I guess it’s sort of like those 3D abstract imges from the early 90s. Once you are able to see the actual image in there, you can see them everytime …

The SEC’s release:

US SEC: SEC Halts $68 Million Ponzi Scheme Involving Caribbean-Based Bank and Swiss Affiliate

M2 PressWIRE via NewsEdge : RDATE:26032009 Washington, D.C — The Securities and Exchange Commission has obtained an emergency court order halting a $68 million Ponzi scheme involving the sale of fictitious high-yield certificates of deposit (CDs) by Caribbean-based Millennium Bank. The SEC alleges that the scheme targeted U.S. investors and misled them into believing they were putting their money in supposedly safe and secure CDs that purportedly offered returns that were up to 321 percent higher than legitimate bank-issued CDs. The SEC’s complaint alleges that William J. Wise of Raleigh, N.C., and Kristi M. Hoegel of Napa, Calif., orchestrated the scheme through Millennium Bank, its Geneva, Switzerland-based parent United Trust of Switzerland S.A., and U.S.-based affiliates UT of S, LLC and Millennium Financial Group. In addition to Wise and Kristi Hoegel and these entities, the SEC has charged Jacqueline S. Hoegel (who is the mother of Kristi Hoegel), Brijesh Chopra, and Philippe Angeloni for their roles in the scheme. “As alleged in our complaint, the defendants disguised their Ponzi scheme as a legitimate offshore investment and made promises about exuberant returns that were just too good to be true,” said Rose Romero, Director of the SEC’s Fort Worth Regional Office. “This case demonstrates that investors need to be especially cautious when placing money with entities that may be outside the reach of U.S. regulators.” According to the SEC’s complaint, at least $68 million was raised from more than 375 investors since July 2004. Millennium Bank, a licensed St. Vincent and the Grenadines bank, solicited new investors for its CD program through blatant misrepresentations and glaring omissions in its online solicitations and in advertising campaigns targeting high net-worth individuals. For example, in offering materials, Millennium Bank claimed that its parent, United Trust of Switzerland S.A., provides Millennium Bank with “over 75 years of banking experience, correspondent banking relationships, decades of knowledge in privacy and confidentiality as well as extensive training for our customer services professionals.” In fact, the SEC alleges, United Trust of Switzerland S.A. is not a Swiss-licensed bank or securities dealer. Potential investors visiting Millennium Bank’s Web site also were falsely informed that Millennium Bank is not affected by the global financial crisis and has a 100 percent client satisfaction record going back close to 10 years, and has its own affiliate asset management company with highly seasoned professionals who invest meticulously. The SEC alleges that investor funds were not used for legitimate banking or investment activities. Instead, to create the appearance of a legitimate offshore investment, investors purchasing the CDs were instructed to deliver their investment checks to the offshore bank. The SEC alleges that the checks were then packaged and delivered to UT of S LLC’s office in Napa, Calif., where the checks were electronically deposited by a remote deposit machine into a UT of S, LLC account. The account, which is held at a U.S. financial institution, also received millions of dollars of investor funds via wire transfer. From that account, the SEC alleges, the defendants misappropriated a vast majority of the investor funds to enrich themselves and pay personal expenses, while making relatively small Ponzi payments to investors. Judge Reed O’Connor, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, granted the SEC’s request for an asset freeze and emergency relief for investors. The SEC charges that the defendants violated the anti-fraud provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The SEC’s complaint also alleges that the defendants violated the registration provisions of the Securities Act. The complaint seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement together with prejudgment interest, and financial penalties. Additionally, the SEC’s complaint names four individuals and four entities as relief defendants: Lynn P. Wise of Raleigh, N.C. (the wife of William J. Wise); Ryan D. Hoegel of Lincoln, Calif. (the brother of Kristi Hoegel); Daryl C. Hoegel of American Canyon, Calif. (the husband of Jacqueline Hoegel), Laurie H. Walton of Raleigh; and United T of S, LLC, Sterling I.S., LLC, Matrix Administration, LLC, and Jasmine Administration, LLC. All four entities are based in Las Vegas. The SEC’s enforcement action seeks an order compelling them to return funds and assets traceable to the Millennium Bank fraud. http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2009/2009-68.htm   ((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)). <<M2 PressWIRE — 03/30/09>>

2009-68

Washington, D.C., March 26, 2009 — The Securities and Exchange Commission has obtained an emergency court order halting a $68 million Ponzi scheme involving the sale of fictitious high-yield certificates of deposit (CDs) by Caribbean-based Millennium Bank.

