In yet another sign of dwindling confidence about the company’s performance, Standard and Poor’s (S&P) on Friday lowered the ratings of Regions Financial Corp. (RF) to “BBB-" from “BBB." Regions, a regional bank, has a high percentage of commercial mortgage exposure (24% as on Dec 31, 2009) in its loan portfolio. Commercial borrowers generally refinance and roll over the balances into new loans. But tightening credit standards mean that a dwindling number of borrowers would stand to qualify. This would result in increased defaults. S&P is concerned that Regions’ exposure to troubled loans will weigh on its 2010 profitability. Loan loss provision, which measures the potential future losses, increased to $1.2 billion in the fourth quarter from $1.0 billion in the third quarter. Nonperforming assets (including loans 90 days past due) increased to 5.59% up from 5.08% in the third quarter and 2.33% in the year-ago quarter....

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _________________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _________________________________________ Thursday March 04, 2010 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! ************************************************************** TaxMasters’ Patrick Cox Offers Insight and Outlook via Call with Investors - President Patrick Cox answers questions regarding customer satisfaction, BBB complaints, revenue trends and future acquisitions - HOUSTON, (CRWENEWSWIRE) — TaxMasters, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board:TAXS.OB), the IRS tax relief company, [...]

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _________________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _________________________________________ Wednesday March 03, 2010 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! ************************************************************** TaxMasters’ Patrick Cox Offers Insight and Outlook via Call with Investors - President Patrick Cox answers questions regarding customer satisfaction, BBB complaints, revenue trends and future acquisitions - HOUSTON, (CRWENEWSWIRE) — TaxMasters, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board:TAXS.OB), the IRS tax relief company, [...]

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _________________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _________________________________________ Tuesday March 02, 2010 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! ************************************************************** TaxMasters’ Patrick Cox Offers Insight and Outlook via Call with Investors - President Patrick Cox answers questions regarding customer satisfaction, BBB complaints, revenue trends and future acquisitions - HOUSTON, March 2 (CRWENEWSWIRE) — TaxMasters, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board:TAXS.OB), the IRS tax [...]

Willis North America Inc., a subsidiary of Willis Group Holdings Limited (WSH), today announced the final results of its cash tender offer to purchase any and all of its 5.125% senior notes due 2010.

The net proceeds from the offer came to $159,788,000. All of the 2010 notes that were tendered have been guaranteed for payment by Willis. The holders of the 2010 notes will be entitled to receive tender offer consideration of $1,027.50 per $1,000 principal amount of the 2010 notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

The notes, which are guaranteed by Willis Group Holdings, carry ratings of Baa3 by Moody's and BBB- by S&P.

Bank of America (BAC) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM) were the joint book running managers for the sale.

Willis intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to purchase any and all of Willis North America's outstanding 5.125% senior notes due 2010 that

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