Masterpiece Solutions , the leader in comprehensive point of sale and business management software for art and antique galleries, artists and other independent retailers, today announced a comprehensive program that offers assistance during this tough economic climate.  The recently released Masterpiece Success Package offers much more than back-end software by offering a suite of products that helps small organizations stay above water during retail slowdown.

“Masterpiece Manager can do two critical things: drastically reduce operating expenses AND significantly expand reach to consumers via Archer Exchange and a personalized website,” said Kevin Warr, CEO of Masterpiece Solutions.  “When every dollar and minute counts, our valuable service package helps galleries and artists stay in business by letting us take over their time intensive back-end work and marketing efforts.”

In one push of a button, Masterpiece Manager effectively cuts out time, money and manpower to achieve measurable results.  On the back end, the savvy software handles inventory management, synchronizing online and in-store supply, data entry and more.  To reach customers more swiftly, Masterpiece Solutions also offers comprehensive web services and listings on Archer Exchange (http://archerexchange.com/), the fastest growing online marketplace for fine art. 

“Over a decade of developing our suite of services has led us to knowing precisely how to contain costs and drive sales,” added Warr.  “It is in recessionary times when business owners have the opportunity to take a hard look at how to maximize their time and outsource with confidence.” 

Utilized by more than 800 independent retailers worldwide, Masterpiece Manager was designed for gallery owners by gallery owners to increase the operating efficiency and simplify processes to give gallery owners and artists the freedom to focus on the art and not the paperwork.  For nearly 15 years, Masterpiece Manager software has integrated point of sale software with inventory and customer relationship management.  

The Masterpiece Success Package includes:

·         Free upgrades forever

·         Unlimited phone and online technical support

·         QuickLink — The system easily synchronizes in-store and website inventory, so galleries will never again lose customers due to a website displaying wrong information

·         Unlimited listings on ArcherExchange — With more than $300 million in inventory on ArcherExchange, it has become one of the most visited art websites.  Current galleries on ArcherExchange have claimed that it has increased their qualified lead generation by as much as 30%. 

To learn more about Masterpiece Solution’s products and services, visit www.masterpiecesolutions.com

Integrated Asset Services, LLC (IAS, www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuation, today released its IAS360™ House Price Index for September 2008. The monthly report, which includes the most current and granular data available in the industry, showed a 2.1% decline in house prices on a national level in September, with an annual decline of 13.3%.  However, the data also shows bright spots at the individual county level with 75 of the 360 counties showing month to month improvement in September.

“Housing prices at the national and MSA levels are still seeing declines, but we’re seeing positive signs at the county level, and even more encouraging signs at the neighborhood level,” said Dave McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “A review of the IAS360 House Price Index county level data, which is an aggregate of the 15,000 neighborhoods we track, provides insights into pockets of the country that may be showing signs of improvement.”

The national picture continues to look challenging. At the census region level, results for September show all four U.S. Census regions experiencing declines in house prices, with the South and West experiencing double digit declines annually of -11.2% and -19.0%, respectively. Compared to September of 2007, Western and Midwestern housing prices improved slightly while Northeast and South continued to weaken.

Results for the month of September at the census division level, all nine U.S. Census Divisions posted declines.  West South Central led the way with a decline of 4.5% and New England, South Atlantic, Pacific posting declines of 3.0%, 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively.

The IAS360 House Price Index is a comprehensive housing index tracking monthly change in the median sales price of detached single-family residences across the U.S. The index, based on all arms-length transactions, tracks data of 15,000 “neighborhoods”, which is rolled-up to report on the changes in 360 counties, nine census divisions, four regions, and the nation overall. The IAS360 House Price Index is delivered on a monthly basis.

Leveraging real time data and nationwide resources, IAS’ high-tech and high-touch product lines offer an unmatched level of detail in a rapidly changing housing environment. IAS reports on “neighborhood” level house price trends, residential market climate and collateral valuation. IAS also provides traditional valuation products and full service REO Management and Disposition. 

Geneos Wealth Management, Inc. (Geneos), a Denver-based broker/dealer serving elite financial advisors, today announced major enhancements to its industry-leading technology platform.

The latest version of the Web-based Geneos application—Nexus 2.0—automates many of the tasks associated with an independent financial advisor’s business, including account opening, compliance, and reporting. A fully open architecture platform, Nexus 2.0 enables its users to manage data in multiple formats and applications and allows comprehensive paperless document imaging.

“What makes Nexus 2.0 unique is the innovation in its design and function,” said Dean Rager, Senior Vice President for Geneos. “Our streamlined software development methodology provides for a very rich application that delivers more features and functionality than ever.”

The Web-based system allows reps to access information virtually anywhere, and its paperless data environment provides efficiencies and flexibility in reporting, business approval, and compliance processing. Nexus 2.0 also incorporates direct input from reps—key reporting has been in conjunction with advisors — to create a suite of services that are adaptable to broker needs. “Nexus 2.0 is a rep’s fully customized office—available anywhere,” said Rager.  

By bringing together technologies such as Rich Internet Application (RIA) programming techniques and XML interfaces, Nexus 2.0 is a full-fledged technology platform designed to be nimble and agile in a fast-changing compliance environment. Nexus, which has won several industry awards, including the “Run Smarter Award” from Laserfiche, is able to meet rigorous auditing and regulatory mandates with a transparent solution for tracking and managing data.

