Centex Offers Industry-Leading Energy Efficiency Package in St. Louis Area

Centex Energy Advantage homes up to 40% more efficient than typical 10-year-old home

CHESTERFIELD, Mo., March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Centex Corporation today announced that construction is under way on Centex Energy Advantage homes across the St. Louis area. Collectively, Centex Energy Advantage homes now in progress are projected to avoid thousands of tons of carbon emissions over time, preventing more than 26 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in just the first year of occupancy.

Centex Energy Advantage is now available in all to-be-built homes ordered from Centex in 16 neighborhoods around the St. Louis metropolitan area. The area's first Centex Energy Advantage home, located in the Providence neighborhood near Herculaneum, Mo., is scheduled for delivery in May. Please visit any Centex neighborhood sales office for more information or see centex.com/energyadvantage.asp for details and centex.com/stlouis/ for details about homes and prices.(1)

"With these homes, you can experience measurable energy efficiency every day for the life of your home," says Mike VanPamel, division president for Centex Homes in St. Louis. "Our customers are usually surprised to learn that these features are standard in every Centex home, while other builders treat many of these components as upgrades."

Centex Energy Advantage homes are up to 22 percent more efficient than comparable new homes built to the most widely used energy efficiency code (the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code), according to a study commissioned with the NAHB Research Center. When compared to a typical 10-year-old home (as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Program), the Centex Energy Advantage homes in the study were shown to be up to 40 percent more energy efficient.(2)

According to the NAHB Research Center, each Centex Energy Advantage home avoids 1.78 fewer metric tons of carbon dioxide per year than a comparable new home. That's roughly the same as the greenhouse gas emissions from the family automobile over four months or the CO2 emissions from about 183 gallons of gasoline consumed.(3)

Features of the Centex Energy Advantage standard package in the St. Louis area include: (4)

• Energy monitor: homeowners who use energy monitors to actively manage their consumption of electricity can reduce their electricity use by 4-15 percent; (5) Centex is the first national homebuilder to announce the installation of an energy monitor in every home it builds
• Whirlpool brand ENERGY STAR(R) qualified appliances
• Lennox high-efficiency HVAC system(6)
• Programmable thermostat(s)
• Low-emissivity windows
• R-49 insulation in the attic (with radiant-barrier roof decking available as an optional upgrade)
• Compact fluorescent lights in high-traffic areas
• Information for maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing the impact of home operation on the environment

About Centex

Dallas-based Centex (NYSE: CTX), founded in 1950, is one of the nation's leading home building companies. Its leading brands include Centex Homes, Fox & Jacobs Homes and CityHomes. In addition to its home building operations, Centex also offers mortgage and title services. Centex has ranked among the top three builders on FORTUNE magazine's list of "America's Most Admired Companies" for 10 straight years and is a leader in quality and customer satisfaction.

Editors' notes:

1. Homes, prices, features and availability are subject to change. Inventory homes are subject to prior sale.
2. This study evaluated the energy efficiency gains attributable to the Centex Energy Advantage features in a variety of single-family floor plans typical of the Centex product line in the climate zones where the Company currently operates. Not all floor plans, building materials or construction techniques were evaluated in the study. Efficiency gains will vary for other plan types, building materials, construction techniques and change of climate zone.
3. Calculations are based on NAHB Research Center estimated efficiency of 1.78 metric tons of CO2 per home equipped with Centex Energy Advantage features, as determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator" (see www.epa.gov).
4. The Centex Energy Advantage will be supplemented or otherwise adjusted as required by state and local codes. In several markets, Centex is currently building homes with components that exceed the combined efficiencies provided by the Centex Energy Advantage.
5. Based upon published studies reviewed by the NAHB Research Center.
6. 14-SEER air conditioning or 90-percent AFUE furnace, depending upon climate zone. SEER is "seasonal energy efficiency ratio," a measure of seasonal or annual efficiency of a central air conditioner or air-conditioning heat pump that is the average BTUs of cooling delivered for every watt-hour of electricity used by the heat pump over a cooling season. AFUE is "annual fuel utilization efficiency," a measure of average combustion efficiency in a furnace or heating unit.

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Boosting Business Confidence

The key to getting British business back on track

LONDON, Mar. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Britain's executives are being urged to honour the people who make the most crucial contribution to their businesses: their staff. Workers in thousands of firms all over the UK are currently giving their all to support companies through the recession. By acknowledging their efforts, bosses can create an upswing in staff confidence that will be passed on in turn to customers, sending them a powerful message that the business is strong, able to deliver and here to stay.

