29 Jul 2014

4 Smart Investments Beyond the Stock Market

By Ginny Grimsley
With Speculations About an Impending Downturn,
Investment Entrepreneurs Suggest Options

As major stock market indexes continue to climb, so too are concerns on the "fear market" - VIX, the CBOE S&P 500 Options Volatility Index, says entrepreneur Dean Anastos.

"Advances in the market have been relatively thin in volume, and the declines have been heavier; in general, there seems to be too much complacency among investors, and there are hints here and there that the market is not as bullish as many have supposed," says Anastos, who specializes in real estate, computer programming and trading data communications equipment.

"Now may be a really good time to look elsewhere for smart investments," says his business partner Ricky Brava.

Anastos and Brava review some of those options.

·  Real estate is still growing. No area was hit harder by the recession than real estate. Since then, however, the getting has been good for prospective buyers looking for a profit, yet many remain gun shy due to the hard lessons of 2008-09. Meanwhile, the housing recovery continues as prices are getting back to where they once were. In many markets, buying is still cheaper than renting, "although this is not true everywhere," Anastos says. "Ultimately, it depends on the area, the loan and how long you may be looking to live on the property - or, if you want to rent a property out, which continues to be very lucrative today."

·  Banks have plenty of distressed debt; consider a deal. (www.apollofinancialgrp.com). "We buy distressed debt bank portfolios that aren't generating cash for the bank and work with the families in the homes to refinance at affordable rates," says Brava, senior partner at Apollo Financial Group, founded by Anastos, who adds, "If we can't work it out with the owner, the property gets a second chance, rather than sitting vacant, when we sell the loans as non-performing first or second lien bank notes."

Conduct a thorough title search of the property to reveal any liens. Check with the county to ascertain what, if any, outstanding property taxes are due. Contact a local real estate agent to get an estimation on the property and its as-is resale value.

·  Keep in mind tax-advantaged investments. Tax-advantaged investments can include real estate partnerships, oil and gas partnerships and suitability, which refers to how appropriate an investment may or may not be to an investor. Two of the most common types of real estate partnerships, for example, are low-income housing and historic rehabilitation. The federal government grants tax credits to those who construct or rehabilitate low-income housing or who invest in the rehabilitation or preservation of historic structures.

·  Pay attention to possible changes to Roth IRAs - still a good option, so far. This is still a good investment option for retirement, even though significant changes have been proposed by the White House. Your allotted money goes into a Roth after it's already been taxed, but earnings aren't taxed. Unlike traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, Roth owners currently don't have to take annual distributions after turning 70½ ? which means the money has even more years to grow if the owner doesn't need it. And once the Roth owner dies, the beneficiary inherits the money tax-free. President Obama says this isn't what was intended in a Roth and wants to change this advantage, yet his proposal continues to face mass opposition and many think it won't pass.

About Dean Anastos and Ricky Brava

Dean Anastos is the founder of Apollo Financial Group, (www.apollofinancialgrp.com), and Ricky Brava is senior partner. Anastos is an entrepreneur with a background in real estate, computer programming and trading data communications equipment. Brava specializes in education, marketing and new business development, with an expertise in data-driven, long-term strategic planning. Both men have a strong interest in business opportunities that help resolve societal problems.

28 Jul 2014

Governor Quinn's Statement on the Unpatriotic Corporate Tax Inversion Loophole

By Dave Blanchette

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement in favor of legislation supported by President Barack Obama to close the corporate tax inversion loophole:

"Big corporations should not be allowed to exploit the tax code to avoid paying their fair share. Members of the House and Senate supporting closure of this loophole are right - corporations should not be allowed to shirk their own responsibilities while passing on the burden to everyday taxpayers.

"These corporations benefit from America's world-class infrastructure, education system, skilled workforce and competitive economy - not to mention U.S. customers. Yet they're looking to renounce their citizenship and shortchange America and the everyday people who helped them grow and thrive.

"I urge Congress to take swift action on the President's proposal to end this abuse and close this unpatriotic loophole. It's the right thing to do."

