plus 4, Rodman & Renshaw Announces RNA Therapeutics Panel Discussion to be ... - Stockhouse

Rodman & Renshaw Announces RNA Therapeutics Panel Discussion to be ... - Stockhouse
IMF Executive Board Completes Fourth Review Under PRGF Arrangement ... - International Monetary Fund
Flower Mound welcomes first emergency room - Star Community Newspapers
PB Gardens real estate gets boost - WPTV
SEI Selected By Evercore Trust Company and Evercore Wealth Management ... - Stockhouse

Rodman & Renshaw Announces RNA Therapeutics Panel Discussion to be ... - Stockhouse

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 08:54 AM PST

NEW YORK, Dec 01, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RODM) announced that on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009, from 4:30 pm ET to 5:30 pm ET, Rodman & Renshaw, LLC will be hosting a panel discussion on the current state of the field of RNA therapeutics, with senior executives from the leading public biotechnology companies in the space. The discussion will address a variety of issues, including the current climate for partnerships in RNA therapeutics, novel targets and exciting findings in the space, and how the companies are attempting to address the delivery issue.

Senior Biotechnology Analyst Dr. Simos Simeonidis will be moderating the panel which will include the following executives representing the leading public biotechnology companies in the field of RNA therapeutics (listed in alphabetical order):

-- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY): Stuart Pollard, Ph.D., Vice President, Scientific and Business Strategy

-- MDRNA (MRNA): J. Michael French, President and Chief Executive Officer

-- RXi Pharmaceuticals (RXII): Noah D. Beerman, President and Chief Executive Officer

-- Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation (TKM.TO): Mark J. Murray, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer

The panel discussion will include an audience question-and-answer period, followed by a reception with company management, and will be hosted in Rodman & Renshaw's new media room at its New York headquarters at 1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY. Investors can listen in by dialing (800) 289-0496 or (913) 312-0833 for international callers. The event will also be recorded and accessible via the web on Rodman TV at www.rodm.tv within 24 hours.

Please contact your Rodman & Renshaw sales representative for additional information.

About Rodman & Renshaw

Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RODM) is a holding company with a number of direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Rodman & Renshaw, LLC.

Rodman & Renshaw, LLC is a full-service investment bank dedicated to providing corporate finance, strategic advisory and related services to public and private companies across multiple sectors and regions. The company also provides research and sales and trading services to institutional investors. Rodman is the leader in the PIPE (private investment in public equity) and RD (registered direct offering) transaction markets. Rodman has been ranked the #1 Placement Agent in terms of the aggregate number of PIPE and RD financing transactions completed every year since 2005 and 2009 year-to-date as ranked by Sagient Research Systems. For more information visit Rodman & Renshaw on the Internet at www.rodm.com.

MEMBER FINRA, SIPC

Rodman & Renshaw Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and financial performance. In some cases, you can identify these statements by words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "except," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," or "continue," the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are based on numerous assumptions involving judgments with respect to future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the Company's control. There are or may be important factors that could cause our actual results to materially differ from our historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements.

These factors include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10 K, filed March 12, 2009, which is available at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon management's reasonable belief as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

SOURCE: Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group, Inc.

Rodman & Renshaw Investor Relations Grayling Mr. Christopher Chu, 1-646-284-9400 (ext. 426) Rodman@us.grayling.com

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IMF Executive Board Completes Fourth Review Under PRGF Arrangement ... - International Monetary Fund

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 08:47 AM PST

Press Release No. 09/434
December 1, 2009

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed on November 25, 2009 the fourth review of Grenada's economic performance under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement. The completion of the review allows for the immediate disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 3.9 million (about US$6.2 million), bringing total disbursements to SDR 14.7 million (about US$23.5 million).

The Executive Board also approved the request to modify a quantitative performance criterion by relaxing the target for end-November 2009 domestic arrears older than 60 days because of delays in external disbursements, a waiver on the performance criterion on the primary balance excluding grants at end-December 2008, and completion of the financing assurances review.

The three-year PRGF with Grenada was approved on April 17, 2006 (see Press Release No. 06/75), and in July 2008 was augmented to SDR 12.0 million (about US$19.2 million) to help mitigate the impact of food and fuel price shocks and extended by one year to April 16, 2010 (see Press Release No. 08/169). The arrangement was augmented again to SDR 16.4 million (about US$26.2 million) in June 2009 (see Press Release No. 09/200) to help mitigate the impact of the global downturn and financial turmoil.

Following the Executive Board discussion, Mr. Takatoshi Kato, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, made the following statement:

"The impact of the global crisis on Grenada's economy has been more pronounced than initially envisaged. Falling tourism receipts, foreign direct investment, and remittances have led to a marked decline in output, a rise in unemployment, and revenue shortfalls in 2009. The authorities have continued to implement steadfastly their PRGF-supported program, focusing macroeconomic policies on coping with the short-term impact of the external shocks, while laying the foundation for sustainable and broad-based economic growth. Implementation of the structural reform agenda and a cautious debt management policy will be essential.

