Synygy Inc., the largest and most experienced provider of sales performance management (SPM) solutions, will present a free, interactive webinar entitled Tools and Techniques for Ensuring Alignment of Sales Strategy and Sales Compensation Plans on Wednesday, July 22 at 2 p.m. EDT.
Featuring Synygy Regional Vice President Jeff Evernham and other domain experts, the session will provide insights into the consequences that result when there is a misalignment between the sales compensation plans and the sales strategy, and will outline a course of action for addressing the problem.

During this webinar, the latest in Synygy’s Executive Education Series, attendees will learn:

what key symptoms indicate the presence of strategic misalignment
how to assess the impact of misaligned sales comp plans and strategy
techniques to implement to properly align plans and strategy
key components your software solution must have to ensure alignment
best practices for maintaining strategic alignment
To register for the free session, visit www.synygy.com/alignment09. Registrants are invited to download a complimentary copy of the Synygy publication Expert Insights for Ensuring Strategic Alignment.

To learn more about how Synygy helps companies improve the operation of their sales organizations, call (610) 494-3300, ext. 7900 or e-mail sales@synygy.com.

About Synygy

Synygy is the largest and most experienced provider of sales performance management (SPM) software and services. Synygy’s SPM solutions include: sales compensation (incentive compensation, rewards and recognition, and total compensation); sales communications (web portals, reports and dashboards, and analytics, alerts, and answers); sales goals (territories and channels, forecasting and pipeline analyses, and objectives and quotas); and sales processes (reviews, recruiting and training, data repository and data processes, and workflow processes). Based in Chester, Pennsylvania, with extensive operations in Europe and Asia, Synygy has achieved 18 continuous years of success. www.synygy.com

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) today announced that it has closed the sale of its consumer finance operations in Mexico, consisting of AIG Universal, S.A. de C.V., SOFOM E.N.R. and Markcenter Services, S. de R.L. de C.V, to Desarrollo de Negocios Integrados, S.A. de C.V. and Inversiones DNI, S.A. de C.V., companies related to Afirme Grupo Financiero and Consorcio Villacero.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“This sale continues the momentum of AIG’s restructuring efforts,” said Alain Karaoglan, Senior Vice President – Divestiture. “We are pleased with the progress that we are making with the disposition of our global consumer finance businesses.”

Launched in 2005, AIG Universal has a network of 50 branches serving approximately 50,000 clients in twelve states in the central and northern regions of Mexico, and offers its clients personal loans and third party insurance.

UBS Investment Bank acted as financial advisor to AIG on this transaction.

American International Group, Inc. (AIG), a world leader in insurance and financial services, is the leading international insurance organization with operations in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions. AIG companies serve commercial, institutional and individual customers through the most extensive worldwide property-casualty and life insurance networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading providers of retirement services, financial services and asset management around the world. AIG’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, as well as the stock exchanges in Ireland and Tokyo.

1st Enterprise Bank (the “Bank”) (OTCBB: FENB), a full-service commercial bank serving businesses and their owners throughout Southern California, today announced results for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. Approximately three years after the Bank was formed, 1st Enterprise reported that total assets reached $310 million and total deposits stood at $275 million at quarter end, both record levels. “The tremendous growth achieved by the Bank in its first three years is a result of the outstanding quality of service provided by the Bank’s employees, an exceptional customer base and its strong overall financial condition,” said John C. Black, CEO.

The Bank reported net income (unaudited) of $377,000 for the second quarter of 2009, compared to $111,000 in the prior quarter and a loss of ($17,000) in the second quarter of 2008. The Bank reported pre-tax income of $185,000 for the second quarter, which was an $85,000 increase from the first quarter of 2009. Core earnings (before loan loss provisions, stock option expense, gain on sale, special FDIC assessment and taxes) for the second quarter of 2009 were $564,000, an increase of $222,000 from the first quarter of 2009 and an increase of $239,000 from the second quarter of 2008.

Net interest income after provision for loan losses was $2.57 million for the quarter compared to $2.36 million in the first quarter of 2009 and $1.74 million in the second quarter of 2008. Provision for loan losses was $128,000 in the quarter compared to $32,000 in the prior quarter and $114,000 in the second quarter of 2008. Average earning assets grew by 13% over the prior quarter and 46% over the prior year. The Bank’s net interest margin was 4.05% for the quarter, compared to 4.10% for the same quarter of last year.

Non-interest income increased by $138,000 from the prior quarter, as a result of higher deposit fees and a gain on sale of securities. Growth in non-interest expense was mainly due to increased FDIC insurance expense resulting from deposit growth and an accrual of $140,000 for the special FDIC assessment levied on all banks.

Total assets at June 30, 2009 were $310 million, up 18% or $48 million compared to $262 million at March 31, 2009 and up $104 million or 51% compared to $205 million at June 30, 2008. Net loans increased 52% to $134 million at quarter end compared to $88 million the prior year. Total deposits rose 54% to $275 million at quarter end compared to $178 million the prior year and increased by $49 million over the prior quarter.

