The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 22

BUSINESS Rate report Here is a sampling of rates avai'aole at Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky banks, and savings and loans. Data were provided by each institution as of Thursday. Minimum deposits are $1,000, except where noted. der federal sentencing guidelines. No sentencing date as set.

The Associated Press Hard Rock theme park for sale after 6 months COLUMBLV S.C. Life in the fast lane apparently was too much for Hard Rock Park. Six months after opening, the only major U.S. theme park to open in the last decade is for sale. Spokesman Jim Olecki said Friday the $400 million Myrtle Beach park celebrating rock 'n' roll couldn't cope with less-than-ex-pected attendance and a faltering economy.

The park opened in April after seven years of planning, with roller coasters based on Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" and the Eagles' "Life in the Fast Lane." It filed for bankruptcy protection in September. Olecki said owners hope a buyer can be found by the end of the year and the park can reopen in 2009. However, Hi: A Rock Park won't open if it's not sold, Olecki said. The Associated Press supplied by companies large and small in various sectors across the region. Prices of commodities, equipment and services purchased by companies all fell.

Staff report Former CEO guilty in fraud case COLUMBUS, Ohio A federal jury on Friday convicted the former CEO of a failed health care financing company in a $1.9 billion fraud case that prosecutors likened to the Enron or WorldCom scandals. Lance Poulsen, 65, founder of National Century Financial Enterprises, was accused of fabricating data, moving money between accounts to hide shortfalls and misleading investors who funded his business model. He had been on trial for the past month on charges of securities fraud and money laundering. He was convicted on all 20 counts. His attorneys said they will file an appeal.

Poulsen faces up to 135 years in prison although his actual sentence will likely be shorter un BUSINESS DIGEST AtriCure Inc. says feds investigating company AtriCure Inc. said Friday that the West Chester Township-based maker of surgical devices is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department. In a release, the company said it had received a letter on Monday from the department's civil division, informing the company that the government announcing that it is conducting an investigation for potential False Claims Act and common law violations relating to AtriCure's surgical ablation devices.

Specifically, the letter states that the department is investigating the company's marketing practices utilized in connection with its surgical ablation system to treat atrial fibrillation or an irregular heart beat, a specific use outside the federal Food and Drug Administration's clearance. The letter also states that the department is investigating whether AtriCure instructed hospitals to bill Medicare for surgical ablation using incorrect billing codes. The company expects a request for documents from the depart ment. AtriCure said in a statement that it would cooperate with the probe and "operate its business in the ordinary course during the investigation." Shares in AtriCure closed at down 4 cents. Staff report Area economic-activity index goes positive An index measuring economic activity in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky rose into positive territory for October.

The Purchasing Managers Index Cincinnati measured 50.4 for this month compared to 45.3 for September, a 5.1 percentage point increase, the University of Cincinnati's Applied Economics Research Institute reported Friday. Any index value over 50 represents an increase in purchasing activity. The index, which is compiled by UC in conjunction with the National Association of Purchasing Management's local chapter, had remained above 50 since January 2003 with six exceptions (five occurred since October 2007). The October report "presents a generally positive picture," the institute said in a report accompanying the index. Production, new orders and employment increased for the month, according to the index, which is compiled from data 2-year certificate of deposit Institution Yield General Electnc Credit Union I $500) 4.25 Ne Horizons Credit Union ($500) 4.25 Emery Federal Credit Union ($500) 4.05 Cincinnati Federal Savings ($500) 3.75 CINCO Family Financial Center Credit 3.75 Union ($500) State Farm Bank ($500) .3.70 Cintel Financial Federal Credit Union 3 60 Mount Washington ($500) 3.60 Cheviot Savings Bank ($500) 3.50 Franklin Savings ($500) 3.50 Guardian Sa.irgs Bank ($500) 3.50 Warsaw 1-eUMdl 3.50 Allstate Bank 3.30 Union Savings Bank ($500) 3.26 Eagle Savings Bank 3.25 Foundation Bank ($500) 3.25 5-year certificate of deposit Institution Yield Cheviot Savings Bank ($500) 5.00 General Electric Credit Union ($500) 4.75 New Honzons Credit Union ($500) 4.75 Emery Federal Credit Union ($500) 4.74 Mount Washington ($500) 4.50 Warsaw Federal 4.50 CINCO Family Financial Center Credit 4.25 Union ($500) Eagle Savings Bank 4.25 Franklin Savings ($500) 4.25 Cintel Financial Federal Credit Union 4.16 Allstate Bank 4.10 Cincinnati Federal Savings ($500) 4.10 Advantage Bank 4.00 Guardian Savings Bank ($500) 4.00 State Farm Bank ($500) 3.90 Stock yards Bank ($500) 3.75 Union Savings Bank ($500) 3.75 Peoples Community Bank 3.65 Foundation Bank ($500) 3.60 Bramble Savings Bank 3.50 frflionth certificate of deposit Institution Yield Advantage Bank 3 50 General Electnc Credit Union $500) 3.39 New Horizons Credit Union ($500) 3.251t CINCO Family Financial Center Credit 3.20 Union ($500) Guardian Savings Bank ($500) 3.15 Cintel Financial Federal Credit Union 3.