In addition, Nexus 2.0 incorporates straight-through processing, which virtually eliminates faxing and cuts printing and mailing costs and audit preparation time. Nexus 2.0 also provides all client data to its clearing firm partners, Pershing and National Financial, in a single easy-to-use interface.   

“The robustness of Nexus 2.0 can only be made possible by developers with years of experience in the Independent Broker/Dealer industry,” said Geneos President and CEO Russ Diachok. “In line with the definition of its own name, Nexus 2.0 can be the core or center of an independent advisor’s technology strategy.”

While more than 70 different reports available in the full version of Nexus 2.0, Geneos allows its representatives the ability to pick and choose the components that best suit their independent practice. “There’s no comparing Nexus 2.0’s data power over any other competing system,” said Rager, “but the system can exist in many different forms. There is no paying for things you don’t need with Nexus 2.0.”

First Western Trust Bank, the West’s premier private bank and trust company, has enhanced its operations in Northern Colorado with the opening of a new office in Fort Collins.

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The new location at 3003 E. Harmony Road, Suite 200, is a full-service office, providing private banking, investment management, personal trust, and wealth planning for high net worth individuals, their families and their businesses.

To recognize the occasion, and to continue its support of the Northern Colorado community, First Western has made donations to a number of local organizations, including the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, Project Self-Sufficiency, Neighbor to Neighbor, and The Fort Collins Symphony.

“We’ve built a solid reputation for offering our Northern Colorado clients the best in sophisticated investment and wealth advisory services,” said Chairman, James Sprout. “With our new facility, I have every expectation we will take client service and financial solutions to even greater heights.”

First Western Trust Bank has established itself as a leader in the wealth management industry in the western United States. In addition to the Fort Collins operation, First Western has offices in downtown Denver, Boulder, Cherry Creek, and DTC│Cherry Hills that specialize in serving the needs of the entrepreneurial spirit of the West.

Socially responsible investment industry leaders will focus considerable attention on the global financial crisis at the 19th annual SRI in the Rockies Conference October 26-28, 2008.

A record 720 participants are expected to converge on The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, in Whistler, British Columbia.  Several of the scheduled conference sessions will feature experts discussing how socially conscious investors can help to reshape the future of the global financial system around the principles of transparency, fairness, good governance, and long-term thinking, including:

·         A CEO Roundtable on Industry Trends;

·         A Banking Sector panel focused on Sustainable Global Finance;

·         A session on Philanthropy and Mission-Related Investing;

·         An expert panel on the Sub-Prime Mortgage Situation;

·         A roundtable discussion with International SRI Industry Leaders;

·         A discussion about how wise management of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues can reduce risk and position companies to excel over the long term; and

·         A Special Session that will focus specifically on the global financial crisis.

“This is a unique opportunity for SRI leaders to strategize on integrating the principles of socially and environmentally responsible investing – such as responsible corporate governance – into the nation’s financial infrastructure moving forward,” said Lisa Woll, Chief Executive Officer of the Social Investment Forum (SIF).

SRI in the Rockies, a collaboration between First Affirmative Financial Network and the Social Investment Forum, is the premier annual conference for the sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) industry in North America.

“The financial crisis has put a spotlight on some of the worst practices on Wall Street, many of which socially conscious investors have worked to remedy over the years,” said George R. Gay, CEO of First Affirmative Financial Network and a Director of the Social Investment Forum.  “We believe that a more socially responsible approach to investing can—and should—play a role in helping to transform the investing world.”

SRI in the Rockies takes place against the backdrop of an industry that continues to expand rapidly.  According to the SIF’s “2007 Trends Report,” nearly one out of every nine dollars under professional management in the U.S. in 2007 was involved in SRI.  From 2005-2007, SRI assets increased more than 18 percent while the broader universe of professionally managed assets expanded less than 3 percent.

Obermeyer Asset Management Company (www.obermeyerasset.com) announced today the opening of its new Denver Colorado office at 3200 Cherry Creek South Drive, Suite 480.

Located in the heart of the Cherry Creek business district, the office will allow the Aspen-headquartered discretionary asset management firm to expand its presence in the Colorado market. Obermeyer manages the wealth of affluent individuals, families, foundations and corporations by developing investment portfolios tailored to their individual circumstances.

Company president Wally Obermeyer, recently named one of America’s Top 100 independent advisors by Barron’s magazine, said the new office demonstrates the firm’s commitment to serving Colorado’s affluent investors. “Over the years, we’ve built a solid reputation around the Roaring Fork Valley for delivering solid investment returns and world class service,” said Obermeyer. “We’re pleased about this office opening and the increased investment opportunities it affords the entire Colorado community.”

Obermeyer, who entered the investment business in 1994 with $1 million under management, has grown the firm’s asset base to more than $600 million today. The investment team builds and manages a diverse range of equity, fixed income, and alternative investment strategies for about 250 families and their associations. 

“As our reputation grows, so does the need to serve the investment community here in the Metro Area and around the state,” said Lonny Kandel, Denver Region Vice President and Director of the Cherry Creek office. “Obermeyer has a tremendous wealth management legacy, and I’m very pleased to build on that legacy in Denver.”

About Obermeyer Asset Management

Obermeyer Asset Management is an independent fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (SEC File #801-54953) headquartered in Aspen, CO. The firm manages assets for a select group of individuals, their families, and the foundations and corporations they lead. Obermeyer offers a disciplined, globally informed investment perspective that seeks overlooked value opportunities for customized portfolios. For more information, visit www.obermeyerasset.com.