Press Releases

CHICAGO, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northern Trust announced today that its asset management arm, Northern Trust Global Investments (NTGI), has selected seven emerging and minority/women-owned broker-dealers for its list of preferred equity trading partners.

The equity trading firms, which met selection criteria including execution capabilities, technology platforms and capital commitment, are:

    --  M.R. Beal and Company, Chicago, Ill.
    --  Blaylock Robert Van Securities, LLC, Oakland, Calif.
    --  Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC, Chicago
    --  Guzman & Company, Coral Gables, Fla.
    --  Loop Capital Markets, Chicago, Ill.
    --  M. Ramsey King Securities, Inc., Burr Ridge, Ill.
    --  Samuel A Ramirez & Company, Inc., New York, N.Y.

"We are pleased to maintain relationships with seven broker-dealers that have the strength and expertise to become strategic trading partners with Northern Trust," said Lyle Logan, executive vice president and managing director of client servicing and sales at NTGI. "In addition to best execution in particular markets, these firms demonstrate a commitment to compliance and risk management that is important to Northern Trust and our clients."

Equity trading partners were selected by NTGI executives from a group of 36 broker-dealers that responded to a request for information. Northern Trust went through a similar process in 2007, and the firms selected then were invited to rebid. Because fixed-income requires a larger universe of trading partners to achieve liquidity and best pricing, NTGI does not limit the number of firms it considers for fixed income trading.

Northern Trust's diversity commitment also includes its Emerging Managers Practice, which invests more than $4 billion across 46 investment strategies and 42 emerging-minority-owned investment management firms through manager-of-manager programs. In corporate procurement, the Supplier Diversity office seeks to ensure that Northern Trust provides opportunities for minority, women and disabled business owners and expands the use of diverse firms in the corporate supply chain.

Northern Trust is committed to deepening its strategic relationships with emerging and minority/women-owned broker-dealers. In 2008, Northern Trust traded in excess of $40 billion worth of equity and fixed-income securities with broker-dealers in the program, up from $30 billion in 2006.

Northern Trust Global Investments (NTGI) is the multi-asset class investment management business of Northern Trust Corporation. NTGI comprises Northern Trust Investments, N.A., Northern Trust Global Investments Limited, Northern Trust Global Investments Japan, K.K., the investment advisor division of The Northern Trust Company and Northern Trust Global Advisors and its subsidiaries.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of investment management, asset and fund administration, banking solutions and fiduciary services for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide. Northern Trust, a financial holding company based in Chicago, has offices in 18 U.S. states and 16 international locations in North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of September 30, 2009, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$3.6 trillion, and assets under investment management of US$611 billion. For 120 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader in combining exceptional service and expertise with innovative products and technology. For more information, visit www.northerntrust.com.

SOURCE Northern Trust

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/8a93df/electronic_toll_co) has announced the addition of the "Electronic Toll Collection Systems - A Global Update of Market Trends & Opportunities" report to their offering.

The global Electronic Toll Collection Systems has witnessed substantial growth in the current decade. The industry is moving ahead at a significant growth rate. Toll operators across major markets continue to convert existing tolling roads and deploy advanced ETC systems in new road development projects. Amidst the backdrop of growing vehicular population and transportation, governments worldwide are increasingly employing electronic toll collection as an effective means to reduce congestion, vehicular emissions, and long queues at the toll plazas. On the technology front, toll collection has witnessed a gradual evolution. From manual toll collection in the 1990s, technology has evolved to electronic toll collection (both infrared and DSRC-based).

These and other market data and trends are presented in "Electronic Toll Collection Systems: A Global Update of Market Trends & Opportunities" by BizAcumen, Inc. This report is designed to be the most comprehensive in geographic coverage and vertical market analyses.

