In the News

03-09-2010	St. Joseph News-Press: Zweifel announces low-interest loans Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel visited St. Joseph Monday to announce around $10 million in low-interest loans made by his administration to farms and small businesses in Northwest Missouri. The loans were issued through the Missouri Linked Deposit Program, starting in January 2009. “This is exactly, in my opinion, the smart, responsible types of investments that we have to make in Missouri,” Mr. Zweifel said. [ Read More ]
03-04-2010	KRCG 13: House passes bill protecting unclaimed medals The Missouri House unanimously passed a bill Thursday that will ensure the protection of unclaimed military medals in Missouri. The Veterans’ Medals Bill, developed by State Treasurer Clint Zweifel and sponsored by Rep. David Day, ensures that veteran’s medals held by Unclaimed Property at the Treasurer’s Office will never be auctioned or sold. “Servicemen and women deserve to know we will ensure their medals are safe under all circumstance once they enter Unclaimed Property, no matter who is State Treasurer,” Zweifel said in a statement. The Veterans’ Medals Bill also allows for a custodian of the military medals until the owner or the beneficiary can be located. This provision grants the opportunity to share the medals with veterans’ organizations. There are currently 94 military medals in Unclaimed Property. [ Read More ]
03-04-2010	Springfield Business Journal: State reaches rebate-check settlement with Sprint The state of Missouri and Sprint reached a settlement in a lawsuit regarding the ownership of unclaimed and uncashed rebate checks, according to an announcement Thursday from State Treasurer Clint Zweifel and Attorney General Chris Koster. The suit, which was settled for $303,000, centered on whether uncashed rebate checks must be reported under the state’s unclaimed property laws, and who should report them to the treasurer’s office. The company reached agreement with 36 states, totaling $22 million. "The law requires companies to report abandoned property to my office each year,” Zweifel said in the release. “We argued that rebate checks become unclaimed property under Missouri law if they go uncashed for five years, the same way that stocks and bonds become unclaimed property." [ Read More ]
02-27-2010	KTVO-ABC in Kirksville: Do you have any unclaimed money? KIRKSVILLE, MO -- Treasurer Clint Zweifel was in Kirksville on Saturday marketing the Missouri House Democrats “Road to the Majority Tour” in northeast Missouri. Zweifel said Missouri has a strong field of democrats running in 2010 who understand the need for innovative and fiscally responsible solutions to move Missouri’s economy. While campaigning, Zweifel talked about his office and their unclaimed property program. As of January 2010, the Sate Treasure’s office was holding more than $600 million in unclaimed assets in more than 3.5 million owner accounts. Zweifel said the average return is $360 and 1 in 10 Missourians has unclaimed property. [ Read More ]
02-27-2010	KHQA-ABC in Hannibal: Missouri House democrats tour the state HANNIBAL, MO. — Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel {zwy-ful} was in Hannibal Saturday morning to promote jobs across the state. It was part of Missouri House Democrats "Road to the Majority" tour. That’s a grassroots fundraiser that highlights local candidates for state legislature. Zweifel stressed the importance for both republicans and democrats working together to get things done. He says when that happens, tax payers see real results. "When you’re able to see what small business face every single day, what farmers face every single day, this is a great time for Missouri to step up, make some smart investments to really benefit those businesses so that they can survive during the tough times," said Clint Zweifel. [ Read More ]
02-05-2010	St. Louis Business Journal: Sams Carpet Cleaning to add jobs with $575,000 loan Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repairs in St. Charles has received a $575,000 low-interest loan to help it maintain its 23 employees and hire more. “Everyone knows the economy with the way it is, it is our job as the owner to cut costs as much as we can without laying off people,” said Jeff Sams, owner of the 25-year-old company. “This allowed us to refinance our property where we keep our vehicles and lower our interest rate so we aren’t spending so much money on interest on loans.” As a result, Sams was able to reduce his loan rate by 2.15 percent, buy equipment to clean oriental rugs and hopefully add three or four more employees in the next six months. First State Bank of St. Charles made the loan, made possible through the Missouri Linked Deposit Program, which has $720 million in lending power. The state program was expanded as part of a jobs and economic development package State Treasurer Clint Zweifel developed and pushed for passage in the 2009 legislative session. In 2009, more than $200 million in loans were issued impacting 2,277 jobs and 1,000 farms, saving millions in interest costs, Zweifel’s office said. Zweifel visited Sams Carpet and its 18,000-square-foot facility at 1602 North Fourth St. on Friday to announce the loan. [ Read More ]
02-02-2010	Suburban Journals: Dems to host St. Charles County kickoff rally State Treasurer Clint Zweifel will kick off the 2010 campaigns of St. Charles County Democratic candidates in St. Charles. The event begins at 6 p.m. Friday at 506 Droste Road (at West Clay Street) in St. Charles. The event is free and open to the public. During the kickoff event, dubbed "2010 Race for the Win," area residents may share their feedback and meet local Democratic candidates for office. [ Read More ]
02-01-2010	Missouri Beginning Farming: Beginning Farmer Loan Program Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel recently announced $39 million has been loaned to SE Missouri farms and small businesses through the Linked Deposit Program. A press release from his office claims these loans have impacted 662 jobs and 112 farmers, and saved borrowers about $663,000. There is currently approximately $200 million loaned across Missouri and another $520 million is available to qualified borrowers. [ Read More ]
