Feds Adopt Rules on Credit Card Abuses
from USA Today
In the most sweeping changes to credit cards in decades, federal regulators on Thursday approved new rules to crack down on so-called unfair and deceptive practices by card issuers, such as raising interest rates on existing debt. The rules were approved Thursday morning by the Office of Thrift Supervision, a Treasury Department division. John Reich, the agency's director, says the rules "will enhance public confidence in financial institutions and establish a level playing field for institutions that want to do business fairly without suffering competitive disadvantages." More

Payroll for Dummies and Other Free Online Tools
from Inc.
PayCycle, the California-based online payroll services firm, and Wiley Publishing, best known for its "For Dummies" series of how-to books, have teamed up to offer a free payroll guide for small-business owners. "Payroll for Dummies, PayCycle Special Edition" is a pocket-sized booklet offering payroll basics and tips on how to avoid costly errors. It includes information about top payroll responsibilities, payroll taxes, and automating tax filings and payments. More

Top 10 Business Risks for 2009
from Business Finance Magazine
For the second straight year, Ernst & Young has released a report ranking what the firm sees as the top 10 risks for global business in the coming year. This year's top 10, compiled in collaboration with Oxford Analytica and based on interviews with more than 100 analysts, contains a few surprises. More

Don’t want to pay thousands of dollars for website design? DON’T! Use MorePhotos' dynamic html and flash templates: Fraction of the cost of using a website design company Change your mind? No waiting or paying extra! Just do it! Our friendly tech support is included! They are designed for professional photographers, just like you! Visit us here for more information or call 888-968-5565 ext. 25.

Stay on Top of Mobile Advertising
from Entrepreneur
Since its release in 1978, the mobile phone has become more of a dependency than a convenience. With its wild growth, new techniques to market and advertise replace the older archaic methods, while the underlying needs of advertising remain the same. Here's how entrepreneurs can adapt to this new environment and some of the trends emerging within it. More

After the Carnage: Opportunities in 2009
from BusinessWeek
Contrary to appearances, the world is not coming to an end. What we're living through is a painful, protracted, but ultimately healthy rebalancing. In the new equilibrium, whenever it comes, the U.S. will return to its productive heritage. It will create goods and services that the rest of the world wants instead of paying for imports with IOUs. More

Report: Small Business Administration Still Failing
from CNN
For a look at just one of the many problems besetting the Small Business Administration, check out the Government Accountability Office's recent report on its yearlong audit of the SBA's 8(a) program, a business development program intended to aid socially and economically disadvantaged small firms. This is the ninth time this year that the GAO has reported on conditions at the SBA. This most recent report, published in November, follows a series of earlier audits identifying problems at the agency, including a July report that focused on abuses in the SBA's HUBZone program. More

First Ever Decline in Online Sales
from CNN Money
In the latest sign of consumers in distress, online holiday sales registered a first-ever decline in seven years, according to sales tracker ComScore. Andrew Lipsman, analyst with ComScore, said this is the first time the firm has recorded a drop in the measure since it started tracking holiday ecommerce sales in 2001. More