Bankruptcies, mortgages, incorporations, liens

Orrstown Financial Services Inc., the Shippensburg-based parent of Orrstown Bank, today reported fourth-quarter net income of $3 million, a 2.1-percent increase from the year-ago quarter.

Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp Inc., parent company of Commerce Bank/Harrisburg reported earnings of $2.5 million for the fourth quarter.

Both political parties are pushing for quick tax-stimulus program. Should people who do not pay income tax be included in any rebate plan? Why or why not?

New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., based in Bedford County, has purchased Harrisburg-based Stabler Companies Inc., a construction-materials and contracting business.

Midstate business leaders vowed to keep a steady course this morning as global stock indexes dropped again and Wall Street struggled through volatile trading amid recession concerns.

Codorus Valley Bancorp Inc. on Jan. 17 reported fourth-quarter earnings of $1.3 million, an increase of 18 percent over the same period of 2006.

A group of financial consultants who specialize in helping athletes have moved to Susquehanna Bank from Sterling Financial Corp.

The PNC Financial Services Group Inc. reported net income of $178 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, down from $376 million in the same period of 2006.

The battle lines are starting to be drawn over Gov. Ed Rendell's budget proposals, which will be presented next month to our legislators in Harrisburg.

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:

Should the federal government eliminate income taxes in favor of a national sales tax? Why or why not?

YES — 71 percent

NO — 29 percent

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation's largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, recognized 195 companies in their annual list of "Best Places to Work for GLBT Equality."

The banking industry and a Pennsylvania credit union continued their fight in federal court Jan. 4 over credit union charters, according to a report on the American Banker Web site (www.americanbanker.com).

In the financial world this new year, the noisemakers were subdued.

If you were hoping 2008 would bring a rebound for the U.S. dollar, you might have to wait.