01-31-2010	Southeast Missourian: Treasurer says small-business loan program a job tool for Southeast Missouri during Cape visit A loan program for farms and small businesses is a responsible way of supporting businesses, state Treasurer Clint Zweifel said Saturday. During a stop in Cape Girardeau, Zweifel discussed the Missouri Linked Deposit Program. Expanded in 2009, the program has lent about $200 million to qualifying farms and small businesses in the state, including $39 million to those in Southeast Missouri. Another $520 million is available for loans, which go toward farms and small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. [ Read More ]
01-21-2010	Springfield Business Journal: State launches program to boost housing market A $15 million initiative launched earlier this month aims to jump-start Missouri’s home building market. Gov. Jay Nixon and State Treasurer Cliint Zweifel kicked off the Home Ownership Purchase Enhancement program during Jan. 13 meetings with skilled craftsmen in St. Louis and Kansas City. [ Read More ]
01-04-2010	Springfield Business Journal: New state investment rules go into effect An effort by Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel to get better returns on state investments took effect Friday. The General Assembly unanimously passed the Invest in Missouri legislation last summer. That legislation gradually phases out requirements related to state time deposits, which are similar to certificates of deposit. The state can now invest taxpayer money in Missouri banks without the return on those investments having to match the return on short-term U.S. Treasury securities. A news release from Zweifel’s office said the U.S. Treasury yield dropped as low as 0.2 percent in 2009. [ Read More ]
12-18-2009	Columbia Daily Tribune: State to offer new home-buying incentive The Missouri Housing Development Commission today approved a plan in which Missouri families making less than $98,000 a year who buy a home in 2010 would receive a reimbursement to cover $1,250 of their property tax bill. Another $500 would be available if the new homeowner invests in energy-saving home improvements or appliances. [ Read More ]
12-18-2009	KWMU: MHDC approves tax break for some Mo. home buyers The Missouri Housing Development Commission has approved a measure designed to increase the number of new home owners across the state. The provision will use $15 million in reserve funds to cover the first year of property taxes, up to $1,250, for first-time home buyers who earn less than $98,000 a year. It was backed by Democratic State Treasurer and Commission Chairman Clint Zweifel. [ Read More ]
12-18-2009	Missourinet: MHDC approves $35 million housing program Members of the Missouri Housing Development Commission today approved a $35 million package aimed at helping Missourians buy homes, pay their real estate taxes and make energy efficiency improvements. It is also hopes the program will give a boost to the struggling housing industry in the state. $20 million will be taken from the commission’s fund balance. Of that, $15 million will provide property tax relief for approximately 10,000 Missourians, who would get up to $1,250 reimbursed by the state. An additional $500 is available to those who make qualified energy efficiency improvements to their homes. The remaining $5 million from the fund balance will help Missourians buy their first house. The remaining $15 million comes from the leftover federal economic stimulus money sent to Missouri from Washington. MHDC Chairman, State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, says that money will be used as bridge-financing for housing construction projects that run short of the cash needed to complete financing. [ Read More ]
12-18-2009	KOMU: State Unveils New Property Tax Program Eligible homebuyers will have less to worry about it when it comes to property taxes next year. Under a new property tax relief program, the state will pay up to $1,250 of the property tax for Missourians who earn less than $98,000 a year. Gov. Jay Nixon and the State Treasurer Clint Zweifel presented the program as a tax relief proposal to the Missouri Housing Development Commission. It approved the proposal by a vote of seven to one. Nixon’s spokesman Scott Holste said he thinks the program will encourage Missourians to buy houses. "We think this can be a vital part of stimulating home buyership and home building as well by providing this type of property tax relief," Holste said. [ Read More ]
12-18-2009	Fired Up! Missouri: Kinder Casts Lone Vote Against Property Tax Relief For New Homeowners At this morning’s Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) meeting, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder cast the only vote against a proposal to pay the first year of property taxes for working families making less than $98,000 a year who purchase a new or existing Missouri home next year. The grants will be for owner-occupied purchases only. The plan, which is expected to help 9,000-11,000 Missouri families using $15 million in MHDC reserve funds, passed by a 7-1 vote. [ Read More ]
12-18-2009	KMOV.com: Missouri housing agency to help first-time home buyers Missourians who buy a house next year could get their property taxes paid under a $35 million housing plan approved Friday. The Missouri Housing Development Commission approved using $15 million from the federal stimulus package and $20 million from a reserve fund to pay for programs that help first-time home buyers pay for their down payment and closing costs, assist anyone who buys a house in 2010 with their property taxes and encourage the construction of rental properties. Much of the discussion focused on the property tax element. That $15 million program covers up to $1,250 in property taxes per household. It is expected to affect more than 9,000 households. Gov. Jay Nixon and State Treasurer Clint Zweifel proposed the program. Zweifel is chairman of the housing agency’s board of directors, and Nixon is a board member along with several elected officials and six people appointed by the governor. [ Read More ]
