U.S. Federal Reserve in an emergency meeting cuts interest rates, which follows major corporations such as Bank of America and Vachovia to lower their prime rates.

Effective today, Wachovia Corporation (NYSE:WB) lowered its prime interest rate to 6.50 percent from 7.25 percent at Wachovia Bank, National Association and all of its other banking subsidiaries.

Mike Southon and Jeff Macklin two of the co-authors of the highly successful book ‘Finance on a Beermat’ are leading a one-day conference taking place in March in Central London.

Nevada is the home of the new business model in gold mining: Find a past-producing mine where lots of known ore-grade material was left behind during the deflated gold price era in the later nineties, and put it back into production. It’s a straightforward approach (for mining) that has a well established track record. Harvest Gold (TSX.V:HVG) is planning just such a revival for the Rosebud Mine.

Investors in True North Gems (TSX.V: TGX) were treated to a rare gift this Christmas past when the company reported the discovery of a new sapphire prospect complete with a 139 carat blue sapphire on its Beluga sapphire property in Nunavut, Canada.

Aesop, the ancient Greek fabulist, was known for his kernels of wisdom – usually aimed at children. He advised that “it is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow,” and suggested that rewards come when you “put your shoulder to the wheel”. Even though the mining business is hardly child’s play, it’s obvious that Tribune Uranium Corp’s (TSX.V:TCB) management has integrated this age-old advice into its vision as it looks forward to a year of steady growth.

Russian mining and exploration have had a long road toward real openness since Glasnost and Perestroika were decreed by the then president of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev. And forefront of juniors making headway in modern day Russia is Golden Reign Resources (TSX.V:GRR).

Citygroup's Results Reflect Write-Downs on Sub-Prime Related Direct Exposures in Fixed. Citigroup Reports Income Markets and Increased Credit Costs Related to U.S. Consumer Loans, Record Results in International Consumer, Transaction Services and Global Wealth Management, Strong Business Volumes; Average Deposits Up 21%, Average Loans Up 19%.

First Financial Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: FFCH) today announced preliminary information regarding earnings results for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, its first quarter of fiscal 2008.

Chase's new marketing campaign, which debuts Sunday, will shine a laser-like focus on What Matters to customers, alerting them to the ways Chase can help them manage their money and their lives. "Our customers' everyday financial lives are changing," said Ryan McInerney, head of marketing for Chase's Consumer Bank. "Our new brand focus reiterates our commitment to keep pace with our customers and deliver benefits that can make both an immediate and long-term impact on their lives."

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee today voted to maintain the official Bank Rate paid on commercial bank reserves at 5.5%.

DRI Capital (formerly Drug Royalty Corporation Inc.) has expanded its investment strategy and has launched a Structured Finance Fund with approximately US$300 million. This hybrid debt and equity fund is focused on providing both revenue producing and late stage life sciences and medical device companies financing for a variety of uses.