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Zions Direct Announces FDIC-Insured CD Auction Results

Russell Fisher — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:00:50 +0000

Results for Auctions of FDIC-insured Certificates of Deposit through May 15, 2012

SALT LAKE CITY – May 17, 2012 – Zions Direct, the online broker-dealer that allows its customers to purchase FDIC – insured Certificates of Deposit in its daily web-based auctions, announces its weekly auction results. In auctions closed from May 9, 2012 to May 15, 2012, investors purchasing FDIC-insured CDs in the auctions received average yields 0.46 percentage points, or 46 basis points, higher than average yields on similar CDs as reported in Informa Research Services Top 50 National APYs, May 15, 2012.

Zions Direct regularly publishes data from CDs auctioned at Zions Direct Auctions compared against similar securities offered in the marketplace in their Market Snapshot. Since February 2007, Zions Direct has auctioned over 1.1 billion dollars in more than 5,000 fixed-income auctions.

ZIONS DIRECT AUCTIONS MARKET SNAPSHOT

FDIC-Insured Certificate of Deposit Data*

1 Mo

2 Mo

3 Mo

6 Mo

9 Mo

1 Yr

Zions Direct Auction CDs

0.72%

0.95%

0.47%

0.71%

0.66%

0.88%

Informa Top 50 National APYs

0.14%

0.21%

0.32%

Zions Direct / National APY Difference

0.33%

0.50%

0.56%

Total Average Difference (basis points): 46

For more information on Zions Direct and the Market Snapshot go to zionsdirect.com to sign up to receive the free weekly newsletter or visit think.zionsdirect.com to view a Market Snapshot archive.

THE INFORMATION INCLUDED IS NOT INTENDED TO SERVE AS THE BASIS FOR INVESTMENT DECISIONS. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT AN INDICATION OF FUTURE RESULTS.

*See Additional Disclaimer for data source information.

About Zions Direct

Zions Direct is a broker-dealer that specializes in offering securities for self-directed and fixed income-focused investors. Zions Direct allows retail investors to buy FDIC-insured certificates of deposit, corporate and municipal bonds, and other investment products through their web-based Bond Store and auction platforms. In addition, clients can invest in stocks, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds online or through a Zions Direct financial representative.

Investment products and services offered through Zions Direct, member of FINRA/SIPC, a non-bank subsidiary of Zions Bank are NOT insured by the FDIC or any federal or state governmental agency, are NOT deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, Zions Bancorporation or its affiliates, and MAY be subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of principal value or amount invested. FDIC-insured CDs are insured up to $250,000 per individual account holder per bank.

Additional Disclaimer

Zions Direct Auction CD yields are from auctions ending May 9, 2012 to May 15, 2012. A weighted average is calculated when multiple CDs of similar terms are sold through platform. FDIC-insured CDs with terms of 1 month are noted as 1 month; 2 months are noted as 2 months; 3 – 4 months are noted as 3 months; 5 – 7 months as 6 months; 8 – 10 months as 9 months; 11 – 17 months as 1 year; 18 – 29 months as 2 year; 48 – 71 months as 5 years.

Top 50 National APYs – Top 50 U.S. bank and thrift holding companies by deposits. CD Rates Average APYs are based on certificate of deposit accounts for $25,000. Copyright 2012 Informa Research Services, Inc as a part of their Interest Rate Review – Retail. Report dated May 15, 2012.

Editor’s Choice

Jason Love — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:42 +0000

Zions Direct Announces Corporate Bond Auction Results

Russell Fisher — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:05 +0000

Auctions of Corporate Bonds for week ending May 11, 2012

SALT LAKE CITY – Zions Direct, the online broker-dealer that allows its customers to purchase corporate bonds in its daily web-based auctions, announces its weekly auction results. In auctions closed from May 7, 2012 to May 11, 2012, investors purchasing corporate bonds in the auctions received average taxable yields 0.42 percentage points, or 42 basis points, higher than comparable bonds reported in FINRA’s Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE).

Zions Direct, in conjunction with BondDesk Group LLC, regularly publishes a Market Snapshot for investors to help understand the current bond market, summarizing current weighted-average yields of investment-grade municipal and corporate bonds. Findings are compared against similar securities auctioned at Zions Direct Auctions. Since February 2007, Zions Direct has auctioned over 1.1 billion dollars in more than 5,000 fixed-income auctions.