12-18-2009	St. Louis Business Journal: New Missouri homeowner tax break wins OK Missourians hoping to buy a home in the year got some good news Friday. The state will pay the first year of property taxes for some residents who buy homes after Jan. 1, 2010, under a plan the [CompanyWatch allows you to receive email alerts with stories related to your companies of interest. You can watch up to ten companies at a time. ] Missouri Housing Development Commission approved. The measure, first proposed by Gov. Jay Nixon and state Treasurer Clint Zweifel last month, passed 7-1. The initiative is expected to provide property tax relief for 9,000 to 11,000 Missouri families. [ Read More ]
12-15-2009	St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Mo. Housing Development board to start webcasting meetings You may have seen our story Friday about the Missouri Housing Development Commission’s plan to give homebuyers in the state a $1,250 tax waiver next year. Now you can watch them vote to make it law. The MHDC said today it plans to webcast its meeting this week, for the first time ever. It’ll be a test run for the software, in the hopes of webcasting all MHDC meetings for all those who can’t make it to Jefferson City on a Friday morning. “As State Treasurer and as Chair of MHDC, time and again I see that government works best when its business is conducted in a transparent and accountable fashion,” said State Treasurer Clint Zweifel. “I asked MHDC staff to look into how we could make webcasting work, and this is our first test as we learn how we can provide this service at all meetings. This is a step in the right direction of continuing to make government more transparent and continuing to build the public trust.” [ Read More ]
12-11-2009	St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Mo. poised to create $1,250 tax rebate for many 2010 homebuyers If you want to buy a house, the state of Missouri wants to give you $1,250. And if you make the place more energy-efficient, it will give you $500 more. State officials are poised to pass a measure next week that would give a sizable break on property taxes to most people who buy a house in 2010. It is Jefferson City’s latest bid to boost the state’s weak housing market, and the newest item on a growing menu of sweeteners to make buying a house more appealing, sweeteners that some warn could eventually cause a hangover. The measure was pitched last month by Gov. Jay Nixon and state Treasurer Clint Zweifel as a way to spur housing sales and spur the state’s economy. [ Read More ]
11-24-2009	Columbia Daily Tribune: Proposed plan would pay a year of property taxes for homebuyers Gov. Jay Nixon and state Treasurer Clint Zweifel are proposing another incentive that encourages people to buy a home: the payment of the first year of property taxes for income-eligible people who buy a new or existing home after Jan. 1. Nixon and Zweifel will ask the Missouri Housing Development Commission at its Dec. 18 meeting to approve a plan in which Missouri families making less than $98,000 a year who buy a home would have their property tax paid up to $1,250. Another $500 would be available if some energy savings are achieved. [ Read More ]
11-24-2009	Springfield Business Journal: State offers property tax payment for 2010 homebuyers State leaders are proposing property tax reductions for income-eligible Missourians who purchase new or existing homes in 2010, according to an announcement Tuesday by Gov. Jay Nixon and State Treasurer Clint Zweifel. If the proposal is approved by the Missouri Housing Development Commission at its Dec. 18 meeting, Missouri households making less than $98,000 annually would have their property taxes paid up to $1,250 if they enter into a contract after Jan. 1. Homebuyers would be eligible for an additional $500 if they purchase an energy-efficient home or make efficiency improvements. [ Read More ]
11-10-2009	Columbia Daily Tribune: Vigil, office closings mark Veterans Day A vigil honoring Boone County veterans began this morning on the Boone County Courthouse grounds and will continue through tomorrow morning in observance of Veterans Day. The vigil, featuring members of the University of Missouri’s ROTC programs, will conclude tomorrow at 11:11 a.m. in front of the Boone County war memorials. Volunteer cadets and midshipmen from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force ROTC programs at MU will form two-person details for the vigil. The Veterans Day parade will begin at 10:40 a.m. tomorrow, starting at the MU Columns and traveling along Eighth Street to the courthouse. At 11 a.m. there will be a ceremony at the courthouse featuring guest speaker Lt. Col. Ronald Tucker, an MU graduate. There will also be a ceremonial signing at the courthouse of a U.S. Army Community Covenant, which signifies a commitment of support for Army soldiers and families. Those scheduled to attend the 10:30 a.m. signing include Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, state Treasurer Clint Zweifel and U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer. Also in observance of Veterans Day, the courthouse and the Boone County Government Center will be closed tomorrow. Post office facilities will be closed, as will the Columbia Housing Authority’s office. Columbia city offices will be open. [ Read More ]
11-02-2009	KBIA: Few Businesses Taking Advantage of Low Interest Loans It’s no secret, Missouri is in an economic slump. Bust so few businesses are applying for low interest loans from the state that officials are worried this stimulus program is a secret to local businesses. [ Read More ]