Key Topics Covered:

METHODOLOGY

    --  Study Reliability and Reporting Limitations
    --  Disclaimers
    --  Quantitative Techniques & Reporting Level

MARKET DYNAMICS

    --  Electronic Toll Collection Technologies - The Road Ahead
    --  Road User Charging Market - A Perspective
    --  Global ETC Industry - An Insight
    --  Emerging ETC Technologies
    --  Odometer Tolling
    --  Mobile Phone Tolling
    --  Satellite-based Tolling
    --  Electronic Tolling Technology for Improved Traffic Management
    --  Time-of-Day Pricing
    --  Dynamic Pricing
    --  Key Market Trends and Issues
    --  Lower Operational Costs of ETC Systems Enable Increased Acceptance
    --  ETC Systems' Ability to Enhance Traffic Flow Spurs Growth
    --  Mounting Environmental Concerns Create New Avenues for ETC Use
    --  Increased Payment Convenience for Users Propels ETC Market
    --  Roaming Arrangements Boost Effectiveness of ETC System
    --  Increasing Transponder Usage - The Need of the Hour
    --  GPS/GSM-based Toll Collection - New Avenues in Road User Charging
    --  High-Speed Electronic Collection - Key Hurdles
    --  Violation Enforcement Imperative to Leverage True
    --  Electronic Toll Collection - The Privacy Factor
    --  Current and Future Analysis

PRODUCT FACTS

    --  Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) Systems
    --  Automatic Vehicle Classification (AVC) Systems
    --  Video Enforcement Systems (VES)

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS

    --  PlatePass Deploys Interoperable Camera- based Toll Collection System in
        the US
    --  Kapsch TrafficCom Gains Order for Eazy Pass Electronic Toll
    --  Kapsch TrafficCom to Construct Toll Systems for Bangkok Motorways
    --  Telvent Gains Contract for E-ZPass Toll Collection System
    --  Q-Free ASA to Acquire Major Stake in Dacolian BV
    --  TechnoCom Divests Mobility Solutions Business
    --  IRD Secures Madhucon Highway Complex Contract
    --  Sirit Enters into Strategic Supply Agreement with 3M Brazil
    --  TransCore Deploys ORT in Florida
    --  NHA and NADRA Collaborate to Install RFID Toll Collection System in
        Pakistan
    --  Floridas Turnpike Enterprise Chooses TransCores RFID Sticker Technology
    --  Busi Impianti and Kapsch TrafficCom Form Joint Venture for Traffic
        Telematics
    --  NXP Enters into Collaborative Agreement with Siemens
    --  Kapsch TrafficCom Receives Contract for Road Side Equipment
    --  Telvent Secures OHL Brasil Contract for SmartToll System
    --  Ohio Turnpike Awards Contract to TransCore
    --  Kapsch Metro Joint Venture Commissions Largest Toll Plaza
    --  Sun Capital Partners' Affiliate Acquires Mark IV Industries
    --  Mark IV Introduces New Driver Feedback Transponder
    --  TransCore Launches eZGo OBU
    --  Slovenia to Introduce Vignette Toll System on Slovenian Expressways
    --  Sirit Unveils New High-Frequency RFID Reader Module
    --  Florida to Introduce New Tag Technology for all Toll Agencies
    --  Virginia Department of Transportation Finalizes Toll Lanes Building
        Agreement
    --  Autos Trade International Acquires Stake in Electronic Transaction
        Consultants
    --  Kapsch Establishes Joint Venture with Traffic Management Technologies
    --  Kapsch TrafficCom Secures Transit New Zealand Order for ETC System
    --  Kapsch TrafficCom Secures New Chilean Toll System Contract
    --  TransCore Secures Toll System Extension Contract
    --  Maharashtra Government Appoints Mastek to Develop ETC System
    --  + many more

MAJOR PLAYERS

    --  Atlantia S.P.A (Italy)
    --  Caseta Technologies, Inc. (USA)
    --  Computer Recognition Systems Ltd (UK)
    --  G.E.A (France)
    --  International Road Dynamics, Inc. (Canada)
    --  Jai Pulnix, Inc. (USA)
    --  Kapsch Trafficcom AG (Austria)
    --  Mark IV Industries, Inc. (USA)
    --  Omron Scientific Technologies, Inc. (USA)
    --  Peek Traffic Corporation (USA)
    --  Perceptics LLC (USA)
    --  Q-FREE ASA (Norway)
    --  SAIC, Inc. (USA)
    --  Siemens Electronic Tolling (Austria)
    --  Sirit, Inc. (Canada)
    --  The Revenue Markets, Inc. (USA)
    --  Toll Collect GmbH (Germany)
    --  Transcore Holdings, Inc (USA)
    --  Transtoll (Australia)

GLOBAL MARKET ANALYTICS

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

COMPANIES PROFILED

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/8a93df/electronic_toll_co

    Source: Research and Markets

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Frank Crystal & Company, one of the nation's largest privately-owned insurance brokerage firms with more than 76 years of service, today announced that Erik Teegerstrom and Kevin Mellor have joined the firm's Houston office management team as Managing Director and Executive Director, respectively.

