Countdown To Buy, an innovative online real estate marketplace that offers fair and effective solutions to buy and sell properties, has announced it has received a silver Connecticut Quality Improvement Award Innovation Prize for the company’s unique online real estate transaction model and marketplace. “We are honored that Countdown To Buy was recognized alongside some of the best companies in the state by the Connecticut Quality Improvement Award committee, not only for vision and innovation but execution as well,” said Jim Hodson, chief executive officer of CountdoRead more

With the morning mist still on the Hudson River, and the sun just kissing the cliff tops of the New Jersey Palisade, Aaron Burr, Vice President of the United States shot and killed former Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Political opponents for years, the duelists faced each other after Burr sent these words to Hamilton: “Political opposition can never absolve gentlemen from the necessity of a rigid adherence to the laws of honor.”Read more

Phoenix-based CCG Catalyst, a bank consulting firm providing strategic guidance for financial organizations, announced it offers a Delivery Channel Optimization Program to help financial institutions minimize overhead costs and maximize sales performance of each branch office. CCG Catalyst’s program ensures a comprehensive analysis of delivery channel and branching options, whether a financial institution is considering major capital improvements, consolidation, expansion or restructuring of its retail delivery network and channel capabilities.Read more

The Advertising Council, in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), has announced the launch of a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to encourage homeowners who are struggling with their monthly mortgage payments to learn about the Making Home Affordable Program.Read more

The mortgage industry is going through sweeping change. Now is the time for all mortgage industry participants to gather and discuss new ideas, new automation strategies and new processes to move the mortgage industry forward. PROGRESS in Lending Association fills this void and provides a place for innovation and thought leadership to occur.Read more

InHouse Inc., a provider of appraisal solutions for banks, lenders and other mortgage originators, announces that eTEC, a leading appraisal management company (AMC), has added a private-labeled version of InHouse’s Connexions technology to its product and service offerings. Connexions will be available through eTEC as “eTEC Powered by Connexions.” It is the first appraisal technology to combine analytics, data mining and workflow on one platform as well as the only appraisal management technology that allows users to manage any combination and number of appraisal vendRead more

MyCapitalAccess, a provider of finance products and operational knowledge to small businesses nationwide, has announced that former National Football League (NFL) player Arturo Freeman has joined the company’s financier network to assist small businesses. Through the partnership, MyCapitalAccess supplies Freeman with the training, marketing and sales tools needed to work with the small business community.Read more

Mortgage fulfillment outsource services provider Titan Lenders Corporation (TLC) has signed nine mortgage banker clients in the second quarter of 2010. TLC, a U.S.-based domestic mortgage fulfillment outsource operation, offers a parallel and variable cost-alternative solution to lenders that maintain back office and warehouse line management operations.Read more

In an age where the act of being “social” actually does happen in the comfort of your own home, office or car, the opportunity for business growth is increasingly more obtainable. Today, more than ever, the sales and marketing field has a real opportunity to take public relations to the next level, the individual level. The days of group categorization by way of one brand are long gone. In our current economy, we, as sales professionals, represent our company’s brand along side our own.Read more

During the 1996 Summer Olympics, I saw a young athlete with his brand new silver medal around his neck and a massive smile on his face. He was so thrilled with his achievement that he was mixing and mingling with everyone he met on the sidewalk. Perfect strangers were shaking his hand, slapping him on the back, and having their picture taken with him. I did not know who he was, but it was clear that he was relishing the highest point of his life to date.Read more