Statistics, Facts, & Such

One family in 70 went bankrupt in 1998, according to Cornell University economist Robert Frank.
MONEY Magazine - February, 1999-p33

All states except Arkansas, Oregon and D.C. consider qualified Roth IRA distributions free from state income tax. The aforementioned three states are expected to take legislative action soon, making all states tax free for Roths.
MONEY Magazine - February, 1999-p165

Check fraud has grown to a $12.6 billion problem in the U.S., according to some estimates.
AOLNews@aol.com, Jan. 13, 1999

Nearly $500 million in monetary loss was attributed to property stolen in connection with robbery in 1997. Bank robberies resulted in the highest average loss, at $4,802 per offense; convenience store robberies the lowest, at $576.
Dept. Of Justice, 1999 Annual Report on Crime in the U.S.

The Eurodollar, now in use, is the official currency in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
American Banker, Jan 4, 1999 - p1

As of the first of the year, 631 of the 10,739 banks and thrifts in the U.S. pay for FDIC insurance. FDIC says it will "reevaluate" soon.
American Banker, Jan. 4, 1999 - p2

The likeness of Abraham Lincoln on the $5 bill was taken when he was 55 years old.
U.S. Treasury

Americans lose about $40 billion a year to fraudulent telemarketers, who officials estimate constitute about 10% of the 140,000 telemarketing operations nationwide.
AARP Bulletin - March, 1999 - p10

Copyright © 1999 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 9, No. 3, 3/99