14 Union Savings Bank ($500) 3 05 Emery Federal Credit Union ($500) 3 03 Cneviot Savings Bank ($500) 3.00 State Farm Bank ($500) 2.75 Warsaw Federal ($500) 2.75 Allstate Bank 2.65 Foundation Bank 2.65 Mount Washington ($500) 2.65 Eagle Savings Bank 2.55 Columbia Savings Bank ($500) 2.30 1-year certificate of deposit Institution Yield New Horizons Credit Union ($500) 3.75 General Electric Credit Union ($500) 3.50 Mount Washington ($500) 3.50 Warsaw Federal 3.50 CINCO Family Financial Center Credrt 3.45 Union ($500) Emery Federal Credit Union ($500) 3.44 Cintel Financial Federal Credit Union 3.34 Guardian Savings Bank ($500) 3.30 Cheviot Savings Bank ($500) 3.25 Allstate 8ank 3.15 Union Savings Bank ($500) 3.15 Bramble Savings Bank 2.75 Cottage Savings Bank ($500) 2.75 Foundation Bank ($500) 2.75 State Farm Bank ($500) 2.75 Eagle Savings Bank 2.70 Advantage Bank 2 65 Peoples Community Bank 2.60 Stock Yards Bank ($500) 2.50 Highest bank yields Home improvement projects that'll unleash your inner contractor. Homescape Sundays tiif ENQUIRER To subscribe, visit Cincinnati.Com. search: suoscrite or call 1 .800 876.4500 Here are some of the highest nationwide yields on five types of accounts, according to the 100 Highest Yields consumer-investor newsletter. Yields are based upon method of compounding and interest rate Tuesday for the lowest minimum deposit available. CD figures are for fixed rates.

Commercial Real Estate Transfers The most expensive commercial property transfers recorded recently in Hamilton, Clermont, Butler and Warren counties in Ohio; and Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Kentucky, based on dollar values of $2 million or more (data collected from county records). To see transfers of properties valued at $200,000 to $1,999,999, go to Cincinnati.Com. Search: real estate. Ohio Clermont County We write the words that speak to you. Mr.

Wallace may 10260 Alliance Rd. Suite Telephone: Ohio National Financial Services. Lift dmtiges.Wc'U be thm.t The independent, top life reflects personal financial and Million Dollar Round Table is an international association of insurance professionals. Membership a commitment to professional and development to better serve the security needs of families, individuals businesses. Union Township Property: 520 Ohio Pike.

Sell-en Credit Suisse Leasing 92A LP. Buyer: Home Depot USA, Inc. Price: $10,257,467. Use: Other retail structures. Hamilton County Forest Park Property: 11651 Norbourne Drive.

Seller: Kensington Park Apartments LLC. Buyen Core Kensington Park Apartments LLC. Price: $19,450,000. Use: Apartment complex. Sharonville Property: 3630 E.

Kemper Road. Seller: JD Real Estate Subsidiary LLC. Buyer: Dubois Chemicals Inc. Price: $13,156,000. Use: Medium manufacturing.

with ThinkTV, Dunn says. "With new media, you can do it much less expensive and do more of it," Dunn says. Fogarty wants to broadcast some of the CETconnect content. "We need to look at how we can integrate online and broadcast services. We see this as a real plus," Fogarty says.