In spite of the negative headlines on employment, a surprising seven in ten firms say the spirit of their staff has not been dampened by the current economic climate, according to recent research that polled 1200 business leaders and entrepreneurs at The National Business Awards.

The research shows that the majority of firms believe that the quality of the nation's workforce is the reason why UK plc will survive the recession. With that in mind, bosses are being encouraged to acknowledge the contribution of their employees by entering the 2009 National Business Awards Regional Programme, sponsored by Orange.

In a period of economic uncertainty, it is vital that businesses do all they can to reinstate consumer and staff confidence. While winning an award or reaching the finals is highly prestigious, just entering can be enough to inspire those around you.

Mike Faulkner, Group Director, The National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange said: "In the current economic climate there has never been such a heightened need to instil confidence in consumers. There is no better way for a business to send a positive message to its customers than gaining recognition in The National Business Awards. We expect 2009 to be a bumper year for entries and look forward to a robust and hard fought contest across the UK."

Paul Tollet, Vice President of Orange Business, UK added: "Orange is proud to be sponsoring The National Business Awards for an eighth consecutive year and recognising the resilience and adaptability of British business. In spite of this difficult economic climate, those organisations that are truly exceptional will buck the market trends and remain successful."

In order to make entering The Awards as straight forward as possible, new for 2009, is the ability to complete the entries entirely digitally at www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/regionals. The Regional Awards programme is now open for registrations and the closing date for submission of entry forms is Tuesday 7th April 2009.

Made up of nine categories, shortlisted finalists will be announced on 6th May 2009, before preparing to make their presentations in person before an independent, expert judging panel in June. Winners will be unveiled at glittering gala award dinners throughout July. Scotland and regional winners will then advance to The National Business Awards finals competing with public and private organisations from all over the country culminating in The National Business Awards gala dinner in November.

To obtain further information or to enter the 2009 programme visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk, telephone 020 7234 8753 or email nbapressoffice@ubm.com

*Photography is available upon request

    For further information please contact:

    The National Business Awards
    Henriette Svensen, PR Manager
    Telephone: 020 7234 8753/0750 091 7628
    Email: henriette.svensen@ubm.com
    Visit: www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk

Editors Notes:

THE NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS - REGIONAL PROGRAMME 2009

The 1200 business leaders polled at The National Business Awards also concluded that:

• Businesses believe that the most important thing organisations need to do to make UK Plc more successful long term is:
  • 51% - Invest In Skills and Training
  • 34% - Support innovation
  • 8% - Encourage more relaxed governance
  • 7% - Invest in greener business practices

• Asked how well prepared they thought the UK economy is to weather the storm compared to other world economies, businesses said:
  • 30% - Better
  • 32% - The same
  • 37% - Less

• Businesses think the best attribute that the UK can offer successful business is:
  • 51% - Great talent pool from which to recruit
  • 21% - Its reputation as a world superpower in business
  • 28% - Its geography and language

The National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange, has considerable success in embedding its reputation for managing and delivering a robust and rigorous process delivering the United Kingdom's most respected business recognition platform, with its particular emphasis on success, innovation and ethical business.

The 2009 Awards categories now open for entries are:

• The Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award
• The Health Work Well-being Award for Small Business
• The 3i Growth Strategy of the Year Award
• The Business Innovation of the Year Award
• The Badenoch & Clark Business of the Year Award
• The Customer Focus Award
• The Employer of the Year Award
• The Entrepreneur of the Year Award
• The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award

About United Business Media

The National Business Awards is owned by United Business Media the leading global business media company. We inform markets and bring the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print, and with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 5,000 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to www.unitedbusinessmedia.com.

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Brookdale Amends and Extends Corporate Line of Credit

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE: BKD) announced today that the Company and its lenders have entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The amended credit agreement consists of a $230 million revolving loan facility and matures in August 2010. Additionally, the Company announced that it has recently closed on separate unsecured letter of credit facilities of up to $48.5 million in the aggregate. The letter of credit facilities mature in November 2011.

Bill Sheriff, Brookdale's CEO, commented, "We are very happy to have successfully completed these transactions. Accomplishing these financings in very challenging capital markets is a real testament to the fundamentals that underpin our core senior living business. With the transactions announced today, we have now extended all of our corporate-level financings that were due this year. In addition, we recently extended $88 million in mortgage debt initially due in 2009 by two years. We also expect to exercise our contractual extension options on an additional $131 million of mortgage debt due in 2009 when the options become exercisable in the second quarter. After these actions, we will have virtually no mortgage debt maturities until 2011 and believe that Brookdale will be well-positioned from a financial perspective."

