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=6768SNcrpGQ:4WRj1W0i7Cg:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=6768SNcrpGQ:4WRj1W0i7Cg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/6768SNcrpGQ" height="1" width="1"/>
Tempe apartments sell for $45 million to Seattle company
<img src='http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/print-edition/San%20Portella%20Apt*100.jpg?v=1'>Pillar Communities in Seattle purchased the San Portella apartments in Tempe for $45.1 million, or $146,428 per unit. The complex located at 2155 S. 55th St. was built in 2008 by a joint venture involving Mark-Taylor Inc. of Scottsdale and Principal Real Estate Investors of Des Moines, Iowa. The legal selling entity was Apartments at Fountainhead LLC. The legal purchasing entity was PrivatePortfolio Group LLC. Tyler Anderson, Sean Cunningham and Asher Gunter of CBRE in Phoenix represented the seller...<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=LJJE4wqp00M:xmF7kmxSrnw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=LJJE4wqp00M:xmF7kmxSrnw:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=LJJE4wqp00M:xmF7kmxSrnw:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=LJJE4wqp00M:xmF7kmxSrnw:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?i=LJJE4wqp00M:xmF7kmxSrnw:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?a=LJJE4wqp00M:xmF7kmxSrnw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/bizj_phoenix?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bizj_phoenix/~4/LJJE4wqp00M" height="1" width="1"/>


The price of a whistleblower
As German authorities contemplate paying for data stolen from a Swiss bank, the industry is rethinking its security strategies
Business diary: Sophia Harris
Founder of the Solomon Harris law firm in the Cayman Islands says it was fortunate that it could not afford a big, flash opening
The public image: Bank of Scotland
A homely campaign seeks to re-establish the troubled lender's appeal
The woman helping to build the new China
The head of Soho China, one of the country's biggest property groups, insists that changes in government policy are the most important factor in determining the business's strategy
The careerist: Attracting headhunters
'If you associate yourself with the best it rubs off'
The job: Embalmer
'In two weeks you know whether or not you can do it'
Ports think outside the container
Owners and operators of shipping terminals are responding to environmental concerns. AP Moller Maersk's facility in Maasvlakte has cut its carbon emissions by 45% a year
Billionaire battle of the seas
As the America's Cup kicks off, Sir Keith Mills, founder of Airmiles and the Nectar card, tries to mediate between the warring teams fighting over one of sport's biggest businesses
20 questions: Jon Moulton
An insight into the maverick of the private equity industry
The call of the Russian investor
In a country where natural resources are the biggest lure and Silicon Valley-style venture capitalists are rare, a few investors are funding opportunities in the technology sector
Ambassador of cheese
Glyn Woolley has taken an imaginative approach to building his company, a leading exporter of British artisinal cheeses that is credited with helping to change perceptions of the country's produce
A matter of interpretation
For companies that do business in international markets, employing the right translator can be the difference between winning or losing a big contract
An inside job?
Research shows that someone from outside the group must be twice as strong to get the job, and yet Morrison's and ITV have both brought in outsiders
When the train takes the strain
Airport security and the environment are two reasons to go by rail
Business diary: Neil Jones
Interead founder says 2010 is year of the e-reader
The public image: Alfa Romeo
Textbook example of how to maintain aspirational brand values when making deep price cuts
Real people value
Jim Goodnight, head of SAS, the world's biggest privately held software group, ignores hierarchy and talks to as many employees as he can
The careerist: Socialising with colleagues
'Don't try too hard to impress and don't get too drunk'
The job: Fraud accountant
'A reputation for indiscretion can haunt you'
20 questions: Michael Morley
Coutts chief says wealth managers improve with age