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25 Jul 2014

West Music Honored With Two National Awards: NAMM Top 100 Dealer and Steinway & Sons Dealer of the Year Award

By Kelly Goerdt

Coralville, IA - July 24, 2014 - West Music Company, with headquarters in Coralville, Iowa has been honored with two national awards, a Top 100 Dealer award by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) as well as the Steinway Dealer of the Year award in June 2014.

Top 100 Dealer

The Top 100 Dealer Awards bring together the best NAMM retail members across the country, recognizing best practices and rewarding the most effective campaigns. The retail music product stores that receive the distinction of being a "Top 100 Dealer" are judged by a panel of industry experts on criteria including:

  • Showing a clear understanding that the success of a retail store is directly related to customer satisfaction.

  • Providing a retail experience worth returning for and recommending others to.

  • Designing a floor plan, merchandising and marketing that encourages repeat sales.

  • Preparing for future success with sound planning, marketing and training initiatives.

  • Using the web and social media in engaging, effective ways

Recognition of Top 100 Dealers as well as the awards ceremony for the "Best Of" Awards took place this past week at the Summer NAMM Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

Steinway Dealer of the Year

West Music received the Steinway Dealer of the Year award in June 2014 at a special awards ceremony in New York, New York. West Music is the exclusive dealer of Steinway, Boston, and Essex pianos in the state of Iowa. The Steinway Dealer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding performance in such areas as Steinway concert-and-artist programs, product knowledge, and customer service. This is West Music's fifth time to receive the "Dealer of the Year" award.

"It is an honor for West Music to receive this award as it is a recognition of all of the hard work our associates put in to supporting a truly excellent family of brands," said Robin Walenta, president of West Music. "The Dealer of the Year award exemplifies our commitment to providing support and developing our customers and the products they are searching for each and every day of the year."

For more information about West Music and their expansive piano services, please visit pianos.westmusic.com.

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization's popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry, while promoting the pleasures and benefits of making music. NAMM's activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 member companies in 87 countries around the world. For more information about NAMM, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

About Steinway and Sons Piano Company

Since 1853, Steinway pianos have been handmade to last for generations. A treasured possession that grows in value over the course of time, Steinway is the choice of 99% of concert artists, and it is, quite simply, the standard by which all other pianos are compared. Details about Steinway & Sons may be obtained by calling (800) 366-1853 or by visiting www.steinway.com.

About West Music Company

Founded in 1941, West Music continues to fulfill its mission of creating musical communities by providing knowledge, products, and services people need to experience the power of making music! West Music specializes in pianos, guitars, drums and percussion, band and orchestra instruments, and print music as well as offers music instruction, repair and music therapy services. West Music has eight retail locations in Iowa and western Illinois including two new locations with their recent merger with Kephart's Music Center. For more information, visit West Music's website at www.westmusic.com or call 1-800-373-2000.

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25 Jul 2014

Five Years Since Last Minimum Wage Increase, Braley Fights to Give 300,000 Iowans a Raise

By Braley for Iowa
Braley fighting to raise minimum wage to $10.10/hr & restore its purchasing power

Des Moines, IA - To mark the five-year anniversary of the last federal minimum wage increase, Bruce Braley today reiterated his call for an overdue increase to the minimum wage that would provide 300,000 Iowans with a raise.

While obstructionists in Washington and Iowa and oil billionaires like the Koch brothers are actively working to oppose a minimum wage increase, Braley has been a leader in fighting to increase the minimum wage to $10.10/hr to help lift thousands of Iowa working families out of poverty and strengthen Iowa's economy.  

"No one in Iowa should work a full-time job and live near or below the poverty line," Bruce Braley said. "But five years after the last minimum wage increase, the minimum wage buys less and less for Iowa's workers. I refuse to allow partisan obstructionism in Washington and Iowa to keep our families at poverty-level wages while we provide tax breaks to oil billionaires.  Instead, I am committed to raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, strengthening our economy, and providing a pay raise to 300,000 Iowans because I believe all Iowans deserve a fair wage for a hard day's work."

Braley is a sponsor of the Fair Minimum Wage Act that would increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10/hr and then tie future increases to inflation. According to a Des Moines Register poll, 65% of Iowans believe the minimum wage should be increased.