“The Bank has reported positive net income for the past two quarters as a result of continued strong organic growth and excellent asset quality,” said John C. Black, CEO. “Since the Bank’s inception, the loan portfolio has had no non-performing loans, past due loans or loan charge-offs. Further, our investment portfolio continues to consist of high quality securities, with no impairments of any nature.”

1st Enterprise Bank continued to be well capitalized by all regulatory standards. As of June 30, 2009 the bank had a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 11% and a total risk based capital ratio of greater than 16%. The Bank continues to maintain a very strong liquidity position with more than 50% of its assets in cash and investments. The bank’s investments mostly consist of securities issued or guaranteed by government agencies or government-sponsored agencies. The Bank continues to be funded solely from core deposits, including $107 million in non-interest bearing accounts representing approximately 40% of total deposits.

“We are extremely proud of these results and the progress we have made over the past twelve months,” said Mr. Black. “In addition to our highly successful Los Angeles regional office, our Orange County regional office has contributed significantly to our growth and operating performance over this period. We have been very successful in our recruiting efforts for talented bankers both in our Orange County and Los Angeles offices, and our Inland Empire regional office is on schedule to open in early August. We have a very experienced and capable staff in place for that regional office and we look forward to it contributing to our continued strong growth. During one of the most challenging banking environments in history, 1st Enterprise Bank has established itself as a premier provider of commercial banking services to businesses and their owners throughout Southern California.”

About 1st Enterprise Bank

1st Enterprise Bank is a full service commercial banking institution, whose highly experienced bankers personally serve Southern California entrepreneurial businesses, professional firms and nonprofit organizations, along with their owners and key managers. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in the Los Angeles financial district with an Orange County Regional Office in Irvine, 1st Enterprise Bank offers a full range of credit and depository services, with special emphasis on superior customer service, sophisticated cash management services and direct access to bank decision makers. Customers work directly with their Relationship Manager, who understands the unique challenges of their industry and serves as a sounding board and an active participant in their success. For more information on 1st Enterprise Bank, please visit www.1stenterprisebank.com.

Six teachers who have worked to improve financial education in their schools and communities were honored today with “Ripple Effect” awards.

“In these tough economic times, teaching young people the fundamentals of personal money management is more important than ever,” Secretary of Banking Steve Kaplan said while congratulating the winners. “Many of the educators being recognized today are also reaching beyond the classroom to include parents and others in their communities, truly embodying the ‘ripple effect’ this award is intended to recognize.”

The awards were presented at the conclusion of the Governor’s Institute on Financial Education at Elizabethtown College in Lancaster County. The weeklong program, offered by the Office of Financial Education, is designed to help teachers at all grade levels integrate financial concepts — such as budgeting, saving and identity theft — into their existing lesson plans. Approximately 100 teachers attend the Institute, which is now in its fifth year.

The 2009 Ripple Effect Award winners are:

Trish Dalecki, Laurel Valley Middle High School, New Florence, Westmoreland Co.
Luann Letterle, Dorseyville Middle School, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co.
Margaret Sowers, Cedar Crest High School, Lebanon, Lebanon Co.
Timothy Surkovich, Hollidaysburg Area School District, Hollidaysburg, Blair Co.
Judy Treichler, 12th and Marion Elementary School, Reading, Berks Co.
Carol Watson, Theodore Roosevelt Middle School, Williamsport, Lycoming Co.
For more information about the Department of Banking’s Office of Financial Education, visit www.moneysbestfriend.com.

Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS), announced today the top performing vendor rankings in its CRM Suites AXIS(TM) Report. Aberdeen’s AXIS(TM) is a report that provides a competitive intelligence perspective that allows organizations insight into the technology providers that helped leading companies achieve superior performance. The research showcases which vendors enabled client success based on the value delivered and the ability of the vendor to support and service its clientele. According to John Pearson, VP Competitive Intelligence Products for Aberdeen, “The 32-page vendor assessment is based on two key dimensions: first, Aberdeen aggregated top performance of companies in the target marketplace based on 1114 primary surveys conducted typically over the past eighteen months; and second, Aberdeen conducts a vendor readiness assessment which includes evaluation of responses to a standardized vendor questionnaire, analyst briefings, public records and customer interviews.”
The CRM Suites AXIS(TM) Report is authored by Ian Michiels, Research Director, Aberdeen. “In the continuing effort to meet current and future customer expectations, businesses are examining ways of unifying customer data collected at disparate locations of their organization, turning it into information and making it available to the organization at large,” says Michiels. He explains, “Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions enable companies to accomplish this by controlling customer-centric information assets and processes.” Michiels also states, “The goal of Aberdeen’s AXIS report on CRM Suites is to educate end user organizations on the different solution providers and help facilitate an understanding and selection of CRM solutions.”

