What better way to show your geeky side than with a credit card emblazoned with Tux?

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October 29, 2010 Alexandria, Virginia – The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) today was appointed liquidating agent of The Union Credit Union (TUCU) of Spokane, Washington, by the Washington Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) after DFI closed TUCU.

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Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annual rate of 2 percent during the third quarter of 2010, according to the first estimate released Friday by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.

This compared to private sector expectations of 2.1 percent, BEA officials said.

Economic growth so far this year has averaged a moderate 2.8 percent.

“Today’s data show that the economy grew for the fifth consecutive quarter and the recovery continues with strong business investment, U.S. exports and consumer spending,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “Business spending on equipment and software has grown 17.8 percent over the past year, and foreign demand for U.S. products also remained strong, with U.S. exports increasing 12.2 percent over the past four quarters. Consumer spending is another encouraging sign in today’s data, representing the fifth consecutive increase in consumer spending, which has been accelerating over the past three quarters.

“Initiatives by President Obama and this administration, like the recently passed Small Business Jobs Act, along with improvement in the business investment climate and credit markets, support economic growth likely to continue into the fourth quarter and 2011. Our commitment to strengthening America’s economy is steadfast and our mission will not be complete until more Americans can find jobs that provide them with a sense of security and hope for the future,” Locke added.

Growth in business inventories accounted for about two-thirds of the growth although consumer spending also rose despite continued high unemployment.

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Sunday’s H&FF Radio program has advice for teaching kids about money on Halloween, converting your retirement plan to a Roth IRA, and determining if you can afford to retire early.

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Miami, FL, United States (AHN) – An American Airlines flight out of Miami experienced a sudden loss of cabin pressure as a result of a small hole in the fuselage. The incident at 31,000 feet prompted the oxygen masks to deploy and forced the plane to turn around.

The crew of Flight 1640, bound for Boston, declared an emergency 30 minutes after leaving Miami and brought the Boeing 757 down safely. The plane has since been taken out of service.

American Airlines said it has dispatched a team of engineers and maintenance technicians to inspect the aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board also is investigating.

American has also been in contact with Boeing, the manufacturer of the plane.

The flight had 154 passengers and six crew members aboard.

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Credit cards are used to create exchanges at stores, online, or many businesses . They can be steadfast if you want to have some more funds. They are also a great way of constructing your reputation. Of course, some dangers are to be had with charge plates. These can be described later.

Most businesses carry their logo on plastic moneys. These corporations include Master Card, American Express, and Visa. There are certain rules to go over when applying for a affinity card. You require to have a high credit rating, 18 years o

f age, and must be hired. People missing these attributes will not be able to obtain any charge plates.
There are protections to know when having plastic moneys as well. Do not try to have too many of these cards. Greed can stay after receiving your starting one. Occasionally, it is just too easy to become considered for a charge plate. One may require to try out some that offer even larger limits.

It is best to have a plastic card for exigency transactions. These exchanges will include automobile repair, bills, and apartment repairs. Never use a plastic money for commercial shopping. Again, you must end up being led into temptation. As always, compensate your affinity card bill on time. Make sure to compensate higher than just the minimum. Paying the minimum fee can increase your interest rates.
credit cards can be very handy and very risky. Take these protections in mind before applying for one. You do not want to risk lowering your status assessment. With a low status rating, you should not be able to purchase a car or house.

Gartner warns that anti-skimming standards and technologies aren’t keeping up with recent spate of attacks, which can quickly net individual gangs $500,000 a month.

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Nagoya, Japan (AHN) – Saying the world needs to work harder to save biodiversity and the Earth’s ecosystems, World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick on Thursday announced two programs to help in that effort.

Zoellick made the announcements at the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity meeting in Nagoya, Japan. He said the World Bank would increase support of conservation of the world’s natural resources because poverty cannot be overcome without biodiversity supported by complex ecosystems.

“Productivity of the land and seas is diminishing, and with them the ecosystem services that are crucial for people to get out of poverty. The buffering capacity of our environment is dwindling as climate change accelerates. Endangered species are fading away forever before our very eyes,” Zoellick said.

“I want the World Bank Group to show what can be done. We will increase financing of ecosystem and biodiversity services through our projects in a wide range of sectors — including infrastructure, agriculture, climate change, and policy lending operations.”

