Howard Hanna is Top Lender of ’09

Howard Hanna is Top Lender of ’09

Pittsburgh

Howard Hanna Mortgage Services was named the Top Lender of 2009 by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Pennsylvania bond money programs. There are over 200 lenders participating in the state’s home-ownership programs.

Serving Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Howard Hanna is the fifth-largest real-estate mortgage company in the U.S. as ranked by Real Trends Magazine’s “Top 500 Real Estate Firms by Mortgage Closings.” In 2009, Howard Hanna Mortgage closed 7,377 mortgage loans for over $1 billion in volume.

Ohio refinery faces almost $3M in fines

OREGON, Ohio

The U.S. government has issued nearly $3 million in fines against the operators of an Ohio refinery over safety violations that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials say some of the violations put workers at risk. The refinery just outside Toledo is operated by BP North America Inc. and Husky Energy Inc. OSHA says some of the problems found at the Ohio refinery are similar to those at Texas refinery, where 15 people were killed in a 2005 explosion. A spokeswoman for the refinery says the company is reviewing the citations.

Pringles recalled; salmonella possible

CINCINNATI

Procter & Gamble Co. has recalled two versions of Pringles chips because of concerns about potential salmonella exposure. The Cincinnati-based consumer products maker says the Cheeseburger and “Taco Night” versions of the snack are being recalled. The company is offering replacement coupons or refunds. Federal authorities say salmonella, an organism that can cause serious infections in young children and others with weakened immune systems, was found on Basic Food’s processing equipment

Tentative labor deal

TORONTO

The world’s largest newsprint maker, AbitibiBowater, says it has reached a tentative labor deal with the majority of its unionized Canadian workers, which could help the insolvent newsprint giant emerge from bankruptcy protection later this year. A company spokesman says the agreement requires about 4,000 Canadian workers to accept wage concessions. AbitibiBowater has operated under court protection from bankruptcy in the U.S. and Canada since April 2009. Union members are expected to vote on the contract by the end of the month.

Not competing

WASHINGTON

Northrop Grumman Corp. says it won’t compete against Boeing Co. for a $35 billion contract to build refueling tankers for the Air Force because Pentagon guidelines for the program favor Boeing’s smaller refueling tanker and does not provide “adequate value recognition” of the added capability of a larger tanker. That, according to Northrop’s CEO and president, Wes Bush, precludes Northrop from any competitive opportunity.

Vindicator staff/wire reports