ZIONS DIRECT / BONDDESK® MARKET SNAPSHOT

Corporate Bonds’ Average Yields Trade Data (source: FINRA’s TRACE)

	2012 – 2013	2013	2014	2015	2017	2019	2022
Rating	<9mo	1 yr	2 yr	3 yr	5 yr	7 yr	10 yr
AAA	0.16%	0.28%	0.47%	0.62%	1.11%	1.66%	2.08%
AA	0.32%	0.62%	0.84%	1.28%	1.93%	2.90%	3.48%
A	0.56%	0.88%	1.43%	2.06%	2.59%	3.19%	3.57%
BBB	1.39%	1.36%	2.21%	2.42%	3.14%	3.85%	4.31%

Corporate Bond Auction Comparison Data (auction data from auctions.zionsdirect.com)

Issuer	Term	Rating	Auction Yield	TRACE	Difference
				Avg Yield	(basis points)
Citigroup Fndg Inc., (FDIC Ins)	5 Month	AA	0.91%	0.35%	56
Kellogg Co	7 Month	BBB	1.15%	0.85%	30
Deutsche Bank AG London	8 Month	A	1.38%	0.54%	84
E.I. Du Pont de Nemours	10 Month	A	1.04%	0.95%	09
Astrazeneca PLC	4 Month	A	0.91%	0.54%	37
Citigroup Fndg Inc., (FDIC Ins)	7 Month	AA	1.00%	0.35%	65
Boeing Capital Corp	8 Month	A	0.89%	0.54%	35
Wells Fargo & Company	9 Month	A	1.00%	0.54%	46
JP Morgan Chase & Co.	8 Month	A	1.00%	0.54%	46
John Deere Capital Corp	8 Month	A	1.19%	0.54%	65
General Electric Capital Corp	8 Month	AA	0.99%	0.35%	64
Prudential Financial Inc	8 Month	BBB	1.19%	0.85%	34
General Electric Capital Corp	1 Month	AA	0.99%	0.35%	64
Canadian Natl Resourses LTD	5 Month	BBB	1.00%	0.85%	15
JP Morgan Chase & Co.	8 Month	A	0.99%	0.54%	45
Carolina Power & Light	16 Month	A	1.23%	0.95%	28
Dell Inc	1 Month	A	1.00%	0.54%	46
Caterpillar Fin Srvcs	7 Month	A	0.99%	0.54%	45
Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc	7 Month	BBB	0.96%	0.85%	11
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co	15 Month	A	1.08%	0.95%	13
Average Difference					42

For more information on Zions Direct and the BondDesk Market Snapshot go to zionsdirect.com to sign up to receive the free weekly newsletter or visit think.zionsdirect.com to view a Market Snapshot archive.

THE INFORMATION IN THE MARKET SNAPSHOT IS NOT INTENDED TO SERVE AS THE BASIS FOR INVESTMENT DECISIONS. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT AN INDICATION OF FUTURE RESULTS.

About Zions Direct

Zions Direct is a broker-dealer that specializes in offering securities for self-directed and fixed income-focused investors. Zions Direct allows retail investors to buy FDIC-insured certificates of deposit, corporate and municipal bonds, and other investment products through its web-based Bond Store and auction platforms. In addition, clients can invest in stocks, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds online or through a Zions Direct financial representative.

About BondDesk Group LLC

BondDesk Group LLC is a financial technology firm, providing enterprise-wide fixed income solutions to many of the top broker-dealers in North America. The BondDesk Alternative Trading System (ATS), run by BondDesk Trading LLC, connects broker-dealers through a centralized marketplace by offering a diverse pool of liquidity for odd-lot fixed income securities in multiple asset classes. The BondDesk ATS executes over 20,000 transactions per day by providing 2,000 broker-dealers access to 35,000 live and executable offerings from over 100 premier fixed income dealers. In addition, BondDesk Group is a leading provider of innovative fixed income wealth management solutions, advisor workstations and fixed income analytical tools and applications.

Market Snapshot Information Disclaimer

TRACE bond trade data displayed as weighted average yield. Corporate bond information from FINRA’s Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE) as of May 11, 2012. The Trade Data was developed by BondDesk Group based on trade reporting information from TRACE, and excludes transactions in callable and floating-rate coupon bonds. Auction information from auctions.zionsdirect.com as of May 11, 2012. The aggregate rating for each bond is based on average ratings from Moody’s and S&P (when available).

Although information in this Market Snapshot is believed to be reliable, Zions Direct and BondDesk make no express or implied warranties of any kind regarding this information, including as to its accuracy or completeness. Auction data excludes bonds in undersubscribed auctions. Any specific weekly results may be heavily influenced by large, atypical volatility, trade volume, or other unusual investing events.