10-30-2009	Columbia Business Times: People You Should Know: Clint Zweifel JOB DESCRIPTION: I operate as Missouri’s chief financial officer. I manage $20 million in annual state revenues, direct the state’s banking services and manage the state’s $3.5 billion investment portfolio. I also manage Missouri’s Largest Lost & Found, the Unclaimed Property fund, which has $550 million waiting to be claimed by Missourians. Additionally, I chair the state’s housing agency and MOST 529: Missouri’s College Savings Plan. I also sit on the board of the state employees’ pension fund. In my office, I have set economic development, affordable college education and fiscal excellence as priorities in everything we do. EDUCATION: I graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1996. I graduated from UMSL with a Master of Business Administration in 2001. I was also vice president of the UMSL Student Government Association and was editor of The Current, the student newspaper. Not to mention, I also met my wife, Janice, at UMSL. [ Read More ]
10-09-2009	Show Me Progress: Zweifel’s brainchild will improve Missouri’s economy Milind Sant is the CEO of LipoSpectrum, a startup company that holds the exclusive license to a lipid analysis technology developed at Washington University. He could have moved to the East or West Coast with his new startup. The fact that he’s staying in Missouri has a lot to do with the new Linked Deposit program, Treasurer Clint Zweifel’s brainchild. I reported on it in July: The low interest loans are called Linked Deposit Loans. Here’s how they work. If a borrower wants a loan of a hundred dollars to start, say, a t-shirt shop, she goes to the bank, which quotes her a five percent rate on the loan. But then the bank goes to the Treasurer’s office and says, "How about lending our bank $100 at two percent so that we can give this entrepreneur the loan at two percent instead of five?" If the Treasurer’s office agrees, the bank passes that savings along to the borrower: a two percent loan. The new program, which Zweifel shepherded through the legislature last spring with a Republican sponsor in each chamber and with not a single dissenting vote, was officially kicked off at a press conference with Sant on Thursday. Zweifel (pictured above, listening to Sant explain the basics of the lipid analysis machinery) wanted to use LipoSpectrum as a poster child for the program because it exemplifies what we can do for Missouri by combining technological research with private enterprise and government help. Sant saved somewhere between two and three percent on the interest of his loan, which would save him 30 percent of what he eventually pays in interest, according to Zweifel. [ Read More ]
10-08-2009	St. Louis Business Journal: Zweifel to visit LipoSpectrum in St. Louis State Treasurer Clint Zweifel will be in St. Louis Thursday to launch the revamped Missouri Linked Deposit Program, a low-interest loan program he administers. Zweifel plans to visit [CompanyWatch allows you to receive email alerts with stories related to your companies of interest. You can watch up to ten companies at a time. ] LipoSpectrum, a life science company that analyzes lipids from plants, animals and humans using patented technology developed at [CompanyWatch allows you to receive email alerts with stories related to your companies of interest. You can watch up to ten companies at a time. ] Washington University. LipoSpectrum, led by co-founder and Chief Executive Milind Sant and located at the [CompanyWatch allows you to receive email alerts with stories related to your companies of interest. You can watch up to ten companies at a time. ] St. Louis Enterprise Center’s Midtown location, got a $300,000 loan through the program. Zweifel’s office said the program saves borrows an average of 30 percent on interest costs. The loan program, with $720 million in lending power, was expanded under legislation passed this year. [ Read More ]
10-07-2009	St. Louis Beacon: Zweifel to unveil a new version of the Missouri Linked Deposit Program Missouri state Treasurer Clint Zweifel will visit LipoSpectrum, a local life science company, on Thursday to unveil a rebranded and revamped Missouri Linked Deposit Program , a low-interest loan program administered by the treasurer’s office and targeting smaller businesses. Zweifel’s release explains that "borrowers, such as LipoSpectrum, using the loan program save about 30 percent on interest costs." The treasurer plans to "speak about the benefits to small businesses throughout the St. Louis area, and will detail the rebranding the program has undergone to appeal to more borrowers and lenders." The loan program has been around for more than a decade in Missouri, although its name has changed under various treasurers. Zweifel notes that the program "has $720 million in lending power" and "was expanded as part of Invest in Missouri," an economic development measure sought by Zweifel and approved by the Legislature last session. [ Read More ]
10-05-2009	Kansas City Star: Solar and wind projects added to Missouri loan assist program A Missouri low-interest loan program for the first time is covering solar and wind projects when small businesses or homes use them to meet their energy needs. Invest in Missouri is a 25-year-old program in which the state makes deposits in Missouri lending institutions so they can reduce interest rates on certain loans. The program is meant in part to boost the state’s economy and create jobs. The program has until now been entirely focused on helping the state’s small businesses pay for things such as inventory, rent and renovations, and with farmers for such costs as livestock and production expenses. In addition, loans were available for businesses that produce alternative energy, which in Missouri mainly meant ethanol plants. But Clint Zweifel, the Missouri treasurer, said only about $220 million was being used out of the $720 million available for deposits in the program. He suggested some changes, and in the last legislative session the General Assembly approved an expansion and some modifications of what is also referred to as the linked-deposit program. [ Read More ]