The SEC alleges that the scheme targeted U.S. investors and misled them into believing they were putting their money in supposedly safe and secure CDs that purportedly offered returns that were up to 321 percent higher than legitimate bank-issued CDs. The SEC’s complaint alleges that William J. Wise of Raleigh, N.C., and Kristi M. Hoegel of Napa, Calif., orchestrated the scheme through Millennium Bank, its Geneva, Switzerland-based parent United Trust of Switzerland S.A., and U.S.-based affiliates UT of S, LLC and Millennium Financial Group. In addition to Wise and Kristi Hoegel and these entities, the SEC has charged Jacqueline S. Hoegel (who is the mother of Kristi Hoegel), Brijesh Chopra, and Philippe Angeloni for their roles in the scheme.

“As alleged in our complaint, the defendants disguised their Ponzi scheme as a legitimate offshore investment and made promises about exuberant returns that were just too good to be true,” said Rose Romero, Director of the SEC’s Fort Worth Regional Office. “This case demonstrates that investors need to be especially cautious when placing money with entities that may be outside the reach of U.S. regulators.”

According to the SEC’s complaint, at least $68 million was raised from more than 375 investors since July 2004. Millennium Bank, a licensed St. Vincent and the Grenadines bank, solicited new investors for its CD program through blatant misrepresentations and glaring omissions in its online solicitations and in advertising campaigns targeting high net-worth individuals. For example, in offering materials, Millennium Bank claimed that its parent, United Trust of Switzerland S.A., provides Millennium Bank with “over 75 years of banking experience, correspondent banking relationships, decades of knowledge in privacy and confidentiality as well as extensive training for our customer services professionals.” In fact, the SEC alleges, United Trust of Switzerland S.A. is not a Swiss-licensed bank or securities dealer. Potential investors visiting Millennium Bank’s Web site also were falsely informed that Millennium Bank is not affected by the global financial crisis and has a 100 percent client satisfaction record going back close to 10 years, and has its own affiliate asset management company with highly seasoned professionals who invest meticulously.

The SEC alleges that investor funds were not used for legitimate banking or investment activities. Instead, to create the appearance of a legitimate offshore investment, investors purchasing the CDs were instructed to deliver their investment checks to the offshore bank. The SEC alleges that the checks were then packaged and delivered to UT of S LLC’s office in Napa, Calif., where the checks were electronically deposited by a remote deposit machine into a UT of S, LLC account. The account, which is held at a U.S. financial institution, also received millions of dollars of investor funds via wire transfer. From that account, the SEC alleges, the defendants misappropriated a vast majority of the investor funds to enrich themselves and pay personal expenses, while making relatively small Ponzi payments to investors.

Judge Reed O’Connor, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, granted the SEC’s request for an asset freeze and emergency relief for investors.

The SEC charges that the defendants violated the anti-fraud provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The SEC’s complaint also alleges that the defendants violated the registration provisions of the Securities Act. The complaint seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement together with prejudgment interest, and financial penalties.

Additionally, the SEC’s complaint names four individuals and four entities as relief defendants: Lynn P. Wise of Raleigh, N.C. (the wife of William J. Wise); Ryan D. Hoegel of Lincoln, Calif. (the brother of Kristi Hoegel); Daryl C. Hoegel of American Canyon, Calif. (the husband of Jacqueline Hoegel), Laurie H. Walton of Raleigh; and United T of S, LLC, Sterling I.S., LLC, Matrix Administration, LLC, and Jasmine Administration, LLC. All four entities are based in Las Vegas. The SEC’s enforcement action seeks an order compelling them to return funds and assets traceable to the Millennium Bank fraud.

# # #

For more information, contact:

Steven Korotash
Associate Director, SEC’s Fort Worth Regional Office
(817) 978-6490

David Peavler
Assistant Director, SEC’s Fort Worth Regional Office
(817) 978-1417

Am pus titlul asta ca m-am plimbat azi pe plaja, pina la capat si inapoi si, prin soarele dupa-amiezii, am vazut vreo doua minute cum paramedicii si politia cautau sa resusciteze un om care cazuse/ sarise de pe dig. Am facut si o poza, dar am sters-o din aparat, pentru ca nu sint gazetar de scandal de cacat sa scot pe internet poze cu tragedia unui om. Si cautam acum un titlu cu hook, mi-am amintit de povestire, am zis sa fac legatura, etc.

Asa. Acum, mai vesel, cu do major.

1. Puteti sa vedeti ‘Muzica de camera’ pe 20 Martie la ceva eveniment FutureShorts, in sexiunea competitiva ‘Banda Rulanta’, la TNB din cite am inteles, in jur de 2230. Dupa aia, serbare cu digei.