"The government is pursuing medium-term fiscal consolidation to place public debt on a sustainable trajectory. Steps have been taken to prioritize capital spending, restrain wage growth, and increase the efficiency of spending on goods and services, while protecting social spending to mitigate the impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable groups. The government is committed to moving forward expeditiously with the drafting of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper.

"The banking sector has remained resilient, and important progress has been made in strengthening the capacity for nonbank financial supervision and regulation. The authorities have cooperated closely with regional governments to contain the fallout from the financial difficulties associated with the Trinidad and Tobago-based CL Financial Group.

"Grenada remains at high risk of debt distress. Any additional borrowing would need to be assessed carefully so as not to undermine progress toward debt sustainability. The authorities are committed to strengthening debt management capacity further and regularizing financial relations with external creditors. The authorities intend to keep their SDR allocation as a shared reserve cushion at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, as a buffer against risks stemming from financial stresses in the region.

"The authorities have made important progress on structural reforms. Preparations to introduce a value-added tax in early 2010, which is expected to enhance the coverage and buoyancy of the tax system, are firmly on track. To preserve external competitiveness, the government is pressing ahead with measures to improve the business and investment climate and implementing reforms to expand and diversify external receipts.

"The authorities have taken steps to ensure the accuracy of data provided to the Fund. These include a strengthening of procedures for reconciliation of monetary survey and ministry of finance data on credit to the central government," Mr. Kato said.

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Flower Mound welcomes first emergency room - Star Community Newspapers

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 08:47 AM PST

From 10 a.m. to noon Monday, members of the business community celebrated the opening of the Flower Mound 24 Hour Emergency Center.

Beginning at 1 p.m., the doors were open for anyone who needed emergency attention.

The center, located at 4351 Long Prairie Road, features 12 beds, including two pediatric-themed rooms, a trauma/code room, two negative pressure rooms and a laboratory with a blood bank.

Plus, Flower Mound Imaging, an out-patient imaging center, is located in the emergency center and features a radiology suite with PACS technology, including CT, X-Ray, ultrasound and fluoroscopy testing. Flower Mound Imaging also specializes in women's imaging services such as digital mammography, ultrasound and bone-density testing.

It is not only the first emergency facility in Flower Mound, but also is being called the first of its kind in Dallas/Fort Worth.

There are a lot of urgent care centers in Dallas/Fort Worth, but to my knowledge, this is the only one that's open 24/7, said Doug Welch, CEO of Medical Center of Lewisville.

Welch also said the center, which is associated with Medical Center of Lewisville, accepts patients with any type of health insurance, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, adding that a lot of emergency centers do not.

Also, unlike many emergency facilities, Flower Mounds new center is contracting with a private ambulance company and will have an ambulance on site that is shared with Medical Center of Lewisville. Welch said that's important to eliminate ambulance travel time in an emergency.

Let's say Bartonville needed to use an ambulance, Welch said. If it had to travel to Lewisville and then back to Bartonville, that's time that it's not in their community.

Officials also touted the experience level of the board-certified physicians and registered nurses at the facility.

We have a very seasoned group of nurses, said Ashley McClellan, vice president and chief operating officer for Medical Center of Lewisville. Many of them have advanced certification. That, and the number of years of experience our nursing staff has, is very valuable.

While the centers officials say its offerings set it apart from other urgent care facilities, the impact it will have in Flower Mound is an added bonus. Until now, residents who needed 24-hour emergency attention had to go to Lewisville or Grapevine.

Southern Denton County has grown fast, Welch said. There's an under supply of emergency rooms, so at times, there is overcrowding. But this gives the area 12 more emergency room treatment areas and faster access to a physician.

Many dignitaries from the area, including Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell and Flower Mound Town Council members Al Filidoro and Steve Dixon, were in attendance. Filidoro said the facility is a big step for the future of medical care in Flower Mound, noting the future opening of Flower Mound Presbyterian Hospital, as well as an incoming rehabilitation center.

This center represents a major milestone for our town, Filidoro said. Soon to be joined by the addition of a full-service hospital, it brings much needed medical services for the residents of our community. I hope to see more additions to our medical community in the coming year.

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PB Gardens real estate gets boost - WPTV

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 07:57 AM PST

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL -- On the heels of a sagging residential real estate market comes what many have called the "next leg" - commercial real estate.

The slowing economy has left store fronts in South Florida strip-malls empty.

Even along swanky strips like Palm Beach's Worth Avenue, empty storefronts prompted town officials to review local codes this month to address the look created by empty shops and windows.

