General Motors has recently selected Chris Liddell - Microsoft Corp’s chief finance officer - as vice chairman and CFO to replace Ray Young. Liddell, age 51, has been CFO at Microsoft Corporation since May 2005 but is leaving his position there as of December 31st. Despite his demotion, Ray Young is staying with the company as vice president of international operations; leading the unit’s finance projects, with additional responsibilities to be “clarified in the near term,” GM said…

According to the Fitch Ratings 2010 outlook report, U.S. structured finance sectors indicate a significant instability even with recent signs of economic recovery. The Fitch credit rating report also specifies that U.S. consumer heath and unemployment will play an important part in consumer ABS (asset backed securities) performance in 2010. Fitch expects unemployment rates reaching 10.5 percent by mid 2010, credit card charge-off rates at 12 percent, and annualized auto net losses between 2 and 25 percent…

President Obama recently held a meeting with some of the nation’s largest commercial banking groups, stressing the importance of taking “extraordinary” steps to restore the U.S. economy after obtaining taxpayer bailout dollars. Financial service institutions were monetarily assisted by taxpayers to avoid bankruptcy, which was “largely of their own making,” he said; rendering them indebted to homeowners and small businesses alike.

Searchlight, NV might soon have more solar panels per square mile than people, thanks to a long-term PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) between American Capital Energy and NV Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NVE). The power will be produced by a 20-MW solar PV plant being constructed near the town of Searchlight, NV. Southern Nevada’s existing solar array at Nellis Air Force Base is currently the largest operating solar PV plant in the United States.

Now more than ever, financing options are becoming a HUGE factor in the equipment acquisition process. Salesmen of heavy equipment/capital equipment will tell you time and time again, the ability to control the financing process allows them to close more deals. In this economy, many companies simply cannot handle the burden of paying cash for new equipment purchases, even if the purchase is necessary. Small businesses all across the US and Canada are delaying equipment acquisitions until the economy turns around, even if the upgrade/purchase is well past due. As an equipment/technology vendor, the ability to offer comprehensive equipment leasing and financing options is a must, and the ability to control the financing process can be just as important…