2. Puteti sa vedeti ‘AITILOP’ pe 23 Martie, cred, in cadrul B-est IFF, dar nu stiu inca in ce locatie se desfasoara.

3.

4. Am vazut Manchester – Liverpool si vitejii mei au biruit cu 4-1. Du-te, Torres, du-te. Ma duc si eu. 

Va pupa tata.

Już od dawna chciałem napisać o reklamach, które widywałem na ulicach czy w gazetach. Trochę już się ponabijałem w tekście Era retuszera, ale nie wspominałem tam np. o pięknej reklamie Ery gdzie pani ze skręconym karkiem uśmiecha się i wygląda, że dobrze się bawi przy akompaniamencie kolegów i koleżanki którzy jej towarzyszą. Widziałem ją w Katowicach w dwóch miejscach i naprawdę wygląda to dosyć zabawnie. Podobne kwiatki zdarzały się już wieolkrotnie w reklamach, które dostawałem pocztą. Prym wiedzie dział reklamy o2.pl! Najfajniejszą dostałem parę dni temu. Bank Millennium i pan od milionerów skradają się do mnie na paluszkach Niby nic takiego, pewnie większość to zaraz wyrzuca, ale z mojego doświadczenia wiem, że nie daje się do emisji materiałów nie zatwierdzonych przez dział handlowy, więc może to celowy zabieg marketingowców z Millennium?

Edit: Dzisiaj pan od milionerów zaatakował mnie ponownie. Wypłacając pieniądze z bankomatu euronet zobaczyłem, że jego lewa noga potrafi podwajać swoją długość. Niestety nie miałem czasu zrobić zdjęcia, więc mogę tylko polecić spacer do najbliższego bankomatu sieci euronet i zaliczeniu porcji darmowych reklam.

Millennium Bank a deschis doua unitati la Pitesti si isi continua extinderea spre 31 de unitati in acest an, punand la dispozitie 250 de locuri de munca, scrie Wall-street, citand un comunicat al bancii. In prezent, Millennium Bank dispune de 49 de unitati in 13 orase, iar tinta este de 80 de unitati in judete precum Arad, Baia Mare, Buzau, Neamt sau Timis.

Vezi ofertele de locuri de munca la Millennium Bank.

Consulta pe MyJob.ro peste 700 de oferte de locuri de munca in domeniul banci/finante.

..cele mai expuse la criza subprime (campioana riscurilor este subsidiara locala a Millennium Bank), puteti citi in documentul atasat, primit ieri de la prietenul meu Mihai Bobocea .

E vorba despre o analiza a pietei poloneze de banking, foare accurate. Documentul il puteti descarca de aici

O campanie teribila de la GMP pentru Millennium Bank.

Una din executii e un banner flash pe eva.ro, de unde afli ca poti sa-i dai vacanta pestisorului de aur, pentru ca de-acum ai bani de la banca-cu-brandu’-roz si poti sa-ti implinesti dorintele si singur.

Sa-i dai vacanta am zis? Am fost blanda. Sa-i dai la cap e varianta corecta. Sa-l casapesti, sa-l lichidezi, sa-l faci saramura sau pane (dupa cum ilustreaza printul cu tigaia), sa-l omori, domnule! Si-n flash-ul respectiv ai si instrumentele: o tigaie, o bata, o manusa de box sau palma. Si poti, intr-o simulare foarte veridica, sa-l pocnesti cu ele pe pestisor pana-i star stele rosii din cap.

Aceasta violenta absolut gratuita m-a lasat fara cuvinte.

Niciodata, dar never-ever, nu voi pune piciorul in aceasta banca sadica, care omoara una dintre cele mai frumoase povesti ale copilariei ca sa-si faca reclama. Pai, vorba cuiva, nu putea sa ne spuna sa-i dam drumul pestisorului inapoi in apa?

Daca bradul mileniului nu m-a convins, reclama asta a facut-o: Millennium Bank sucks. La partea de comunicare, clar.

Millennium Bank Bireysel Destek Kredisi ile tüm kredi ihtiyaçlarınızı kolayca karşılayabilirsiniz.

Eğer Millennium Bank müşterisi iseniz 25,000 YTL’ye kadar olan tüm ihtiyaçlarınızı, YTL veya dövize endeksli olarak kullanım amacı belirtmenize ve herhangi bir teminat göstermenize* gerek kalmaksızın, 3 aydan 36 aya kadar kendi seçeceğiniz vade ile karşılayabilirsiniz. Bireysel Destek Kredisi faizi, kredi bitim tarihine kadar sabit olup, kredi süresince değişmemektedir.
* Bazı istisnai durumlarda bankamız teminat talep edebilmektedir.