09-30-2009	Quincy Herald-Whig: Missouri State Treasurer says more than $500 million in low-interest loans going underutilized State Treasurer Clint Zweifel said state funds available to local banks and businesses that are creating jobs. Zweifel held a press conference at Hannibal Machine Inc., on Wednesday to tout the "new and improved" Missouri Linked Deposit Program. The 20-year-old company expanded into agricultural products this year, with the creation of Tri-State Ag Products, thanks to a low-interest loan from F & M Bank of Hannibal. "It takes a full interest point off the loan," said Harold Haycraft, president of Hannibal Machine. Zweifel said the Linked Deposit program has been around for years, but is underutilized. "We have $720 million available and only about $200 million is being used," Zweifel said. [ Read More ]
09-30-2009	Quincy Herald-Whig: Missouri State Treasurer says more than $500 million in low-interest loans going underutilized State Treasurer Clint Zweifel said state funds available to local banks and businesses that are creating jobs. Zweifel held a press conference at Hannibal Machine Inc., on Wednesday to tout the "new and improved" Missouri Linked Deposit Program. The 20-year-old company expanded into agricultural products this year, with the creation of Tri-State Ag Products, thanks to a low-interest loan from F & M Bank of Hannibal. "It takes a full interest point off the loan," said Harold Haycraft, president of Hannibal Machine. Zweifel said the Linked Deposit program has been around for years, but is underutilized. "We have $720 million available and only about $200 million is being used," Zweifel said. [ Read More ]
09-30-2009	KHQA: Mo. Treasurer in Hannibal he low interest loan program for small businesses and farmers called Missouri Linked Deposit Program has been expanded to help more people qualify. Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel was in Hannibal Wedensday, September 30th to talk about the program. It lets qualified applicants borrow low-interest loans so they can increase operations, reinvest or refinance. Zweifel says the program is not being used as much as it could be, only about 30%, or $200 million, of the money available for the program is currently being used. [ Read More ]
09-30-2009	Hannibal Courier-Post: State treasurer touts revised low-interest loan program Clint Zweifel knows the key role that small businesses will play in the economic recovery. That is why one of his first duties as state treasurer was to try and revamp the Missouri Linked Deposit Program. “There are lots of economic development programs that you hear about in the news, but most of those aren’t targeted to Missouri’s smallest businesses. Those are the businesses that need the most help during an economic downturn and those are the businesses that are actually going to grow the most during an upturn,” he said during a stop at the Courier-Post Wednesday morning. [ Read More ]
09-26-2009	Columbia Daily Tribune: The Tribune’s View: MHDC Soon after Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel became chairman of the Missouri Housing Development Commission, he proposed conflict-of-interest reforms. Soon enough, the entire commission agreed. The reforms were obviously needed, not because egregious fraud had occurred but because it was possible for commissioners to do undetected business with developers seeking tax benefits approved by the commission, posing obvious dangers. The issue came to the fore over an incident involving local developer Jeff Smith, who has built a number of low-income housing units with the tax-subsidized program. [ Read More ]
09-09-2009	KSDK-NBC St. Louis: Plan will help Missouri parents save for college Treasurer Clint Zweifel on KSDK in St. Louis. [ Read More ]
09-07-2009	Show Me Progress: State Treasurer Clint Zweifel on Labor Day I got this earlier in the weekend, but while enjoying my day off with a jog wearing my Teamsters T-Shirt from Yearly Kos 2007, I thought about it again: Labor Day has special meaning to my family as we celebrate and recognize the achievements and progress of working families in this country. The labor movement helped my parents make investments in me as a child that provided a foundation for future successes. In fact, those investments made it possible for me to be the first person in my family to go to and graduate from college. Stories like this are common in working families throughout the country, and Labor Day is an important time to recognize those stories and the achievements of working families. Feel free to tell your story in comments. [ Read More ]
09-07-2009	Fox 2 St. Louis: St. Louis Celebrates Labor Day with Parade, Other Events There are lots of other family fun events available on this Labor Day. The greater St. Louis Labor Council is proud to support the annual event. It’s a time when labor supporters celebrate the contributions of the American workforce, often considered the backbone of the nation’s growth and economic health. Sadly for many Americans, unemployment is a bitter pill to swallow this Labor Day. Seven million jobs disappeared over the past two years. But this annual tradition for the St. Louis Labor Council is a must attend for local leaders. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and state treasurer Clint Zweifel are set to march in the parade, along with St. Louis Mayor Francis slay and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley. The parade starts at 15th and Olive. It heads east to Tucker, then down to Market, and back west to 15th Street. [ Read More ]
09-07-2009	Springfield Business Journal: State changes corporate franchise tax, loan program Another law that took effect Aug. 28 expanded the state’s Linked Deposit loan program, which gives qualified borrowers access to loans at 2 percent to 3 percent below the market average interest rate. The program allows the state treasurer to make deposits that are linked to loans approved by community banks, which elect to participate. The expanded program now covers businesses that employ as many as 100 people, up from the previous limit of 25 employees. Loan limits of $50,000 per employee also have increased to include the costs of capital outlay, physical expansion and renovation. [ Read More ]
