The Michael Moore documentary that has been so feverishly anticipated now has a title: Capitalism: A Love Story.
For those of you not so familiar with Moore’s work, you can basically expect convenient statistics for Moore’s position and not-so-flattering footage of rich guys who might had a hand in some of the collapse. Master de Ponz, Prince Ponz, Angelo Mozilo, Joe Cassano, anyone whoever worked at a hedge fund, etc.
Michael Moore names his new economy themed film [New York Daily News]
Michael Moore’s Next
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Paulson’s Threatening of Ken Lewis Gets the Barney Frank Stamp of Approval
Barney Frank is stumped. Trying to figure out why Maxine Waters is MIA is one thing, but picking the evil mastermind behind the shakedown of Ken Lewis is a completely different enigma.
Even if Paulson ordered the code red, the Sass from Mass is pretty sure that was the right thing to do because we need guys like HP on that wall. When you’ve got the imminent financial apocalypse knocking at your door, threatening a bank CEO of questionable sobriety cannot be handled by someone of meekness and mild temperament (ahem, B-squared).
Hank Paulson did before and he’d do it again. He’d just rather you said “thank you” and went on your way.
Frank Says No “Villain” in Bank of America-Merrill Lynch Deal [Bloomberg]
Baker Tilly Virchow Krause Merges with Beers & Cutler
Chicago-based Baker Tilly Virchow Krause announced today that they are merging with Beers & Cutler, a firm based Vienna, VA.
This latest acquisition by BTVK — its twelfth this decade — is part of the firm’s “national expansion” and will add to its presence on the East Coast with the Vienna office acting as the hub in addition to its New York City location.
The Washington Business Journal reports that BTVK’s expansion goals include doubling its revenue to $400 million by 2012, which CEO Tim Christen calls ‘conservative.’
From the press release:
“When we look for merger partners, we focus on the quality of the people and the reputation of the firm. There are many synergies between Baker Tilly and Beers + Cutler, and we see Washington, DC as a critical market as we continue to develop the Baker Tilly brand in the U.S.,” said Tim Christen, CEO of Baker Tilly. “As independent members of Baker Tilly International, we have been colleagues for many years, and together, we believe in the power of the network and the value it brings to our clients around the world.”
Beers & Cutler had been expanding their practice rapidly over the past four years, increasing its number of employees from, 202 in 2005 to 319 in 2008. In 2009, B&C cut 55 employees — 17% of their total headcount — however, managing partner Ed Offterdinger insists they were not related to the merger:
“[These layoffs] were not at all a factor in the decision to merge,” said Ed Offterdinger, Beers & Cutlers’ managing partner. “We’re doing this from a position of strength.”
The downturn is easing, and the firm is seeing increased demand for its services, and “the merger will help accelerate that,” he said.
The Washington Business Journal does report that the merger will lead to an additional ten layoffs, but that the firm will be adding staff “in the near future.”
Our understanding is that Mr. Christen and Mr. Offterdinger are meeting with Beers & Cutler staff today and were not available for interviews or additional comment. If you work at either of these firms and have any additional details (especially if you were in the B&C “meeting”) on this story, get in touch with us.
Beers & Cutler to merge into Baker Tilly Virchow Krause [Washington Business Journal]
BTVK_Press Release.pdf
Wanted: Auditor for a Failing Bank (And a Buyer Too)
In another case of an auditor giving a Titantic-esque bank the ‘It’s not you, it’s me’ routine, E&Y resigned as the auditor of Corus Bankshares, Inc., in a filing late last Friday.
This one really had no chance. After the Chief Accounting Officer resigned after five months on the job, family shareholders continuing to dump their shares, and filing their Q late, you can’t really expect Ernie to stick around.
E&Y had given the going concern paragraph kiss of death on Corus’s audit opinion earlier in the year and according to the last amended quarterly filing, Corus had over $7 billion in assets but negative equity. So, nature seems to be taking its course. Chalk it up, She Bair.
Ernst & Young resigns as Corus’ accounting firm [Chicago Tribune]