Başvuru için gerekli belgeler

Kredi İstek Formu için tıklayınız.

İkametgah belgesi veya ilgili adreste oturduğunuzu belgeleyen güncel diğer bir belge (elektrik / telefon / doğalgaz faturası)

Nüfus cüzdanı fotokopisi

Gelir Belgesi (ücretliler için son aya ait bordro – maaş bordrosunun firma antetli kağıdına düzenlenmiş olması durumunda firma yetkililerine ait imza sirkülerinin de iletilmesi gerekmektedir- serbest meslek sahipleri için vergi levhası ve ticaret sicil gazetesi ile son çeyreğe ait vergi ödeme makbuzu.)

Yukarıdaki belgelerin tümü kefiliniz için de gereklidir.

Banka, gerek gördüğü durumlarda ek belge ve teminat talep edebilir.

Kaynak: Banka Kredileri

Se facea ca locuiam in Bucuresti, in iarna (fara semne exterioare vizibile) anului 2007, iar in jurul meu se aprindeau luminile de Craciun pe traseul bine-cunoscut Unirii – Universitate – Victoriei. Alergam de nebuna sa le vad, tragand (ca in fiecare an) speranta ca vor fi superbe, minunate, unice, ca ma vor lasa fara respiratie, asa cum s-a intamplat atunci, demult, cand le-au aprins pentru prima oara. 

Apoi se facea ca in Piata Unirii se ridica un brad falnic, de jdemii de metri inaltime, decorat cu jdemilioane de beculete si caruia toti ii ziceau “cel mai inalt brad din Europa”. Si se facea ca bradul asta nu era chiar o opera de arta, ci o reclama foarte pe fatza a unei banci cu brandu’ roz. Si se facea ca primarele Videanu inaugura cu maaaare tam-tam acest brad, in transmisiile directe ale tuturor televizunilor, iar luminile reciclate inaltate pe banii nostri pe tronsonul Unirii - Iunivarsity – Romana treceau pe planul tzshpe si putin ne mai pasa de ele, ca oricum sunt aceleasi de anul trecut si la fel de câh. 

Si apoi se facea ca in Piata Unirii, ca sa-i merite numele, navaleau multimile de oameni de la pashopt si 1907, cu sabii, furci si topoare… cititi “cu telefoane mobile, aparate foto si copii mici in spinare”. Turisti, localnici, hotzi de buzunare, parinti si copii, studenti, elevi si profesori, mitocani si binecrescuti, toti o apa si un pamant in fata Marelui Brad care-si aprindea pentru ei spicele, ingerii si luminitele albastre, in trei faze.

Dar vai! Nici bine nu se luminara spicele, nici bine nu sunara ingerasii din trambite, ca deodata puhoiul porni ca un singur om spre marele brad, sa-l vada de aproape, strivind in cale-i masini, buticuri, cabine telefonice, borduri si alte piedici absolut irelevante. Nimanui nu-i daduse prin cap sa opreasca circulatia, asa ca masinile incurcau locul, iar locul napadit de oameni incurca peste masura masinile.

Apoi se pierdu primul copil. In geaca lui galbena cu fermoar, mic de abia ajunge pana la genunchii trecatorilor, se uita speriat cum mana mamei se pierdea undeva in fata, in timp ce el era tras, impins, strivit de niste funduri si picioare care i se pareau sufocante, amenintatoare, necrutatoare. Nici macar nu intelegea de ce se afla acolo. Mama zicea ceva de un brad, dar el n-a vazut nimic, decat foarte multa lume. Si acum mama nu mai era de gasit. Nestiind ce sa faca, incepu sa planga, sperand sa-l auda mama. Sau Mos Craciun, care sigur era prin zona. Sau macar ingerasul.

La mine acasa, unde stateam ca o duamna pe canapea cu ochii cat cepele la multimea bezmetica din piata, curentul s-a oprit prima oara vineri. Probabil pentru ca se faceau ceva teste cu bradul. Apoi sambata, cateva ore. Apoi ieri, vreo opt ore! Deja atata baga-scoate toate alea din priza ma enerveaza. Si ma enerveaza si bradul. Si multimea. Si reclama. Si Videanu. Si luminile urate de pe Magheru.

Se facea ca locuiam in capitala Romaniei, oras de doua milioane de locuitori bezmetici, care se inghesuiau ca oile sa vada un brad de fier ridicat de o banca cu brandu’ roz.