In addition, Zoellick announced that the World Bank had partnered with the Global Environment Facility and the International Union for Conservation of Nature to establish the Save Our Species (SOS) initiative. The United States has committed more than $10 million in financing and now the partnership is calling on businesses to help build the largest global species conservation fund in history by 2015.

Thousands of animals and plants around the globe face extinction with species disappearing at a rate 1,000 times the historical norm, the World Bank said in a statement. SOS grants will focus on saving specific threatened species and their habitats by coordinating different partners. The grants also give businesses a way to help meet their sustainable development goals while helping to save Earth’s natural environment.

“Species extinction is a global phenomenon that will take global understanding, global efforts and global resources to overcome,” Zoellick said. “Our new partners from the private sector are showing a leadership role in the effort to address this crisis and we hope their efforts will inspire other companies, foundations, individuals and governments to join us.”

“Threatened species are the canaries in the global coal mine. If we can make Earth habitable to them, our societies will also thrive,” said Monique Barbet, the CEO and chairperson of the Global Environment Facility. “So far, the private sector has been the missing link, but the SOS Fund is providing the right opportunity for business to act decisively on this agenda while attending to their corporate bottom line.”

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Yonkers, NY, United States (AHN) – According to a new Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll, about two thirds of Americans plan to spend more this holiday season. Still, projected sales figures are down from 42 percent in 2008.

“Consumers are optimistic, but they don’t necessarily believe that happy days are here again. Credit is tight, unemployment remains high, the value of their homes has dropped and many Americans are facing the prospect of higher taxes of all levels,” said Tod Marks, Consumer Reports’ senior editor and resident shopping expert.

He went on to say, “So while it’s a bit surprising that some plan to spend somewhat more than last year, the fact is they’re insisting on value, value, value.”

In a previous poll conducted by Consumer Reports at the end of 2009′s holiday shopping season, shoppers estimated they spent on average $81 -16 percent higher than what they had planned.

The latest poll also found that most of the people surveyed plan to use cash as often as possible and about four in ten will cut back on credit and debit card spending. Additionally, it revealed that nearly 13.6 million Americans are still paying last years’ leftover holiday debt.

In stark contrast to last year’s holiday season holiday, optimism continues to grow. Forty percent of adults expect their holiday season to be happier than last year.

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Choosing the right UK credit card for your financial circumstances is incredibly important. A significant step to take, anyone looking to sign up for a new UK credit card must take time, effort and care to weigh up their options and consider the different features and benefits UK credit cards have to offer.

Starting at the very top of the pile is the Virgin credit card UK customers should take very seriously. Coming with 14 months 0% balance transfers and 0% on purchases, UK credit card customers will be impressed with its 16.6% Typical APR. The Virgin card also comes with a host of extras including discounts on Virgin Holidays, Virgin Media and other products, making it one of the most attractive UK credit cards available.

Similarly attractive among UK credit cards is the Barclaycard Platinum which boasts 0% balance transfers for 16 months (with a 2.9% fee), 0% on purchases and a Typical APR of 16.9%. It also comes with a new rewards programme called Barclaycard Freedom, which will be of great benefit to any UK credit card customer.

The Halifax All In One offers 10 months 0% balance transfers (with a 3.00% admin fee) and purchases, which is bolstered by an extremely competitive Typical APR of 15.9%. The APR alone make this a formidable contender among the UK credit cards and it should be given due consideration by all UK credit card users.

Customers will get an instant decision on the MBNA Platinum and, should they be accepted, will then enjoy 13 months 0% on balance transfers (with a 2.90% admin fee), 3 months 0% on purchases and will benefit from a 16.9% Typical APR.

Security is everything these days. The Halifax Plus card is one of the few UK credit cards to come with online fraud protection as standard. Complementing this with 13 months 0% on balance transfers (with a 3.00% admin fee), 3 months 0% on purchases and 16.9% Typical APR the Halifax Plus Card should be on every UK credit card customer’s radar.

If you are looking for a UK credit card which will significantly strengthen your credit rating, then the Capital One Classic is the best performing out of all the UK credit cards. The card provides £1,500 spending power at a Typical APR of 34.9%.

Far from exhaustive, this list will nevertheless give you a good range of the top UK credit cards to consider. Do some research, consider your options and choose the credit card which best fits your particular requirements.