Since reaching its peak in 1968 at $10.69 an hour (in 2013 dollars), the minimum wage's purchasing power has steadily declined and left working Iowans struggling to support their families. Today's federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr means an Iowan working 40 hours a week would make just $15,000 a year.  

A report from Progress Iowa earlier this year found that increasing the minimum wage to $10.10/hr would infuse more than $270 million into Iowa's economy.


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25 Jul 2014

White House Rural Council Announces $10 Billion Private Investment Fund to Finance Job-Creating Infrastructure Projects in Rural America

By USDA Office of Communications
CoBank Pledges Initial Multi-billion Commitment for New Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund; More Private Investments in Fund Expected

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2014 - The White House Rural Council today announced the creation of the new U.S. Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund through which private entities can invest in job-creating rural infrastructure projects across the country. An initial $10 billion has been committed to the fund with greater investment expected to follow. Target investments will include hospitals, schools and other educational facilities, rural water and wastewater systems, energy projects, broadband expansion, local and regional food systems, and other rural infrastructure.

CoBank, a national cooperative bank serving rural America and a member of the Farm Credit System, is the fund's anchor investor, committing $10 billion to get the fund off the ground. Capitol Peak Asset Management will manage the new fund and work to recruit more investors to add to CoBank's initial commitment. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other federal agencies will help to identify rural projects that could be potential beneficiaries of financing through this new fund and other private sources.

The creation of the new fund was announced during the first-ever White House Rural Opportunity Investment Conference in Washington, D.C. The conference brought together business and financial community leaders, Administration and other government officials, rural development experts, and others to promote investment opportunities in America's rural communities.

"This fund represents a new approach to our support for job-creating projects across the country," said Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary and Chair of the White House Rural Council. "USDA and other agencies invest in infrastructure through a variety of federal initiatives, but our resources are finite and there are backlogs of projects in many parts of the economy. We know where investment opportunities exist, so we are in a position to help promote these projects among investors. With new efforts like this we can move beyond existing programs and help encourage substantial private investment in projects that grow the economy and improve quality of life for millions of Americans."

The Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund will allow America's rural economy to continue its forward momentum by enhancing access to capital for rural infrastructure projects and speeding up the process of rural infrastructure improvements. The fund is immediately open for business and more investors can now add to the initial $10 billion in available capital.

The fund will allow a wide variety of new participants, including pension funds, endowments, foundations, and other institutional investors that have not traditionally had access to these markets to invest in rural development. In some cases, projects may be funded entirely through private sector dollars. In others, private dollars may be leveraged with and extend critical government loan and grant programs.

The new Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund and the White House Rural Council's Rural Opportunity Investment Conference are part of the Obama Administration's ongoing efforts to spark additional private investment in rural communities through private sector sources or through public private partnerships like the new fund announced today. For example, USDA announced the $150 million Rural Business Investment Company earlier this year, which allows the Department to help facilitate private equity investments in innovative agriculture-related businesses. Vilsack said today that more investment vehicles such as this are in the pipeline, and other efforts to continue promoting private investment in rural areas will be announced later this year.

"Meeting the world's needs for food and farm products, as well as the growing demand in areas like renewable energy, local food, and the bioeconomy will require continued investment in rural places," Vilsack said. "Many major investors in urban centers aren't always aware of the significant investment opportunities in rural communities. If the White House Rural Council can help facilitate even a small portion of the enormous amount of available investment capital into rural places, we can grow key industries and create jobs in rural and urban areas from coast to coast."

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25 Jul 2014

Old HoJo Site Moving Closer to Re-Development

By T. Brecht

Downtown's eyesore days are numbered: The former Howard Johnson will be demolished.

A wrecking ball will soon swing into the dilapidated walls of one of downtown Davenport's worst eyesores, making way for what the Downtown Davenport Partnership anticipates will go from long-time nuisance to "iconic structure".

Several developers are already anxious to pitch their ideas for the soon-to-open prime real estate at downtown's eastern gateway, said Kyle Carter, Executive Director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership. The partnership, which used its resources to purchase the property for $210,000 and turn it over to local non-profit Demolition Davenport, is putting the final touches on a Request for Proposals geared to find the best use possible for the high-visibility parcel.