08-31-2009	Missourinet: Some fairgoers left Sedalia with more money Some State Fairgoers left with more money than they took to Sedalia. State Treasurer Clint Zweifel has announced that his office returned nearly $46,761 of unclaimed property to 245 people attending the State Fair. More than the property returned, the increased visibility makes a difference says Zweifel. "The number one thing we can do from a marketing perspective with this program right now is to build awareness about it. There are still so many Missourians who don’t know about it," Zweifel says. "We know that if more Missourians know about it, they’re going to be more likely to visit our Web site, put in their last name and they are going to be able to quickly find out if they have any unclaimed property." [ Read More ]
08-13-2009	Columbia Business Times: Zweifel sets up shop at State Fair Most people typically pick up a corn dog or a funnel cake when tranversing around the Missouri State Fair. But state Treasurer Clint Zweifel is offering up something completely different – unclaimed assets. Zweifel announced yesterday that his Unclaimed Property Division will set up shop at the Sedalia extravaganza. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day of the State Fair in the Mathewson Exhibition Center. Attendees will have a chance to search for property, file claims and ask questions. “There is still more than $500 million waiting to be claimed and one in 10 Missourians are entitled to that money,” Zweifel said in a statement. “My team is constantly looking for ways to reach out to Missourians, and with the economy the way it is, there has never been a more important time to get this money back into the hands of owners.” [ Read More ]
08-12-2009	St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Zweifel hawking unclaimed property at state fair in Sedalia Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel could be a popular attraction at this month’s state fair in Sedalia: He’s giving away money. The treasurer’s unclaimed property division will be at the annual exposition, which begins tomorrow and lasts until Aug. 23. According to Zweifel, one in ten Missourians is entitled to a stake of some $500 million in orphaned cash. Zweifel’s team will set up shop at the Mathewson Exhibition Center and be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. [ Read More ]
08-04-2009	Show Me Progress: Good governance is boring With wingnut thugs planning to disrupt every Democratic town hall this August, writing about ethics reform at the Missouri Housing Development Commission is ... tame. That’s the problem with actual good governance: it seems so humdrum that it’s easy to overlook. Fortunately for Missourians, though, Clint Zweifel, their new treasurer and the chair of the MHDC, gets excited about ethics reform. The Housing Commission hands out tax credits to developers for low income housing, and the opportunities for commissioners to abuse their position were rife. And inexcusable. It wasn’t even illegal for them to have personal or financial interests with people coming before the MHDC. [ Read More ]
07-31-2009	Kanas City Star : Mo. Housing Commission discovers ethics The Missouri Housing Development Commission voted Friday to approve new ethics rules after a state audit raised concerns about conflicts of interest. The new ethics package requires housing commissioners and agency staff to disclose conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from decision-making, forces developers seeking state assistance to disclose the project’s owner and development team and makes enforcement easier. All agency officials and employees will be required to file financial disclosure statements with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Commissioners and some high-ranking staff members also will be barred from accepting jobs from people seeking state aid. And developers will have to disclose the hiring of former commissioners or agency staff. [ Read More ]
07-31-2009	St. Louis Business Journal: Mo. housing commission adopts ethics reform The Missouri Housing Development Commission passed ethics reform Friday following a state audit in June that raised ethical concerns about commissioners’ business ties to developers. Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, the agency’s new chairman, said the new standards of conduct require commissioners and staff to identify personal financial conflicts of interest and not have business relationships with applicants. The state housing agency uses tax credits and tax-free bonds to help finance construction of affordable houses and apartments. Earlier this month, Gov. Jay Nixon appointed John Temporiti, a St. Louis lawyer and former Mayflower Transit president, to serve on the commission. The commission next meets Aug. 28. [ Read More ]
07-28-2009	KY3 : More Missourians saying, ’show me money’ It’s a sweet reward, one Jan Carroll never knew about. "I was very surprised," said Carroll. She recently received 300 dollars from the state treasurer’s office. "My dad would always buy property and he would sell it but he’d always maintain the mineral rights. He bought it for the mineral rights and there was a farm here in Missouri which he owned and I think that it’s probably from that," she said. Missouri law requires businesses to turn over unclaimed property to the state if they haven’t had contact with the owner in five years and it’s not always cash. Sometimes it’s the contents of a safe deposit box. State Treasurer Clint Zweifel has seen it all. "There’s items like a princess Diana doll that would be in there. Items like a pearl necklace. Lots of different things like that. Family notes that have been left inside," said Zweifel. This year his office returned a record 75-thousand accounts totaling more than 26 million. [ Read More ]