About Brookdale

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is a leading owner and operator of senior living communities throughout the United States. The Company is committed to providing an exceptional living experience through properties that are designed, purpose-built and operated to provide the highest-quality service, care and living accommodations for residents. Currently the Company owns and operates independent living, assisted living, and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers, with 548 communities in 35 states and the ability to serve approximately 52,000 residents.

For more information regarding Brookdale and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.brookdaleliving.com.

Safe Harbor

Certain items in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and include all statements that are not historical statements of fact and those regarding our intent, belief or expectations, including, but not limited to, statements relating to our expectation that we will be able to extend existing debt prior to its maturity. Words such as "expect(s)" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk that we may not be able to satisfy the conditions precedent to exercising the extension options associated with certain of our debt agreements and other risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. We expressly disclaim any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

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Thomas A. McCullough, Chief Operating Officer, to Retire After More Than Twenty Years With DST Systems, Inc.

DST Systems, Inc. (DST) Announces Organizational Changes

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Thomas A. McCullough, chief operating officer of DST Systems, Inc. (NYSE: DST), has announced his plans to retire as of December 31, 2009. For more than 21 years, Mr. McCullough has been an integral part of DST and a recognized leader in the Financial Services Industry. He has represented DST well and has built a strong management team that will continue to provide the high level of service that distinguishes DST in the marketplace. Mr. McCullough will continue to serve on the boards of DST and Boston Financial Data Services (Boston Financial).

Stephen C. Hooley, president and chief executive officer of Boston Financial, a 50 percent owned joint venture of DST and State Street Corporation (State Street), will join DST as president and chief operating officer on July 1, 2009, reporting to Thomas A. McDonnell, chief executive officer of DST. Mr. Hooley will also assume Mr. McCullough's role as chairman of Boston Financial. Mr. Hooley will continue his involvement with International Financial Data Services, a 50 percent owned joint venture of DST and State Street located in Canada, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, and Ireland. Mr. Hooley has served as president and chief executive officer of Boston Financial for the past five years. Prior to joining Boston Financial, Mr. Hooley was a senior vice president of State Street. During his tenure at State Street, Mr. Hooley held senior roles in Institutional Investor Servicing and information technology. He also managed the integration of the Deutsche Bank Global Security Services business.

Terry L. Metzger, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Boston Financial, will succeed Mr. Hooley as president and chief executive officer of Boston Financial, effective July 1, 2009. Mr. Metzger has served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Boston Financial for five years. Prior to that, he spent more than 24 years at DST where his responsibilities included managing several mutual fund customer relationships.

The information and comments in this press release may include forward-looking statements respecting DST and its businesses. Such information and comments are based on DST's views as of today, and actual actions or results could differ. There could be a number of factors, risks, uncertainties or contingencies that could affect future actions or results, including but not limited to those set forth in DST's periodic reports (Form 10-K or 10-Q) filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such factors should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking statements. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements in this press release to reflect future events.

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Wilshire Enterprises, Inc. Responds to Another Letter From Full Value Partners L.P.

NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wilshire Enterprises, Inc. ("Wilshire" or the "Company") (Amex: WOC) today sent the following letter to Full Value Partners L.P., a private hedge fund operated by Phillip Goldstein, and his umbrella organization, Bulldog Investors, in response to Full Value's letter to the Company dated February 23, 2009:

February 25, 2009

Full Value Partners L.P.

Park 80 West, Plaza Two, and Suite 750

Saddle Brook, NJ 07663

Dear Sirs:

We are in receipt of your letter of February 23, 2009. We must challenge your assertion that you are prepared to commence a so-called offer for all outstanding Wilshire shares, as it appears to us that your true purpose and intention is to artificially drive up the price of the Company's stock and garner votes in the midst of the ongoing proxy contest.

Further, we question whether you even have the ability to commence your purported tender offer, as you have not provided the Company or the market with details regarding whether you have the necessary financing. Again, it appears to us that you are merely acting in your own self-interest by misleading our stockholders in a desperate attempt to gain support for your inexperienced nominees and your proposal to liquidate the company in this depressed market at fire sale prices.

If you are prepared to commence a tender offer, we encourage you to do so. If and when a tender offer is commenced specifying all of its terms and conditions, the Board of Directors of Wilshire will consider it and its implications in the context of assessing the best interests of Wilshire and all of its stockholders.