According to Aberdeen’s findings after evaluating 26 CRM vendors, the solution providers offering the best combined Value Delivered and Market Readiness scores include: Oracle/Siebel, Salesforce.com, SugarCRM and Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Aberdeen Group’s President Andrew Boyd reports that AXIS(TM) was developed in response to requests from Aberdeen’s 2.5+ million business readers spanning 40 countries, including representation from 90% of the Fortune 1000. “Aberdeen’s mission is clear as we take yet another step to educate businesses to action by providing them with relevant and timely information to make more informed decisions, understand efficient and effective ways of accomplishing a task, and maximize their ability to gain competitive ground,” according to Boyd. “With AXIS(TM), Aberdeen provides a competitive intelligence perspective that allows organizations to understand their peers’ experience with various service and product providers, and to determine which are best positioned to help them achieve their goals.”

According to Lauren McCollem, Director of Marketing for Dimensional Insight, “The approach that Aberdeen has taken here is truly unique and exceptionally valuable to the marketplace.” With this new research in hand, technology solution providers will be able to refresh their product roadmaps to reflect market successes and business user demands, and educate their market on how solutions impact customers’ business results.

To obtain a copy of The CRM Suite AXIS(TM) Report visit: http://axis.aberdeen.com/index.php/Information-Technology/vendor-rankings-research-crm-suites-axis.html

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen provides fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having queried more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to Aberdeen(TM) for insights that drive decisions.

As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of putting content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen’s analytical and independent view of the “customer optimization” process of Harte-Hanks (Information – Opportunity – Insight – Engagement – Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit Aberdeen or call (617) 723-7890, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748.

Alpha Media Group (“AMG”), publisher of Maxim, announced today a recapitalization of its balance sheet, including a debt-to-equity conversion, which will significantly reduce the company’s debt and improve its capital structure. The recapitalization is a result of Alpha Media Group’s ongoing efforts to restructure and strengthen the company’s operations and improve future revenue growth and profitability.
Stephen Duggan, Alpha Media Group CEO, said, “We are extremely pleased to announce the recapitalization which will reduce our company’s legacy debt load—it is an important step that will further strengthen our position as a leading branded entertainment company and allow for greater financial flexibility to serve our valued advertising partners and our audience of 13 million.”

AMG is now delivering multi-platform entertainment programs that engage the Maxim audience in print, digital, radio, mobile, television and film, providing 360-degree communication opportunities for its advertisers. Earlier this year, the Company integrated its advertising, sales and marketing operations to better meet its clients’ needs. On the content side, the Company named Joe Levy, the highly regarded editor and media personality, Editor in Chief of Maxim. Levy has led the integration of the print and digital editorial operations.

In February, Moving Pictures, AMG, the production division of Alpha Media Group that specializes in branded entertainment, television and film enjoyed the big screen premiere of its first major motion picture, Fired Up. A second feature film is slated for release in 2010 and a third film, based on a Maxim article, MotherTrucker, is in active development with New Regency. Moving Pictures, AMG has produced numerous television programs & specials including the annual Maxim Hot 100, the All-Maxim Team content on the NFL network, and Maxim’s Best Stuff with G4 and has partnered with the leader in pop culture news programming, E! Entertainment, to create and produce six, hour-long television specials.

Maxim is the largest young men’s lifestyle magazine in America reaching more than 13 million readers each month. Maxim Digital encompasses Maxim.com, Blender.com and Stuffmagazine.com and reaches more than 3 million unique visitors each month. Maxim is published in 43 countries; Maxim Radio with Covino and Rich is broadcast on Sirius XM Satellite radio.

FreeSecuritySoft.Net, the company that provides open source security tools for digital life, is introducing their latest software, Free Security Soft: File Eraser, an advanced security tool, which allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your computer. It will be the second open source product, realizing the high-quality standard of data protection. The English language version of the software is available now at the developer’s website for free download.
Saving personal data continually becomes more important (but a bit more complicated), and maintaining privacy is not as simple as it may have seemed at first. When a file is deleted, the operating system does not completely remove the file from the disk; it can be easily retrieved by a disk maintenance or an undelete utility.
This problem was taken into consideration when Free Security Soft: File Eraser was designed, and because of this intuitive design, anyone can safely and easily erase private data from a disk. The patterns used for overwriting are based on Peter Gutmann’s paper “Secure Deletion of Data from Magnetic and Solid-State Memory”. They are selected to effectively remove the magnetic remnants from the hard disk, making it impossible to recover the data. Other methods include the one defined in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual of the US Department of Defense and overwriting with pseudorandom data.
Features:
Free Security Soft: File Eraser allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard disk by overwriting it several times with different patterns. You can drag and drop files and folders to the on-demand eraser, use the convenient Explorer shell extension, or use the integrated scheduler to program overwriting of unused disk space, browser cache files, etc.
About the Company
FreeSecuritySoft.Net is a software development company specializing in the design and development of technologically advanced open source security tools. FreeSecuritySoft.Net constantly strives to deliver the best results-oriented security software to home users and small businesses. Further details about the company and its product range can be found at www.freesecuritysoft.net