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In the face of daunting market challenges for small business banking customers, banks have an opportunity to differentiate themselves - and could potentially increase revenue by 20 percent - by delivering a more satisfying experience, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Small Business Banking Satisfaction Study(SM). In particular, effective relationship management is critical in raising and maintaining high levels of satisfaction.

For the first time in more than a year, more Americans are feeling confident about their financial security. The COUNTRY Financial Security Index(r) jumped 3.6 points in October, marking the largest single shift in sentiment since the measure began in February 2007.

The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods declined 0.6 percent in September, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported. This decrease followed a 1.7-percent rise in August and a 0.9-percent decline in July. In September, at the earlier stages of processing, prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods moved up 0.2 percent and the crude goods index fell 2.1 percent. On an unadjusted basis, from September 2008 to September 2009, prices for finished goods fell 4.8 percent, the tenth consecutive month of year-over-year declines.

A new report from Allianz Global Investors AG, one of the world’s largest asset management companies, provides insight into the effects of the recent financial crisis on U.S. wealth and the transition process that the U.S. retirement landscape is undergoing. The study, "Retirement at Risk: Challenges for baby boomers approaching retirement," examines the retirement preparedness of baby boomers who have seen their assets deteriorate as they approach retirement. The study also highlights the impact that retiring baby boomers – the largest population segment in American history – will have on the financial services industry.

The weekly average rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for 30-year fixed mortgages increased two basis points last week to 4.97 percent, up from 4.95 percent the week prior, according to the Zillow Mortgage Rate Monitor, compiled by leading real estate Web site Zillow.com®. Rates for 15-year fixed mortgages rose one basis point to 4.38 percent from 4.37 percent, and 5-1 adjustable rate mortgages rose four basis points to 3.87 percent, up from 3.83 the week prior.

Trust in America's financial system continues to edge upward according to the latest quarterly findings in the Chicago Booth/Kellogg School Financial Trust Index. According to the report, the Financial Trust Index has increased slightly from 21 percent to 22 percent for the period from July to September 2009.

From March 2008 to March 2009, employment declined in 323 of the 334 largest U.S. counties according to preliminary data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Elkhart County, Ind., located about 100 miles east of Chicago, posted the largest percentage decline, with a loss of 23.4 percent over the year, compared with a national job decrease of 4.2 percent. Nearly 80 percent of the employment decline in Elkhart occurred in manufacturing, which lost 22,100 jobs over the year. Arlington County, Va.,experienced the largest over-the-year percentage increase in employment among the largest counties in the U.S., with a gain of 2.6 percent.

McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies, released its 2010 Construction Outlook, a mainstay of business planning for construction and manufacturing executives, which forecasts an increase in overall U.S. construction starts for next year. Due to improvement for housing from extremely low levels and broader expansion for public works, the level of construction starts in 2010 is expected to climb 11% to $466.2 billion, following the 25% decline predicted for 2009.

Median weekly earnings of the nation's 100.1 million full-time wage and salary workers were $738 in the third quarter of 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. This was 2.5 percent higher than a year earlier. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) fell by 1.6 percent over the same period.

As President Obama’s overall approval rating continues to slide, he cannot find much solace in Americans’ opinions on his handling of 12 different issues as he does not have a positive rating on any of these. The top one for President Obama is reducing the threat of terrorist attack with 41% giving his job on this a positive rating, down from 49% who said so in August. Two in five Americans also give the President positive marks on the environment (40%, down from 43% in August) and education (40% up from 37% in August).