07-25-2009	The Examiner: Treasurer focused on small business The Independence Chamber of Commerce’s legislative briefing Friday morning marked several firsts. It was the first time that State Treasurer Clint Zweifel briefed local business professionals. It was the chamber’s first legislative briefing outside of the normal Missouri General Assembly session. It was the first briefing without Independence resident Pat Barnhard, who had previously organized the briefings. State Rep. Paul LeVota, D-Independence, remembered Barnhard, who most recently served as the chamber’s governmental affairs chairman. Barnhard died unexpectedly July 14 at age 41. “(Clint Zweifel) is here because my friend Pat Barnhard said, ‘We want the new state treasurer here,’” LeVota said. “We talk a lot about moving our city ahead, and I’m just going to miss Pat. We’ve got a lot of things going on in Independence, and our statewide people should know about that – Pat understood that.” Zweifel, 35, is Missouri’s youngest state treasurer in more than 100 years. A Democrat, he is the first person in his family to attend college. He previously served in the Missouri House of Representatives for six years. [ Read More ]
07-22-2009	The Rolla Daily News: State Treasurer Zweifel urges importance of new legislation Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel was at Missouri S&T on Tuesday to promote the recently passed “Invest in Missouri” legislation. “When we started to put this legislation together, we looked at how important it was Missourians needed our help now,” Zweifel told S&T faculty and local residents at the Butler-Carlton Engineering building. Invest in Missouri, which was passed in June and goes into effect at the end of August, has two components. One, an expansion of the existing program, Missouri Linked Deposit (MLDP), and the removal of the statutory-interest rate cap on the state’s time deposits. The MLDP provides funds to community banks that provide low-interest loans, which save borrowers 2 to 3 percent, for small businesses in any field. The program, however, was only using about 30 percent of its $720 million, according to Zweifel. [ Read More ]
07-21-2009	KY3 Political Notebook: Zweifel Touts Low-Interest Loan Program State Treasurer Clint Zweifel was in Springfield Tuesday to tout passage of a program that’s designed to help more small businesses and farmers secure low-interest loans. The expanded linked deposit program allows applicants to borrow loans at lower interest rates. "Folks, it passed unanimously, which doesn’t happen very often in our business," said Zweifel in at Great Southern Bank in Springfield. [ Read More ]
07-21-2009	Springfield Business Journal: Treasurer visits Springfield about loan program State Treasurer Clint Zweifel was in Springfield on Tuesday as part of a statewide effort to spread the word about recently approved changes to a state small-business loan program. During its last legislative session, the Missouri General Assembly passed legislation dubbed "Invest in Missouri," which made changes to the state’s Linked Deposit Program. The Linked Deposit Program offers small businesses the ability to borrow up to $50,000 at below-market interest rates to hire workers, purchase equipment or pay off debt. [ Read More ]
07-21-2009	: Zweifel Spreads Word On Low-Interest Loans Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel was in Springfield Tuesday morning to talk about new expansions in the low-interest loan program known as the Missouri Linked Deposit Program. KSMU’s Jennifer Moore attended the press conference and has this report. [ Read More ]
07-21-2009	Ozarks First: Zweifel Visits Springfield to Promote "Invest in Missouri" State Treasurer Clint Zweifel was in Springfield on Tuesday talking about the low interest loan program called "Invest in Missouri." The program will allow more small businesses and farms to use the Missouri linked deposit program. With the new money, business owners can hire more workers and increase their operations. Regardless of the market interest rates, people who use this program will receive a rate at a discount of two to three percent. [ Read More ]
07-21-2009	Springfield Business Journal: State expands small-business loan program When John Billings wanted to expand his business a few years ago, he began looking for a lending partner. The loan he found for his Springfield cabinet business, Billings & Associates Fine Woodworking LLC, was from an unlikely source: the state of Missouri. Billings borrowed more than $700,000 through two loans from the state’s Linked Deposit loan program. He used the money to construct a new facility and purchase more computerized equipment for his 10-employee company. The program allows the state to make deposits that are linked to loans approved by individual state banks. Qualified borrowers receive loans at 2 percent to 3 percent below the market average interest rate. For instance, Billings said his 2007 loan rate was 4.7 percent when most banks were offering him loans above 6 percent. [ Read More ]
07-12-2009	Show Me Progress: Invest in Missouri: an example of up-to-date plumbing "Bipartisan usually means that a larger-than-usual deception is being carried out." --George Carlin Hmm. Treasurer Clint Zweifel’s legislative initiative Invest in Missouri sailed through the legislature this spring with not a single no vote, and Nixon was glad to sign it into law. In fact, the House and Senate sponsors were both Republicans (Rep. Tim Flook, Liberty; Sen. David Pearce, Warrensburg). But Carlin would have no cause to smile cynically on this one. There’s no boondoggle about it. It’s purely good policy. Invest in Missouri aims to create and retain jobs and to reinvest cash in our state economy. This new program has two branches: the first offers low interest loans to small businesses; the second deposits money in Missouri banks. [ Read More ]
07-10-2009	Columbia Daily Tribune: Web site will post officials’ pensions Pension benefits for Missouri’s elected officials and judges will now be posted online. The Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System voted yesterday to publish the retirement benefits for former public officials on its Web site, www.mosers.org. Last month, the agency decided to create a searchable database of its employees’ salaries. Those numbers have always been public records, but anyone seeking the information had to make a specific request. State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, who serves on the retirement board, said government should be open and accountable. [ Read More ]
