วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 30 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2552

What is an E2 Investor Visa?

Getting a green card is something which a lot of people tend to work towards. This is something, which would allow you to reside, as well as work in the USA visa may be obtained in several ways and for several purposes, as well. The process of getting a visa is quite long, costly and, most of all, frustrating. It entails a lot of medical exams, paperwork, as well as documents which need to be presented with the US agencies.

Apart from green card, there are several other kinds of US visas, one of them being the e2 investor visa. An individual who is an associate of a profession with higher degree can seek to classify in e2 investor visa group. An advanced degree is believed to be higher than baccalaureate degree or possessing such a baccalaureate degree, along with five years of experience in a particular profession.

In case of the later situation, the five years of experience in combination with a baccalaureate degree has been considered to be at par with a master's degree. However, in the case of a particular occupation a doctoral degree is required which that person requires one. Any blend of a degree along with years of experience has not been considered to be equivalent. However, having a degree would not mean that you would surely acquire an e2 investor visa.

An individual who wants to get a visa like that should have a well designed business plan which consists of detailed information in regard to the nature as well as functions of future business, how high would be the initial investment, or the employment projections. Along with these things you may include the prices of real estate property, cost of materials, employee wages and financial statements as well as others.

Although there are a number of sources of information one can choose, nothing is better than talking to business immigration attorney. Now, this is a better choice for the e2 investor visa applicant, so as to receive the detailed answers which he seeks for all his questions. As it is, such an attorney may help you to create formal documents which are necessary, in case you provide with the required information.

Apart from that, there is another category, which is included in e2 investor visa, which includes the persons who has an exceptional ability in some area. This ability may be defined as a level of expertise which is higher than average in arts, sciences, or business. For somebody to qualify as part of this category, some criteria of USCIS should be fulfilled.

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วันอังคารที่ 28 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2552

The Banking System Improves, Surprising the "Experts"

Conventional wisdom regarding the banking system is leaning again toward "zombie" banks being propped up by bailouts leading to a "lost decade". This argument is upside down, and bank earnings reports are proving it. Yet the media and "analysts" have no idea what is actually happening, content to recycle clichés and uneducated generalizations.


In the Japanese version, banking loans were priced at full value even though they were worthless - they were not receiving full (or any) principal and interest payments. The current American crisis is the opposite - syndicated loans are priced as near worthless even though they are receiving full interest and principal payments, or in the case of synthetic CDO's, full protection payments within reference portfolios.

The banks and brokerage firms were not heavy investors in the bottom rungs of credit structures. If you do some cursory research in readily available public filings the biggest source of writedowns were super senior tranches - even AIG's biggest problems are related to screwy pricing of the most senior tranches. As bad as subprime is, the loss rates and recovery rates will never be bad enough to force the senior tranches to suffer any dollar losses - yet they are typically priced below 50 cents on the dollar.

Why?

Credit default swap (CDS) illiquidity, complexity and fear coupled with screwy mathematical properties, such as the negative convexity produced by using the Gaussian copula. The fact that CDS pricing is producing insane results, like correlations above 100%, is a real indication that current valuations (the exact same valuations that the mark-to-market accounting rules forces to be "real") are not remotely predictive of cash flow reality.

The bottom line is that banks are reluctant to part with their "toxic" assets because they are, and will continue to be, money-good. The zombie bank image has been created by esoteric, nonsense CDS pricing mechanisms, but that is the reality the public has bought because of uneducated and dishonest reporting. Just because the banking system has little credibility doesn't mean it is wrong.

Rather than having a "propped-up" banking system, we really have an artificial crisis (that isn't to say there aren't real problems or even real losses, but they aren't where people think and are of an order of magnitude less). Without mark-to-market phantom/paper losses creating doubt there would never have been the commercial paper runs that took down Bear, Lehman, etc.

The gulf of perception about "toxic" assets is really a function of mathematical complexity. It is far easier to label all subprime assets as "toxic", and negative convexity simply reinforces that. But pulling apart the myth really doesn't require too much math, and even negative convexity can be explained to unsophisticated people.

In a simple example, in order for a super senior tranche to be priced at 50 cents on the dollar (Merrill Lynch sold some for 22 cents last summer) default rates would have to be 100% with a recovery rate well below 40%. Even subprime mortgages of the worst vintages (originated in the second half of 2006 or the first half of 2007) are not seeing anything close to that. At its worst, reasonable estimates are for 40% defaults with 65% recoveries. For a super senior tranche with a low attachment point of 70%, that would mean zero actual losses. In fact, that dire scenario would mean every tranche above a 14% attachment point would pay out fully (most likely all the seniors and perhaps a mezzanine).