Sincerely,

Sherry Wilzig Izak

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Statements

Any non-historical statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to several risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, general economic conditions, industry specific conditions and the possibility that Wilshire may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors, as well as other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Wilshire's 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its definitive proxy materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company Contact: Sherry Wilzig Izak, Chairman, 201-420-2796

Agency Contact: Neil Berkman, Berkman Associates, 310-826-5051

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Comerica Bank Announces Four New Banking Centers in 2009 in Phoenix Metro Area

Office in Surprise is first of new locations in Maricopa County

PHOENIX, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Comerica Bank announced today it is opening four new banking centers in the Phoenix metropolitan area in 2009, continuing an expansion program begun in 2005.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010807/CMALOGO)

The opening late last month of a new banking center in Surprise, at 14211 W. Bell Rd., marked the start of the latest round of new office openings for Comerica in Arizona. New banking centers are under construction and scheduled to open in the second half of 2009 in Chandler, Goodyear and the Biltmore area of north Phoenix, said Meredith Russell, president of Comerica Bank operations in Arizona. The bank also opened four banking centers in 2008 - in Avondale, Happy Valley, Mesa and Tempe.

The manager of the new banking center in Surprise is Gary Shaffer, who also lives in Surprise. The assistant manager is Kevin Lira. They can be reached at 623-556-4509.

Dallas-based Comerica Bank, one of the 20th largest banks in the U.S., expects to have a total of 16 banking centers in Maricopa County by the end of 2009, said Russell. The bank had one office in the county in mid-2005.

"We continue to have confidence in the long-range outlook for the Phoenix-area economy," said Russell. "Comerica is a healthy bank with a strong capital position, able to help build futures for communities, families and employers of all sizes. Our deposits are insured, and we have money to lend."

"These new locations continue our strategy to improve access to Comerica's wide range of financial services in the Valley," said Russell.

Comerica, whose predecessor bank was founded in Michigan in 1849, offers complete checking and FDIC-insured deposit accounts, financial planning expertise, on-the-job banking, cash management and other business services, and convenient Saturday hours at its new Arizona locations. The bank and its managers have built community ties with local chambers of commerce, the Arizona Small Business Association, Junior Achievement, Fresh Start, Arizona State University and the Phoenix Coyotes.

About Comerica Bank

Comerica Bank is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a Dallas-based company strategically aligned into three major business segments: the Business Bank, the Retail Bank, and Wealth & Institutional Management. Comerica focuses on relationships and helping businesses and people be successful. In addition to Arizona and California, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Florida, Michigan and Texas, with select businesses operating in several other states, Canada, China and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $67.5 billion at Dec. 31, 2008. To receive e-mail alerts of breaking Comerica news, go to www.comerica.com/newsalerts. (Or, for more information, go to www.comerica.com.)

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Babson College Traders Win International Competition at University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management

TORONTO, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A team of MBA students from the Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College defeated thirty-five other teams of business and finance students from around the world to win the sixth annual Rotman International Trading Competition. The competition was held in the Rotman Financial Research and Trading Lab at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management from February 19 to 21.

A team from Dublin City University placed second while a team of MBAs from the Smeal College of Business at Pennsylvania State University came third. The team representing the Rotman School finished seventh.

Traders competed in four simulated trading cases, which closely mimic different aspects of real-world markets, including the BP Commodities Trading case. For this year's event, a new credit-risk trading case was developed, which exposed students to the dynamic world of fixed-income trading.

"The competition among the top teams was intense over the numerous rounds of trading. After each case, a different team was leading the pack," says Kevin Mak, manager of the Rotman Financial Research and Trading Lab and one of the competition's organizers

"We want to thank all of the participating teams and their faculty advisors for traveling to Toronto and especially thank our volunteers, staff and faculty at the Rotman School, as well as our sponsors for their contributions to the success of the event. We look forward to hosting everyone again in 2010," adds Professor Tom McCurdy, Founding Academic Director of the Rotman Financial Research & Trading Lab.

Sponsors of the 2009 Rotman International were BP Canada Energy Company, CIBC, Interactive Brokers, Toronto CFA Society, and Manulife Financial.

Complete details regarding the competition are available online at www.rotman.utoronto.ca/finance/lab/competitions-itc09-home.asp.

The Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto is redesigning business education for the 21st century with a curriculum based on Integrative Thinking. Located in the world's most diverse city, the Rotman School fosters a new way to think that enables the design of creative business solutions. The School is currently raising $200 million to ensure Canada has the world-class business school it deserves. For more information, visit www.rotman.utoronto.ca.

Follow Rotman on Twitter - twitter.com/rotmanschool

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