U.S. Bank fares well in environmental assessment

U.S. Bank ranks high in an annual assessment of how large firms implement environmentally friendly policies and programs. U.S. Bank ranks 57th in 2011 Green Rankings compiled for Newsweek magazine. U.S. Bank was among only three banks to make the top 100 in the list, which rated sustainable management policies and programs as well as […]

Labor trends index forecasts job growth

A monthly index tracking labor trends continues to rise, forecasting accelerating job growth. The Conference Board reported that its Employment Trends Index advanced more than a point to 103.7 in November. The index has gained 6.4 percent over the past year. Gad Levanon, an economist with the Conference Board, said increasing economic activity could lead […]

U.S. payrolls grow while jobless rate drops

Payrolls continue to grow in the United States even as the unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level since March 2009. According to Labor Department estimates, nonfarm payrolls rose 120,000 in November, while the jobless rate fell four-tenths to 8.6 percent. Based on the latest results of monthly employer surveys, the private sector added […]

Colorado Business Index advances

An index tracking business conditions in Colorado has rebounded to its highest level in six months, although more jobs still are needed to regain those lost during the recession. The Business Conditions Index rose nearly three points in November to 56.2. Gains in each of the last two months have pushed the index to its […]

Colorado ranks among most business-friendly states

Colorado continues to rank among the most business-friendly states in the latest results of an annual comparison of how taxes and government policies affect small businesses and entrepreneurs. Colorado ranks ninth overall in the 2011 Small Business Survival Index on the basis of comparatively low taxes. The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council — a small […]

Just in time for the holidays, more cheer than fear

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, a monthly measure of consumer confidence reflects more cheer than fear. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index surged more than 15 points to 56 in November on more optimistic assessments of current and future business and labor conditions. “Consumers appear to be entering the […]

American National Bank plans to shorten its name

A bank that operates locations in Grand Junction and other Western Colorado communities plans to soon change its name and some services, but not its ownership. Effective Dec. 30, American National Bank will become ANB Bank, said Donald Sturm, the chairman and chief executive officer of the bank. “We’re matching our new name with the […]