Credit Unions Outperform

Credit union savings out perform conventional banks as reported in an article by the Birmingham Business Journal. I have had the pleasure to represent some credit unions this year and notice that the operations of the institution is very customer oriented. Kudos to the Credit Union industry.

Five Colleges in Alabama Make the List

US News and World Report identified five of Alabama's colleges or universities as the best in 2009. The presence of such quality education provides a superior base for businesses to attract future employees.

Jefferson County Ditty

{singing}
One of these men is not like the other
One of these men just don't belong
One of these men is not like the other
He must have a friend with a JeffCo loan

The Birmingham News reported yesterday that the Jefferson County Mayor's Association will be discussing a bankruptcy option for Jefferson County's sewer debt problems during a meeting today. The article was accompanied by pictures of the mayors and their position on the issue. All agreed that bankruptcy is the best option with exception of two; one undecided, and the other against. Who was against bankruptcy? Your's truly Larry. Who was on the Jefferson County Commission during the bond deals? Your's truly Larry. Who is suspected to be unethically connected to some of the bond brokers? Yep, you guessed it.

So as I read the article, I just couldn't help hearing the tune:

One of these men is not like the other
One of these men just don't belong
One of these men is not like the other
He must have a friend with a JeffCo loan

He, being Larry, is absolutely entitled to his opinion, and I respect a person who has his or her convictions, but the coincedences are suspicious. I guess that's my opinion.

Leeds = Hot

The Birmingham News reports that a new Hampton branded hotel will join Bass Pro Shops in Leeds, Alabama. According to the article, the hotel will be a new boutique design with a 60-seat meeting room as an amenity to the 106 planned hotel rooms. I think we will continue to see development like this in the Leeds market for a good while.

Airlines and Hotels

PKF Hospitality Research reports a correlation between airline seats and lodging demand. The article explains a ratio of 1:0.39 in percentage change. Therefore, a one-percent reduction in available airline seats should reflect a 0.39% reduction in hotel demand.

Source: PKF Hospitality Research

Shift Toward Town

I recently noticed an article in the Birmingham News of a restaurant, Bonedaddy's, moving a number of miles closer in. Does this support a speculative trend of populations moving toward town as gas prices rise?

Bonedaddy's is a upscale barbecue joint that caters to a higher income crowd. Along with the move they will change their name to Sweet Bones Alabama. Hmm...

Anyway, I felt like this restaurant's move might support a trend that I've been speculating for a while now.