The empty Howard Johnson hotel on the site has sat empty since 2009, earning it the dubious distinction of being one of downtown's most notorious blighted properties.

While multiple local developers have already expressed early interest, Carter said the RFPs will be distributed nationally, hopefully giving the Partnership a wide range of attractive options when picking a developer.

Downtown Partnership and City staff have a hiearchy of uses they'd like to see.  Number one is corporate office or Class A office space. The second choice is a mixed-use development with some Class A office combined with residential or commercial uses. The third and fourth choices are a business class hotel and market rate residential - either rental or owner occupied.

Carter said the push for office development is driven by a few factors. For one, most of the downtown building stock is older, historic businesses which are often difficult and expensive to convert into modern office use. Secondly, while the massive increase in new downtown market rate apartments has been good for business, office space drives up demand for daytime retail and commercial uses even more.

"For one, much of the downtown office space is historic with narrow column spacing, making it functionally obsolete for certain styles of corporate office design," Carter said. "New construction offers developers  a blank slate;  we have a real opportunity to add more variety to our commercial offerings downtown to suit users that are seeking more open space."

The key is finding the righta balance of uses downtown, Carter added.

"We'll never be able to compete completely with greenfield office development because of cost. But we think we can find those companies that are the right fit; especially those that need young professionals who want to be in that urban environment."

Bruce Berger, Director of Community Planning & Economic Development in Davenport, said having the Partnership and a non-profit like demolition Davenport help assemble the property and prepare it is incredibly helpful. It takes out the fear of the unknown, especially unknown expenses, that can make developers uneasy and risk-averse, he said. Without spending any City of Davenport taxpayer money, the two entities have:

  • Completed environmental risk assessment reports
  • Solicited bids for demolition (the cost of which will borne by the developers)
  • Below-ground environmental and flood reports
  • Debris removal
  • Environmental mitigation (which will be underway this September)

The proposals that are received will be reviewed by the Downtown Davenport Partnership taskforce and ultimately voted upon by the Partnership's Board of Directors. The following criteria will be used to determine the best developer:

  • Experience, Qualifications and Expertise
  • Preferred Use Factors
  • Proposed Costs/Thoughtfulness of Bidg
  • Financial and Environmental Sustainability
  • Design Quality, Scale & Aesthetics (meets or exceeds City downtown design guidelines)
  • Thoroughness, and Responsiveness of Proposal

Carter expects the RFP to be issued this week with proposals due back Aug. 25. Interviews with finalists and the selection by the board would occur by the end of September.

25 Jul 2014

Iowa Announces Statewide Launch of Get Skills to Work Coalition

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

The Institute hosts breakfast roundtable and job fair for veterans in manufacturing

(DAVENPORT) -  Today, Get Skills to Work, in partnership with The Manufacturing Institute, Home Base Iowa, the Alcoa Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, will host Governor Terry Branstad and welcome Iowa as the third state to join the Get Skills to Work coalition. Get Skills to Work helps veterans get job-specific training or transition their military experience into rewarding careers in manufacturing.

"I am proud to support efforts such as Home Base Iowa, Get Skills to Work and Hiring Our Heroes. Each offers our veterans and transitioning service members every opportunity to successfully transition from military careers into the private sector," said Governor Terry Branstad. "These efforts are opportunities to honor those who served and to strengthen our economy with a workforce that exemplifies hard work, teamwork, and discipline."

The event begins with a breakfast roundtable for employers with local manufacturers and partners, including the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Alcoa Davenport Works, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, and Hiring our Heroes.

Following the roundtable, Governor Branstad will announce Iowa as the third state to join the Get Skills to Work coalition. By joining the coalition, Iowa continues to demonstrate its commitment to helping veterans transition from military to civilian life. In addition, the event will include a free workshop for veterans focused on resume writing, interview skills, and job search techniques for all military members and their spouses.

"We are excited to expand our Get Skills to Work program with Iowa's statewide launch of the coalition. This program will help local manufacturers connect with skilled veterans ready to enter the civilian workforce," Institute President Jennifer McNelly said.

