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Shifting priorities, modest salary increases and even rising turnover are all indicators that banks are beginning to recover from the recent economic downturn, as reported in Crowe Horwath LLP's 2011 Comprehensive Financial Institution Compensation Survey. In 2011, the average salary increase for officers and non-officers was 2.4 percent.

The U.S. solar energy market continued its rapid growth during the second quarter of 2011, according to the latest release of GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)'s quarterly U.S. Solar Market Insight report.

With only 65 days left until Black Friday, dealnews.com, the premier year-round resource for the best deals on consumer electronics, gadgets, computers, apparel, and more, released its 2011 Black Friday Predictions report, which is intended to help consumers get the deal of a lifetime by shopping online this holiday season. High-end products such as tablets, HDTVs, laptops, eBook readers and select Apple products can be purchased for less than $250, while many more desirable items, such as Blu-ray players, tech accessories and apparel are expected to be priced up to 50 percent off.

When it comes to online marketing, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have their work cut out for them. Time- and money-strapped, SMB marketers often receive light budgets and minimal staff to help them promote their business and generate leads across a variety of formats ranging from social media to search marketing.

National Council on Aging (NCOA) and UnitedHealthcare reveal that a large percentage of baby boomers and seniors ages 65 and over do not understand Medicare and are unaware of important recent or impending changes to the program.

Hourly hiring managers foresee a steady increase in holiday, seasonal hires this year over the last three seasons, edging ever closer to pre-recessionary hiring levels – but not all the way back – according to a fourth-annual survey commissioned by Snagajob, hourly job experts.

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in August. Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia reported unemployment rate increases, 12 states recorded rate decreases, and 12 states had no rate change, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Thirty-seven states registered unemployment ratedecreases from a year earlier, 11 states and the District of Columbia had increases, and 2 states experienced no change. The national jobless rate was unchanged at 9.1 percent but was 0.5 percentage point lower than a year earlier.

Despite economic ups-and-downs, the majority of Americans will continue to spend, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker. The survey, conducted in the midst of news surrounding high unemployment rates, and unexpectedly robust retail sales, found that 21% of Americans plan to spend more, with 43% expecting to spend the same, in the next six months compared to the first half of 2011. This represents an increase of 6% and 4% respectively from 2010. Greater consumer spending will be lead by young professionals, with 41% intending to open their wallets wider for 2011 year-end purchases, an 18% increase from last year.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.8 percent before seasonal adjustment.

Real average hourly earnings for all employees fell 0.6 percent from July to August, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. This decrease stems from a 0.1 percent decrease in average hourly earnings and a 0.4 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).