Terms are defined as follows: < 9 months = anything up to .75 years to maturity; 1 year = anything greater than 0.75 years up to 1.5 years to maturity; 2 years = anything greater than 1.5 years up to 2.5 years to maturity; 3 years = anything greater than 2.5 years up to 4 years to maturity; 5 years = anything greater than 4 years up to 6 years to maturity; 7 years = anything greater than 6 years up to 8.5 years to maturity; 10 years = anything greater than 8.5 years up to 11.5 years to maturity.

Investment products and services offered through Zions Direct, member of FINRA/SIPC, a non-bank subsidiary of Zions Bank are NOT insured by the FDIC or any federal or state governmental agency, are NOT deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, Zions Bancorporation or its affiliates, and MAY be subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of principal value or amount invested.

Choosing Your Financial Rollercoaster

Zions Direct — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:00:12 +0000

With all the "E's" that tend to drive consumers' feelings about the market: economy, Euro Zone, employment, election, energy prices—discover why it is important to put emotion aside when it comes to asset allocation. Read More

Zions Direct Announces Municipal Bond Auction Results

Russell Fisher — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:00:47 +0000

Auctions of Municipal Bonds for week ending May 11, 2012

SALT LAKE CITY – Zions Direct, the online broker-dealer that allows its customers to purchase municipal bonds in its daily web-based auctions, announces its weekly auction results. In auctions closed from May 7, 201 to May 11, 201, investors purchasing municipal bonds in the auctions received average tax-exempt yields 0.55 percentage points, or 55 basis points, higher than similar bonds as reported by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB).

Municipal Bonds’ Average Yields Trade Data (source: MSRB)

	2012 – 2013	2013	2014	2015	2017	2019	2022
Rating	<9mo	1 yr	2 yr	3 yr	5 yr	7 yr	10 yr
AAA	0.38%	0.36%	0.46%	0.58%	0.85%	1.32%	1.80%
AA	0.40%	0.38%	0.58%	0.73%	1.04%	1.55%	2.07%
A	0.51%	0.60%	0.82%	0.98%	1.41%	2.37%	2.63%
BBB	0.77%	0.88%	1.60%	1.85%	2.13%	2.69%	3.40%
Insured AAA-AA	0.43%	0.45%	0.61%	0.84%	1.17%	1.61%	2.16%

Municipal Bond Auction Comparison Data (auction data from auctions.zionsdirect.com)

Issuer	Term	Rating	Auction Yield	MSRB	Difference
				Avg Yield	(basis points)
Reg Trans Dist, CO COP	1 Month	Insured A	1.00%	0.44%	56
Orange Wtr & Swr Auth, NC Rev	2 Month	AA	0.98%	0.38%	60
St Charles Mesa Wtr Dist, CO Rev	7 Month	Insured BBB	1.25%	0.44%	81
Cache Cnty, UT Rev	7 Month	Insured AA	1.00%	0.44%	56
Phoenix, AZ Rev	2 Month	Insured AA	0.93%	0.44%	49
Arizona Trans Brd, AZ Rev	2 Month	AA	0.80%	0.38%	42
St Charles Mesa Wtr Dist, CO Rev	7 Month	Insured BBB	1.20%	0.44%	76
Port Chester, NY GO	10.5 Year	AA	2.50%	2.13%	37
Yakima, WA GO	1 Month	Insured A	0.88%	0.44%	44
Palm Beach Co Sch Bd, FL Cop	3 Month	AA	0.80%	0.38%	42
State of Connecticut, GO	8 Month	AA	0.88%	0.38%	50
Suffolk Cnty Wtr Auth, NY Rev	13 Month	Insured A	1.09%	0.45%	64
San Mateo Cnty Cmnty Clg, CA Go	4 Month	AA	0.81%	0.38%	43
University of Connecticut, Rev	8 Month	AA	1.00%	0.38%	62
Sandy City, UT Rev	13 Month	Insured AA	1.14%	0.45%	69
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Clg, CA GO	3 Month	Insured AA	0.94%	0.44%	50
Flower Mound, TX GO	10 Month	Insured AA	0.93%	0.45%	48
Casa Grande Sch Dist #4, AZ GO	14 Month	Insured AA	1.10%	0.45%	65
Arizona Trans Brd, AZ Rev	2 Year	AA	1.22%	0.60%	62
Average Difference					55

THE INFORMATION IN THE MARKET SNAPSHOT IS NOT INTENDED TO SERVE AS THE BASIS FOR INVESTMENT DECISIONS. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT AN INDICATION OF FUTURE RESULTS.