2.5-year certificate of deposit Advanta Bank Salt Lake City 4.45 Discover Bank, New Castle, Del. 4.40 Intervest National Bank, New York 4.40 Bank NA, Oakfield, N.Y. 4.39 UmbrellaBank.com, 4.30 Birmingham, Ala. 5-year certificate of deposit Intervest National Bank, New York 5.25 Discover Bank, New Castle, Del. 5.21 GMAC Bank, Midvale, Utah 5.15 Wachovia Bank NA, Charlotte, N.C.

5.15 Annual percentage yield for first year. Source: Bankrate.com, a publication ofBankrate North Palm Beach, FL 33408, www.bankrate.com Money market account UFBDirect.com, Irvine, Calif. 4.00 Corus Bank, Chicago 3.85 Flagstar Bank, Troy, Mich, 3.65 Excel National Bank, 3.60 Beverly Hills, Calif. 6-month certificate of deposit Excel National Bank, 4.15 Bevedy Hills, Calif. Corus Bank, Chicago 4.15 Imperial Capital Bank, LaJolla, Calif.

4.10 ViitualBank. 4.08 Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 1-year certificate of deposit Corus Bank, Chicago 4.60 VirtualBank. 4.45 Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. GMAC Bank, Midvale, Utah 4.36 Tennessee Commerce Bank, 4.35 Franklin, Tenn.

CET: Merging with two Dayton TV stations Best-performing mutual funds The following are the leaders, based on one-year returns as of Thursday, for capital appreciation funds. These funds aim for maximum capital appreciation, frequently by means of a more than 100 percent portfolio turnover, leveraging, purchasing unregistered securities and options. sTf) FiusCCTV Video Surveillance Systems Business Owners Plus CCTV Is making professional Grade Closed Circuit Television Systems affordable to all businesses. Free Estimates Complete Installed Systems Starting at $1,499.00 DIY CCTV Video Surveillance Kits starting at $699.00 call 513-942-7248 www.pluscctv.corn Latest 1 year 5 year total net cumulative cumulative assets (mil. total return total return 0.1 50.63 2.05 33.1 49.77 0.37 12.9 49.10 1.0 48.80 1057.1 31.76 33.02 65.8 30.78 28.12 0.1 3.92 NA 25.3 0.56 7.14 3822.0 23.08 1413.7 18.00 410.0 NA 0.4 NA 82.5 0.83 0.8 NA 4.2 Nasdaq Fund name symbol Comstock Cap CPCRX Comstock Cap DRCVX Comstock Cap CPCCX Comstock Cap DCVBX Prudent Bear Ld BEARX Prudent Bear PBRCX PURLX GAMCO MATRX Hussman Gro HSGFX Merger Fund MERFX Vantagepoint Div Assets VPDAX IOCZX IOCIX ICONilncome IOCAX IOCCX Average The following are the leaders, small cap funds.

These funds size. based on one-year returns as of Thursday, for limit investments to companies on the basis of From Page CI Many details must be worked out in the next six months, Dominic says. Public TV officials in both cities have talked about merging four times in 25 years, Fogarty says. The stations even shared a programming executive in 2000, when CET vice president Scott Elliott spent two days a week in Dayton. Talks became serious two years ago, when Dunn became board chairman.

"We believe strongly that in today's nonprofit and media environment, a shared regional vision offers the best opportunity to strengthen our educational services and local programming, while maintaining a distinct market presence," Dunn says. PBS stations have merged in two other areas, for New York City and Long Island, and San Francisco and San Jose. The Southwestern Ohio consolidation is the first for two equal-size public-TV operations, local station managers say. CET and ThinkTV each serve about 2 million people. Each have about a $7 million budget and 50 employees, Fogarty says.

ThinkTV operates Dayton's Channel 16 and Oxford's Channel 14, which each have five digital channels. CET broadcasts two digital channels, with plans to add a third digital channel soon with a new federal grant. Under Howarth, CET built a model community-based Web site offering 1,500 videos on demand. CETconnect averages 50,000 unique visitors and 500,000 page views a month, she says. CETs online video library and expertise will be shared Um 6A0QR fiua at lnantinn nivai yriftfv vhv hi iiivvrtiwii license 4 doc lees.

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