The Get Skills to Work coalition includes more than 500 manufacturers, and it focuses on training veterans in manufacturing and helping them translate existing military skills into manufacturing careers. The Institute along with GE, Aloca, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin, founded Get Skills to Work in October 2012, and together, the initiative has set a goal to reach 100,000 veterans by 2015. This program aims to train military veterans for advanced manufacturing careers, bolster the talent pipeline, and enhance American competitiveness.

The event will take place in the RiverCenter at 136 E. 3rd Street in Davenport, IA, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Speakers at the event include :                      

Mike Ralston, President, Iowa Association of Business Industry

Rob Woodall, Manufacturing Director, Alcoa Davenport Works

Dr. Don Doucette, Chancellor, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

Derek Hill, Brigadier General, Iowa ANG

Rob Schroder, Vice President, International Strategy and Operations, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Brent Weil, Senior Vice President, The Manufacturing Institute.

For more information, please visit www.getskillstowork.org

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About The Manufacturing Institute 

The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a non-partisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation's manufacturers. The Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification and development of world-class manufacturing talent. For more information, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

 

 

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23 Jul 2014

Aerial Advertising for Businesses

By Ginny Grimsley

3 Ways to Get Your Audience Engaged with Your Brand This Summer
Marketing Strategies Should Adapt to Fit the Season, Says Skywriting CEO

It's summertime and whether or not people have vacation time to spare, they still behave accordingly, says advertising entrepreneur Patrick Walsh.

"Small business owners, non-profit organizers and anyone else trying to market a brand should take advantage of what makes this season special," says Walsh, CEO of AirSign Aerial Advertising, (www.airsign.com), a company that has re-imagined skywriting.

"While workers in the United States take far less vacation time than in most other developed economies, we still like to hit the beach and anywhere else with water, visit the park and grill outside with the family," he says. "With the kids out of school, many choose to take their days off during this time of year."

So, how can entrepreneurs tailor their message for a summertime audience? Walsh offers advice from past experience.

•  Don't be afraid to think big and beyond your handheld device. Earlier this year, during the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, Walsh and his crew of pilots teamed up with artist Ben Davis for a public display of art dubbed "Pi in the Sky," to commemorate National Pi Day on 3/14. Pi is that infinite, enigmatic mathematical equation beginning with 3.14. Walsh's team of five synchronized aircraft spent more than 90 minutes printing out hundreds of numbers, each as tall as a skyscraper, in the pi sequence in a "painting" that covered 100 miles of airspace. Walsh and Davis garnered national exposure in newspapers, on TV and on the radio.

"This was the perfect cerebral display for the young, hip and entrepreneurial crowd attending SXSW," Walsh says. "Research potentially important summer dates and the cultural background of your target demographic."

•  Now, think within your little device - be interactive! With the help of Walsh's social media team, #PiInTheSky was created and shared on Twitter days before "Pi in the Sky" display. Walsh's planes spelled it out before beginning the Pi sequence, which allowed the social media team to control the message. People quickly figured out that using #PiInTheSky in their tweets and Instagram photo posts allowed them to share the experience with thousands of other people. Between the interactive campaign and the city-sized performance in the sky, AirSign's #PiInTheSky trended on Twitter at No. 2 nationwide on the day of the display and No. 1 in Austin for 24 hours, which captured the attention of the national media.

"Of course, this was pretty spectacular and took all kinds of planning, but we pulled it off!" Walsh says. "You don't have to go as big as we did to pull off something spectacular for your marketing efforts - but it does have to be interesting."

•  A step farther in knowing your audience: know who they are now. Grocery stores know how to move product. One strategy is to offer, during lunch and dinner hours, free samples of products they're trying to sell. If your audience is less predictable than the day's natural hunger cycles, then consider tracking the mood of your clientele via social media. If a major event is happening within your market, such as a summer concert series, position your brand to be part of the event.

"What's it like to be the people you're trying to attract? That's the question entrepreneurs constantly need to ask themselves," Walsh says. "Novel marketing strategies - or even those that are fairly straightforward - have the power to bypass the bargaining psychology of typical advertising by going straight to an audience's imagination."