Again, this cannot be stated more forcefully, the banks were exposed to super senior tranches. Even in synthetic CDO's (which most super seniors were) the credit structure provides more than enough protection. Didn't any "experts" wonder why nobody could come up with a price to soak up "toxic" assets? Because banks wanted full price (or near) the government worried it would look like a bailout - the difference in perceptions should have been a wakeup. Instead of decrying the insanity of bankers, the media should have been investigating exactly why banks wanted to keep "toxic" assets "experts" were convinced would ruin them. Those that think it was an attempt by Wall Street to game the government through handouts need to explain why negative convexity and 100%2B% correlations are proper and appropriate.

The vicious cycle of paper losses and inaccurate reporting was transmitted through hedging activities. Haywire spreads increased exposures, creating even more hedging activity (based on deltas). The values of the hedges continually declined as spreads widened past logical values, but accounting rules required phantom losses even though there will never be any actual dollar losses. AIG, with its naked default swap portfolio, was not brought down by actual losses - it was sunk by collateral calls created from these insane pricing methods, calls that were too big for its cash position. At that point if AIG wasn't bailed out, the unfilled collateral calls would have created even bigger phantom paper losses through mathematical delta hedging exposure changes.

While this shadow system operates outside the grasp of the media and bank analysts, the "experts" are focused on something seemingly simple - stress tests. But what they are actually measuring escapes the "experts". The true goal of the stress tests is to measure if the phantom loss repatriation will be enough to cushion against actual loan losses from non-mortgage credit. In other words, will the market value increases in super senior exposures be enough to offset recession-driven losses on credit cards and auto loans?

First quarter earnings reports from Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and even Citigroup show that super senior valuations are, indeed, rising fast enough to offset loan loss reserve increases. But the "analysts" who cover the banks have no idea it is happening, which is why these earnings reports are a "surprise". The media is also unaware, as news articles and talking heads simply point to better results from "bond trading", when in fact no actual trading took place. Instead it is the increase in value (due to a belated realization by accounting regulators of the affects the phantom losses have produced) from credit derivatives, those pesky "toxic" assets, that is driving the banks' resurgence.
It is vitally important for investors to find a trusted source of information. Investing in the next decade is going to be almost entirely economics-driven, a period not unlike the 1970s, where the normal boom/bust cycle is interrupted by government-produced inflation and stagnation, maybe even a depression. Keeping on top of economic forces will be the key to successful investing - economic dislocations create investment opportunities for the informed.

Jeffrey P. Snider is President and Portfolio Manager for Atlantic Capital Management. You can find more information on the mark-to-market issue at http://www.client-centered.net/research.html Institutional investors can go to http://www.acminstitutional.com/research.html for more reports.

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วันอาทิตย์ที่ 26 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2552

Key Factors to Oil and Gas Investing

In the last few years, we have seen a tremendous rise in investment in oil and gas. A major reason for this might be the tragic scenario in the share markets across the globe, which has forced many investors, to look out for alternative avenues of investments. As it is, oil and gas investment requires a keen sense of judgment on the part of the investor in determining what oil and gas stocks he should invest in.

Now, before you decide to invest in any particular stocks, such as the oil sands stocks, or the Canadian oil stocks, you need to take care of a few aspects. The following are some of the aspects, which you need to consider, before you go ahead with your investment:

1. First and foremost, your decision should be based on facts rather than market sentiments. That does not at all imply that you have to go against popular views; but it is always better to go by a logical analysis, instead of mood swings.

2. The most common saying that is very much applicable in Oil and Gas investment is; do not keep all your eggs in one basket. So, as it is in this case, it is advisable to diversify your portfolio and not pin all your hopes on a particular area. This would not only help you gain in the long run, but would also lower the risk factor as well. In fact the more diversified is your portfolio, the lower are your chances of loss.

3. Make sure that your research is not limited to simply market reviews. Do what most people rarely do, i.e. read journals and know about latest research and development projects as well as new patent rights which have been registered. This would give you a fair idea of promising prospects. Apart from that, make sure that you know bout the recent findings in regard to oil and natural gas reserves.

4. A common mistake which you should always avoid is investing your cash reserves, all at one time. You should always have some spare reserves, to bail you out of difficult times. Spare reserves may also play a great role in maximizing your returns as well.

Apart from the above factors, there are several other factors, which may help you in making the right kind of investment. Make sure that you do not buy overpriced stocks. For this you may check the price earning ratio. Apart from this, another factor which plays an important role is commodity prices. So, if you are looking forward to long term investment in oil and gas, then you do not have to worry much about the commodity prices. In case if you are focusing on short term investment, then in that case, commodity prices become extremely important.

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วันศุกร์ที่ 24 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2552

Alternative Minimum Tax

The major purpose behind the alternative minimum tax was to make sure that the people with ridiculously large amount of wealth are not able to shelter all their income, by way of deductions. Now, over a period of time, who should e considered as wealthy, is actually a matter of great contention.