About Zions Direct

MSRB bond trade data displayed as weighted average yield. Municipal bond information from MSRB as of May 11, 2012. The Trade Data was developed by BondDesk Group based on information from MSRB’s Real-Time Transaction Reporting System, and excludes transactions in taxable bonds. Auction information from auctions.zionsdirect.com as of May 11, 2012. The aggregate rating for each bond is based on average ratings from Moody’s and S&P (when available).

Municipal bonds are exempt from federal tax and may or may not be tax-exempt in individual states. The inclusion of municipal bonds selected by tax-exempt status is generated from pertinent federal tax attributes as populated from Muller, IDC, and/or BD ATS data sources.

Monday Cartoon

Dan Rosandich — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:54 +0000

Vote for the Weekly Cartoon

Russell Fisher — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:10:52 +0000

Zions Direct Announces FDIC-Insured CD Auction Results

Russell Fisher — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:00:54 +0000

Results for Auctions of FDIC-insured Certificates of Deposit through May 8, 2012

SALT LAKE CITY – May 10, 2012 – Zions Direct, the online broker-dealer that allows its customers to purchase FDIC – insured Certificates of Deposit in its daily web-based auctions, announces its weekly auction results. In auctions closed from May 2, 2012 to May 8, 2012, investors purchasing FDIC-insured CDs in the auctions received average yields 0.44 percentage points, or 44 basis points, higher than average yields on similar CDs as reported in Informa Research Services Top 50 National APYs, May 8, 2012.

Zions Direct regularly publishes data from CDs auctioned at Zions Direct Auctions compared against similar securities offered in the marketplace in their Market Snapshot. Since February 2007, Zions Direct has auctioned over 1.1 billion dollars in more than 5,000 fixed-income auctions.

ZIONS DIRECT AUCTIONS MARKET SNAPSHOT

FDIC-Insured Certificate of Deposit Data*

1 Mo

2 Mo

3 Mo

6 Mo

9 Mo

1 Yr

Zions Direct Auction CDs

0.90%

1.04%

0.62%

0.70%

0.61%

0.66%

Informa Top 50 National APYs

0.14%

0.21%

0.32%

Zions Direct / National APY Difference

0.48%

0.49%

0.34%

Total Average Difference (basis points): 44

For more information on Zions Direct and the Market Snapshot go to zionsdirect.com to sign up to receive the free weekly newsletter or visit think.zionsdirect.com to view a Market Snapshot archive.

THE INFORMATION INCLUDED IS NOT INTENDED TO SERVE AS THE BASIS FOR INVESTMENT DECISIONS. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT AN INDICATION OF FUTURE RESULTS.

*See Additional Disclaimer for data source information.

About Zions Direct

Zions Direct is a broker-dealer that specializes in offering securities for self-directed and fixed income-focused investors. Zions Direct allows retail investors to buy FDIC-insured certificates of deposit, corporate and municipal bonds, and other investment products through their web-based Bond Store and auction platforms. In addition, clients can invest in stocks, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds online or through a Zions Direct financial representative.

Investment products and services offered through Zions Direct, member of FINRA/SIPC, a non-bank subsidiary of Zions Bank are NOT insured by the FDIC or any federal or state governmental agency, are NOT deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, Zions Bancorporation or its affiliates, and MAY be subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of principal value or amount invested. FDIC-insured CDs are insured up to $250,000 per individual account holder per bank.

Additional Disclaimer

Zions Direct Auction CD yields are from auctions ending May 2, 2012 to May 8, 2012. A weighted average is calculated when multiple CDs of similar terms are sold through platform. FDIC-insured CDs with terms of 1 month are noted as 1 month; 2 months are noted as 2 months; 3 – 4 months are noted as 3 months; 5 – 7 months as 6 months; 8 – 10 months as 9 months; 11 – 17 months as 1 year; 18 – 29 months as 2 year; 48 – 71 months as 5 years.

Top 50 National APYs – Top 50 U.S. bank and thrift holding companies by deposits. CD Rates Average APYs are based on certificate of deposit accounts for $25,000. Copyright 2012 Informa Research Services, Inc as a part of their Interest Rate Review – Retail. Report dated May 8, 2012.

How Bonds Can Improve Your Morning Commute

Zions Direct — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:15:24 +0000

Public transportation is a staple in many cities across the country and around the world. Find out how the Utah Transit Authority is using funds generated by the issue of municipal bonds to expand their rail services. Read More

Editor’s Choice

Royston Robertson — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:14:12 +0000