About Patrick Walsh

Patrick Walsh is the CEO of AirSign Inc., (www.airsign.com), which, through the use of giant full-color airplane and helicopter banners, skywriting, digital night signs and blimps, produces show-stopping campaigns. The company recently received global recognition for its artistic skywriting display of several hundred pi characters over the 2014 South by Southwest festival. Walsh is a veteran entrepreneur.

21 Jul 2014

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Help Ensure Fair Hiring Practices Across Illinois

By Andrew Mason

New Law Prevents Criminal Background Checks Until After an Applicant is Deemed Qualified for a Job

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to help ex-offenders secure employment in the private sector and become productive members of society. The new law prevents criminal background checks until after an applicant is deemed qualified for a job. Today's action follows an administrative order the Governor issued last year to ensure the same consideration for those seeking state employment. Today's bill signing is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure all Illinois' workers are treated fairly.

"Everyone deserves a second chance when it comes to getting a job," Governor Quinn said. "This law will help ensure that people across Illinois get a fair shot to reach their full potential through their skills and qualifications, rather than past history. It will also help reduce recidivism, fight poverty and prevent violence in our communities by putting more people back to work."

House Bill 5701, sponsored by State Representative Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan) and State Senator Antonio Muñoz (D-Chicago), prohibits a private employer or employment agency from inquiring about or considering an applicant's criminal history until the applicant has been determined to be qualified for the job and selected for an interview. The new law does not apply to certain jobs where employers must exclude applicants with criminal histories. The legislation, which was recommended by the bipartisan Illinois Employment Restrictions Task Force, is effective January 1, 2015.

"By allowing applicants to undergo the interview process without being judged as unfit for employment because of their background, we will help individuals get back to work, pursue a higher education and become the responsible residents that our state thrives on," Representative Mayfield said. "I believe this legislation will improve the lives of many residents and give them the opportunities they were previously unable to strive for."

"Everyone should have the opportunity to be considered for employment," Senator Munoz said. "This legislation protects people with criminal records from discrimination, gives deserving people a second chance and allows them to be evaluated based on their suitability for a position."

Governor Quinn has supported and developed programs and signed legislation to give people of all ages a second chance in life. Governor Quinn recently signed legislation to automatically clear arrest records for less serious, non-violent juvenile cases. He also signed a law that broadens the list of sealable felonies and adds criteria for courts to use when deciding whether to grant an expungement.

Last year the Governor signed legislation to create a "second chance probation" option for non-violent offenders that allows a conviction to be cleared from a defendant's record upon successful completion of at least a two-year period of probation. He also signed bills to streamline the criminal record expungement and sealing process, and to give the courts discretion or jurisdiction to seal non-conviction records in felony arrests and charges.

In 2013, Governor Quinn issued an administrative order to "ban the box," prohibiting state agencies from asking job applicants about their criminal history before beginning to evaluate the individual's knowledge, skills and abilities. In 2010, he launched the Summit of Hope events to provide assistance to ex-offenders to help them reintegrate safely into society. Since 2010 nearly 80 events have been held across the state serving over 16,000 ex-offenders.

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17 Jul 2014

FHLB Des Moines Releases 2014 Annual Stress Test Disclosure

By Megan Field
Results of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Annual Stress
Test Under the Severely Adverse Scenario

DES MOINES, Iowa, July 17, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Federal Home
Loan Bank of Des Moines today made available the results of its first
annual stress test as required by its regulator, the Federal Housing
Finance Agency. Results can be found on the Bank's investor relations
page:

www.fhlbdm.com/about-fhlb-des-moines/investor-relations/

The stress test estimates the Bank's capital levels under hypothetical
severely adverse economic conditions.

These estimates should not be regarded as forecasts of actual financial
results. These results are modeled projections and may not reflect the
actual impact to the Bank if such a hypothetical scenario were to
occur.

Questions regarding the results of the stress test should be directed
to Megan Feld by calling 515.281.1159.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is a wholesale cooperative
bank that provides low-cost short and long-term funding and community
lending to more than 1,200 members, including commercial banks, saving
institutions, credit unions and insurance companies. The Bank is wholly
owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. The Des Moines
Bank serves Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota
and is one of twelve regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan
Bank System.

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