Baltimore Checkbook

Howard Bank taps three BB&T bankers to spearhead...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/149330162662/howard-bank-taps-three-bbt-bankers-to-spearhead#_=_

Fast-growing Howard Bank has brought on three more employees from BB&T Corp. to help ramp up its commercial banking efforts. The Ellicott City-based bank hired Rick Botti to lead its relationship management team. He will be joined by Bart Boland and John Wasowicz who will both be relationship managers. Boland and Wasowicz will be based in Howard Bank’s Parkville branch and work directly with Botti to grow the bank’s commercial strategy and develop new business opportunities. The three join…

Mexico's economy shrinks for 1st time in 3 years

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/149327915922/mexicos-economy-shrinks-for-1st-time-in-3-years#_=_

Mexico’s economy took a turn for the worse at a time when the entire country is closely watching the U.S. elections.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/mexicos-economy-shrinks-for-1st-time-in-3-years/41312400

U.S. mortgage rates tick down

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/149325899557/us-mortgage-rates-tick-down#_=_

U.S. mortgage rates rose fell slightly last week remaining in the historically low range, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 3.43 percent for the week ending Aug. 18, down from 3.45 percent the previous week. A year ago, mortgage rates stood at 3.93 percent. Favorable rates should continue to propel U.S. home sales. For eight consecutive weeks mortgage rates have ranged between 3.41 and 3.48 percent,“ said Sean Becketti, chief economist at Freddie Mac. "Inflation is…

St. John Properties bets big on spec, cites...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/149325899032/st-john-properties-bets-big-on-spec-cites#_=_

A bundle of 10 speculative buildings spanning four suburban counties and totaling 650,000 square feet are now under construction by St. John Properties. The projects will produce a total of 400,000 square feet of new Class A office in Anne Arundel, Howard, Carroll and Baltimore counties. In Anne Arundel, for example, four buildings comprised of more than 200,000 square feet are under development. The Anne Arundel projects include a 126,500-square-foot building at I-97 Business Park. The new construction…

Domestic spending is near 53-year lows

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/149325587617/domestic-spending-is-near-53-year-lows#_=_

Lawmakers and candidates often bemoan how high U.S. debt is and how much higher it will go if nothing changes.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/domestic-spending-is-near-53year-lows-yet-congress-keeps-cutting/41310088

Ryan Lochte dropped by Speedo | Baltimore Checkbook

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/149325587372/ryan-lochte-dropped-by-speedo#_=_

Speedo is the first Ryan Lochte sponsor to cut its ties with the disgraced U.S. swimmer.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/ryan-lochte-dropped-by-speedo/41312114

New executive chef of the Renaissance's Watertable...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/149324574602/new-executive-chef-of-the-renaissances-watertable#_=_

Sit down in the dining area of the Watertable restaurant at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel and the first thing you notice is the view of the Inner Harbor. It is that amenity that new Executive Chef Germain Haro is hoping to utilize as he looks to restructure the menu and make the best of the restaurant’s location. “We have a couple of items that are seafood based, but sitting in this restaurant and with this view, I feel like we should be more than that,” Haro said. Haro came on board…

University of Maryland receives $14.4 million for...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/149324575492/university-of-maryland-receives-144-million-for#_=_

The Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine received a $14.4 million grant for HIV research. The grant, awarded by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), will fund research aimed at tackling a significant scientific challenge in HIV vaccine research – the inability to produce long-lasting antibodies to protect against the infection. “Since our group co-discovered HIV as the cause of AIDS in the early 1980’s, I have long stated…

Volkswagen cuts Golf output in dispute with...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/149324416852/volkswagen-cuts-golf-output-in-dispute-with#_=_

Volkswagen is being forced to cut production of cars in Germany.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/volkswagen-cuts-golf-output-in-dispute-with-suppliers/41308320

Save 25 percent at Macy's Shop for a Cause event...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/149324152527/save-25-percent-at-macys-shop-for-a-cause-event#_=_

Shop, save and help babies during Macy’s 11th annual Shop for a Cause event running for three days this year, from Friday-Sunday, Aug. 26-28.

Donate $5 and get a pass to save 25 percent online or in stores on select regular, sale and clearance items, including home. Also save 10 percent off on…