Now, instead of opting for a tax net covering the wealthy, the Alternative Minimum Tax has become a stealth tax, which adversely affects the upper middle class taxpayers. As it is, these taxpayers are usually not able to see it coming until it hits the roof. According to the archives, around twenty thousand taxpayers came under the Alternative Minimum Tax category in the year 1970. By the next thirty six years, the number has grown up to around four million. Not just that, according to the Internal Revenue services, this number would further go up and may touch a level of more than thirty five million by the year 2010.

Now, the major issue in terms of the Alternative Minimum Tax, is not in regard to the tax bracket, which is actually lesser than the regular tax system. The main problem is in regard to the deductions, which it does not allow. So, while you may still consider mortgage interest, as well as charitable donations, the Alternative Minimum Tax, would however, exclude the state, as well as the local income taxes, as well as property taxes, child tax credits, home-equity loan interest, unreimbursed business expenses, tax preparation fees and legal fees.

As it is, lack of these exemptions, make you end up with a higher taxable income. By way of simply living in a place with higher property tax or having a big family might trigger the alternative minimum tax, as would a mortgage deduction. By way of exercising the incentive stock options might be the biggest and the most unexpected blow. Under the alternative minimum tax, the difference in between the exercise price, as well as the market price should count as income. Now, before you opt for an incentive stock option, you should always consult a financial professional. This is because, the number of options, which you exercise, as well as the timing may substantially affect the amount of taxes, which you would owe on this gain.

In fact, the private activity bond, or the municipal bonds for various public projects like the airports, as well as stadiums, tends to lose the tax-free status in alternative minimum tax. As it is, you should consult your financial professional while investing in private activity bonds.

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วันพุธที่ 22 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2552

Understanding the Different ISAs Available

In a bid to encourage UK residents to save more money the British government introduced ISAs, short for individual savings accounts. The appeal of an ISA lies in the tax efficiency that you receive when saving your money in this type of account.

With many other types of saving account you are liable to pay tax on any interest accrued whereas an ISA gives you freedom from this, meaning no Income or Capital Gains tax is paid on the interest you receive or any return on your investment.

There are a number of different ISA products available, so a spot of initial research will ensure you choose the best product to suit your individual needs.

There are two types of ISA to choose from; Cash ISAs and Investment ISAs. A Cash ISA operates in a similar way to any other savings account that pays interest; you place money into your ISA account for a set period of time and then earn interest on your savings. The way in which a Cash ISA does differ to other bank accounts relates to the fact you will not pay any tax on the interest you receive, which ultimately means more money for you in the long run.

As with other types of savings account there are a number of different types of Cash ISA, from easy access to fixed rate to notice accounts. The rate of interest you receive tends to vary depending on which type of account you opt for, so it is well worth shopping around before making your final decision.

If you want to invest in a Cash ISA in the United Kingdom then you need to be 16 years of age or over. In addition, if you want to save money in a British bank account then you must be a resident in the UK.

An Investment ISA is a Stocks and Shares ISA which enables you to invest your money in a choice of funds with different investment objectives. Whether you want to achieve regular income or capital growth, an Investment ISA is also a tax-efficient way of saving that gives you the flexibility to tailor your investments to suit yourself.

You can open one Cash ISA and one Investment ISA each tax year. Under the 2008/09 tax rules that apply in the United Kingdom you can invest up to £3,600 in a Cash ISA. The remainder of your £7,200 allowance can be invested in a Stocks and Shares ISA. Alternatively, you can just open a single Stocks and Shares ISA and invest the full £7,200 in that.

As with opening any new savings account, it pays to take your time to thoroughly research the market. That way, you can be sure you are choosing the most suitable account for your needs.

Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

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Finding Government Grants

I wanted to talk to you about finding gov grants. There are a lot of people that are struggling out there and have no idea that if they just applied for a simple grant that they'd probably get it. There are a number of areas that you can get a grant in and you probably had no idea. With the increased stimulus spending, there is more money in the grant funds than ever before. They're handing them out like hot cakes for you to use, to help stimulate the economy and keep you off the street. I'm going to talk to you about finding gov grants.

There is a vast amount of different grants that you can get to help pay things like your bills. If you have a mortgage payment you can get funds to help pay it down. If you're someone that is going to college, you can get help for your student loans and textbooks. If you're a parent, you can get money to help raise your children. If you're a single parent, you can get even more money to help raise them. Grants are being handed out in record amounts, so you should be able to get your share of the pie.

When it comes to finding government grants you have a vast resource known as the internet to help do your searching. You may need to speak with a professional though. Sometimes there is just so much bureaucratic red tape to jump through that you'll never be able to find everything you want.

Learn how to get Federal Gov Grants

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