But in Palm Beach Gardens, there's a glimmer of hope that real estate watchers hope may send a more positive signal.

According to real estate website GlobeSt.com, Merrill Lynch will become the signature tenant at Gardens Pointe, located at 3507 Kyoto Gardens Drive located near Downtown at the Gardens.

The financial services firm has reportedly signed a lease for more than one third of the four-story office building and will move into 12,222 square feet in the top floor this spring.

Just this week, Bill Pittenger, chief real estate economist for Seacoast National Bank in Stuart told our news partners at Scripps Treasure Coast newspapers, "Commercial real estate is now the weak link in the U.S. and local economies."

"We're sort of on the cusp of seeing more foreclosure action," added Nik Schroth, broker associate with NAI Southcoast in Stuart.

GlobeSt.com, reports two other smaller tenants have already moved into the same building as Merrill, with the private banking division of Key Bank taking 7,267 square feet and lawyer Jeffrey Begens occupying 1,200 square feet on the ground floor.

The building is now 60% occupied with the Merrill Lynch lease, according to NAI/Merin Hunter Codman, and Neil Merin, chairman of the West Palm Beach-based commercial real estate brokerage, says it looks like a good fit.

"The PGA Boulevard and Gardens Mall area is one of the biggest hubs in all of Palm Beach County," he said, "And the drive-by traffic is enormous."

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SEI Selected By Evercore Trust Company and Evercore Wealth Management ... - Stockhouse

Posted: 01 Dec 2009 08:54 AM PST

--Strategic Partnership Will Allow Evercore to Focus on Client Relationships

OAKS, Pa., Dec 01, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --

SEI (Nasdaq: SEIC) announced today that it has entered into a multi-year agreement with Evercore Trust Company, to provide outsourced back-office investment accounting and processing services. This agreement supports both Evercore Trust Company's and Evercore Wealth Management's strategic initiatives.

Evercore Wealth Management serves high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors by providing investment, trust, and financial planning services. On May 1, 2009, Evercore acquired the Bank of America Special Fiduciary Services Division and established the Evercore Trust Company to focus on investment management, independent fiduciary, and trustee services to independent benefit plans of large corporations.

Approaching its one-year anniversary, Evercore has accumulated approximately $21 billion in assets under management and administration.

"The opportunities afforded to us by partnering with SEI have allowed us to put tremendous focus on client-facing activities and fulfill our value proposition from 'day one,'" said Jeffrey S. Maurer, CEO of Evercore Wealth Management. "SEI has demonstrated great flexibility and a strong willingness to work with us as a strategic partner when we launched this business."

Having completed a successful implementation, SEI is providing Evercore its Wealth Processing Solution. Services include operational outsourcing and a comprehensive suite of browser-based applications, fully integrated with a powerful system to help firms manage clients across their lifecycles and manage money across market cycles.

"We're very gratified to begin on the ground floor with Evercore and the forward-thinking management team they have in place," said Al Chiaradonna, Senior Vice President for SEI's Private Banks segment. "Evercore management told us they selected SEI because of our ability to simplify the business complexity of their operating model so they could maximize efficiencies as they launched. We believe Evercore's model presents great opportunity, and look forward to helping them succeed."

About Evercore Wealth Management.

Evercore Wealth management L.L.C. is a newly formed Registered Investment Advisor subsidiary that will focus on individual and personal wealth management. Evercore Partners Inc. is a leading investment banking boutique and investment firm. Evercore's Advisory business counsels its clients on mergers, acquisition, divestitures, restructurings and other strategic transactions. Evercore's Investment Management business comprises private equity investing, institutional asset management and wealth management. Evercore serves a diverse set of clients around the world from its offices in New York, San Francisco, London, Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico. More information about Evercore can be found on the Company's website at www.evercore.com.

About SEI's Private Banks Segment

SEI's Private Banks business segment delivers investment management and wealth processing services through its Global Wealth Services solution to private banks and wealth management organizations. SEI enables wealth managers to meet the rapidly evolving business and investment needs of their clients by helping them grow and protect revenue, minimize cost and allocate capital effectively, enable risk management and help manage transformation. SEI's solutions are used by over 290 clients in 9 countries. For more information, visit http://www.seic.com/banks/.

About SEI

SEI (Nasdaq: SEIC) is a leading global provider of outsourced asset management, investment processing and investment operations solutions. The company's innovative solutions help corporations, financial institutions, financial advisors, and affluent families create and manage wealth. As of September 30, 2009, through its subsidiaries and partnerships in which the company has a significant interest, SEI administers $383 billion in mutual fund and pooled assets and manages $156 billion in assets. SEI serves clients, conducts or is registered to conduct business and/or operations, from numerous offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.seic.com.

SOURCE SEI

http://www.seic.com

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