When cold calling chilled prospective clients, insurance agent Eric S. Klarman brought his business outside — to subway stations and on the streets of New York. Mr.

The House Financial Services Committee this morning unanimously approved legislation that would create a federal insurance office within the Treasury Department. The legislation is part of a broad financial services regulatory reform package that is scheduled to be voted on next week by the full House of Representatives.

The economic recovery gained traction in late fall as shoppers spent a bit more and factories bumped up production. That assessment Wednesday by the Federal Reserve marked its most upbeat view since the economy tumbled into recession two years ago.

Another great saga for real estate investors… As home-buyers continue to receive more and more requests from fellow investors hoping to develop an alliance, the realization is that there is a mass amount of capital sitting on the sidelines.

For years, James Barnash brushed aside conflicts at work, hoping the situation would get better. But instead, it made things worse. “I used to bury the conflict for a while, and then something very minor would set me off,” said Mr

December 2, 2009 Crude prices fall on US inventory levels by Elaine Frei Crude oil prices were lower Wednesday after the US Energy Information Administration reported in its weekly inventories report that crude oil and gasoline stockpiles grew in the US last week. The EIA said that crude oil inventories were up by 2.1 million barrels in the week ending 27 November, while gasoline stockpiles added 4 million barrels even though refineries have cut back operations but distillates in storage fell 1.2 million barrels. At about an hour before the close of floor trade, January contracts for West Texas Intermediate crude had dropped $1.52 to $76.86 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while January Brent crude was $1.76 lower to $77.61 per barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange in London.

Fidelity Investments on Tuesday announced that it is cutting its management fees on its Section 529 plans. The reduced rates will apply to Fidelity’s seven state-sponsored 529 plans. The mutual fund giant plans to lower its program management fees anywhere from one-third to one-half across all its direct- and adviser-sold plans.