Banking & Finance

Late Tuesday night, Congress approved, and the President signed the following day, a deal to avert the fiscal cliff. But it is too soon to begin the back-slapping and congratulations.

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) has acquired Jenkins & Vojtisek SC, a certified public accounting firm based in Racine.

Wisconsin businesses reported better trends in 2012, with more than 50 percent of businesses reporting increased sales, according to The First Business Economic Survey for Dane County, Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties and the northeast region of Wisconsin.

The Milwaukee area economy was mostly flat in 2012 but is poised for “slow and steady” improvement in 2013, according to a new regional report by PNC Bank economists.

So long, 2012, a year in which the economy took two steps forward for every one step back, and welcome to 2013, a nestling born on the edge of a cliff. Here are some trends worth following.

Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin Inc., the Madison-based holding company for AnchorBank, has completed the prepayment of $150 million of Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances.

As Wisconsin gets closer to considering an early stage investing bill, it is important to get the basic principles right. Here’s my take on how to proceed on solid ground:

The state legislature will consider the creation of a new venture capital fund. Such a fund should be a public/private partnership, according to Sen. Frank Lasee.

Milwaukee-based Mason Wells announced it has closed on the acquisition of A&R Logistics Inc., a Morris, Ill.-based bulk transportation and logistics company.

Bolstered by a strong cast of fall movies, The Marcus Corp. today reported fiscal second quarter net earnings of $4.7 million, or 17 cents per share, up from $2.8 million, or 10 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.