Ed Kiessling, Executive Vice President who leads the firm's national Commercial Insurance Services unit, said, "We are pleased to welcome Erik and Kevin to the Frank Crystal team. We are confident that Erik and Kevin's in-depth industry knowledge and experience will add tremendous value for Frank Crystal clients and further strengthen our growing regional presence."

Mr. Teegerstrom will lead the Property & Casualty unit in the Houston office, and his responsibilities will include managing the office's largest accounts. Mr. Teegerstrom has over 14 years of insurance industry experience. Prior to joining Frank Crystal, he worked at Aon Risk Services as a team leader, manager, and senior account executive. His clients have included domestic and international companies, both public and private, from a variety of industries. Mr. Teegerstrom's wide-ranging experience includes brokering, consulting, and financial analysis. He has also held various positions at Marsh, including account executive. He started his career with Travelers Insurance, working with environmental and toxic tort claims.

Mr. Mellor's responsibilities at Frank Crystal will include developing large risk management and middle market relationships for the Houston office. Mr. Mellor has over 17 years of insurance industry experience, specifically in the transportation, manufacturing, construction, oil & gas, and food service industries. His insurance career began in underwriting and sales at Liberty Mutual and most recently worked at Aon Risk Services in business development. Mr. Mellor specializes in account stewardship and client relationship management.

About Frank Crystal & Company

Frank Crystal & Company, founded in 1933, is one of the largest privately-held insurance brokerage firms in the United States. Headquartered in New York City, the company has 400 employees and regional offices in Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC. As the alternative in insurance brokerage, Frank Crystal provides industry-leading insurance services, solutions, and counsel to its clients. For more information, please visit: www.frankcrystal.com

    Source: Frank Crystal & Company

ATLANTA, Dec. 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta Falcons starting Fullback and Eco-Athlete, is welcomed by Green activist, Former Vice President Al Gore during his recent environmental seminar in Atlanta to discuss "Solutions to the Climate Crisis".

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6896

For more information regarding Ovie Mughelli please call Exposure BBC at 510-484-7022.

CONTACT:  Exposure BBC
          MEDIA CONTACT:
          Bridgett Coates
          (510) 484-7022
          bcoates@exposurebbc.com

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nearly two billion Bluetooth chipsets are forecast to ship in 2014 alone, according to new market data released by ABI Research. More than half will be found in wireless handsets. In the same year, almost 1.5 billion Wi-Fi chipsets are expected to ship and again, more than one third of that total will be used in handsets.

"Several factors are driving the strong growth in Bluetooth and even more in Wi-Fi chipset markets," notes practice director Philip Solis. "Average selling prices for both technologies continue to fall. Wi-Fi will get a big boost from Wi-Fi Direct, which allows direct peer-to-peer communication between devices at short range. Finally, the ubiquitous Bluetooth is increasingly found in combination with a variety of other technologies, including FM radio, GPS, and Wi-Fi.

"Combining Bluetooth with other technologies in a single chipset helps reduce costs," says Solis. "It also saves space in devices such as handsets where that may be a precious commodity. In 2014, Bluetooth will be found in 70% of all handsets and 83% of all netbooks."

Bluetooth will also increasingly be supplemented by the newer "BLE" or Bluetooth Low-Energy.

ABI Research's "Short Range Wireless Forecasts" (http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1003745-Short+Range+Wireless+Forecasts) database provides market data and projections for Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, ZigBee and Wi-Fi for enabled equipment shipments, chipset shipments and associated revenues. The forecast database examines connectivity uptake in end-equipment markets such as mobile handsets and notebooks, and includes analysis of vertical markets such as industrial and commercial. It includes forecasts for integrated chipset shipments of multiple connectivity standards as well as an analysis by user segment.

In this edition, the structure of the data has been thoroughly revised to better reflect the changing dynamics of the market.

This product is included in two ABI Research Services, Short Range Wireless (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/SE-SRW) and Semiconductors (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/SE-RFPD), which also include Research Reports, Research Briefs, ABI Vendor Matrices, ABI Insights, and analyst inquiry support.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research's worldwide team of experts advise thousands of decision makers through 28 research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

    Source: ABI Research