Most Fiscally Responsible People Are in Northeast

By Jack Simony

A new study says New York, New Jersey and New Hampshire are home to the country's most fiscally responsible residents, USA Today reported.

After asking 28,000 people questions on five topical financial issues, the Investor Education Foundation of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority produced a state-by-state look at financial capabilites.

"If there has been a silver lining to the recession, it has refocused consumers' attention on their own personal financial habits, and this will be a wonderful tool," Gail Cunningham of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, told the newspaper. "It may be another wake-up call."

See where your state ranked.

-By Jack Simony

New Hedge Fund, Branch Hill Capital, Launches

By Jack Simony

A new hedge fund, Branch Hill Capital, has been launched by Ron Beller and Manal Mehta, the New York Times reported, citing a report in the Financial News.

The fund started in June, and is up 15 percent according to the report.

The two started the fund with $40 million of their own capital, and are trying to raise $250 million from outside investors, the report said.

- By Jack Simony