07-09-2009	St. Louis Labor Tribune: Zweifel’s first major law wins unanimous victory; signed by Governor Nixon into law The value of having a union member, and a worker-oriented governor, in key state-wide positions of political leadership proved its value last week when Governor Jay Nixon signed into law an economic development bill that will invest more than a billion dollars into local communities, creating new jobs and helping small businesses grow. The bill, called “Invest in Missouri” was the brainchild of State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, a veteran member of Teamsters Local 688 here in St. Louis and a state legislator before running for treasurer. It was Zweifel’s first major piece of legislation proposed since he took office in January, an effort that caps a successful and fast start for the state treasurer for only being in office seven months. And much to everyone’s surprise, the bill passed both houses of the legislature without a single “no” vote! [ Read More ]
07-09-2009	: Missouri retirement fund to post pension benefits Pension benefits for Missouri’s elected officials and judges may now be viewed online. The Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System voted Thursday to publish the retirement benefits for former public officials on its Web site. Last month, the agency decided to create a searchable database of its employees’ salaries. Those numbers have always been public records, but anyone seeking the information had to make a specific request. State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, who serves on the retirement board, says government should be open and accountable. [ Read More ]
07-02-2009	Missourinet: Treasurer sees great potential in low-interest program Even in an extremely low-interest financial environment, the State Treasurer is pushing a program to drive interest rates even lower for small businesses and farms. Much of Invest in Missouri seeks to bring more money into Missouri through the removal of an artificial cap on interest rate returns. But another part of the program championed by Treasurer Clint Zweifel seeks to increase participation in the state Linked Deposit program. At present, the state has $200 million in loans out to small businesses and farms. He would like to push that to the maximum $720 million. [ Read More ]
07-01-2009	The Lake Gazette: Unclaimed property notices help people claim cash With Missouri still facing extraordinary economic times, State Treasurer Clint Zweifel is a launching a statewide campaign to connect the public with Missouri’s Largest Lost and Found, its Unclaimed Property Division. Treasurer Zweifel is teaming up with newspapers across the state on a campaign that used more than 110 newspapers to list 80,000 names of Missourians who have had property turned over to the state over the past year. Most of the property is checks and insurance proceeds, but it can include trading cards, antique dolls and clothes. If you see your name and former or present address listed in a local newspaper, you have unclaimed property waiting to be retrieved. “We want to give these items back to their owners, and there has never been a better time to do so,” Treasurer Zweifel said. “The claims process is completely free of charge and my office works to expedite the process in order to return property to the owners as quickly as possible.” [ Read More ]
06-30-2009	Liberty Tribune: Governor signs Invest In Missouri legislation State Treasurer Clint Zweifel’s economic development legislation, Invest In Missouri, was signed by Gov. Jay Nixon on Monday, June 29, at stops in St. Louis and Kansas City. The legislation reinvests $1 billion in Missouri communities. "Invest In Missouri is about creating and retaining Missouri jobs and reinvesting more than $1 billion in Missouri communities," Zweifel said. "Invest In Missouri enables us to expand investments in small business, manufacturing, green technologies, family farms and community banks." [ Read More ]
06-29-2009	Kansas City Star: New law expands investments for Missouri treasurer Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation Monday that expands a low-interest loan program and lets Missouri earn more interest on the money it keeps in local banks. The new law was a priority for Treasurer Clint Zweifel, who described it as an economic development tool that could push the state’s investment in Missouri banks to more than $1 billion. Zweifel was with Nixon on ceremonial bill signings Monday in St. Louis and Kansas City. [ Read More ]
06-29-2009	St. Louis Business Journal: Nixon signs bill ending bank deposit rate cap Gov. Jay Nixon visited the [CompanyWatch allows you to receive email alerts with stories related to your companies of interest. You can watch up to ten companies at a time. ] St. Louis Minority Business Council on Monday to sign legislation that reforms Missouri’s linked-deposit program and the interest rate the state collects on general time deposits at community banks. The changes could make more money available for loans to Missouri businesses and generate better investment returns on taxpayer dollars. [ Read More ]
06-29-2009	Associated Press: RIGHT NOW: Weekend Events: June 19-21 Nixon to sign bill letting Mo. earn more interest on deposits, expand linked-deposit program Gov. Jay Nixon and State Treasurer Clint Zweifel are heading to St. Louis and Kansas City to sign legislation that could allow Missouri to earn more interest on its deposits. Missouri limits the amount of interest state government can earn from local banks on time deposits. The legislation would eliminate the interest cap by 2014. The bill also broadens Missouri’s linked-deposit program. Under that program, the treasurer deposits money in banks at lower interest rates so that the banks can offer cheaper loans to small businesses and agricultural projects. Signing ceremonies are scheduled for Monday. Zweifel during the legislative session had urged lawmakers to approve the changes. [ Read More ]
06-29-2009	Poplar Bluff News: Clint Zweifel on Rewards From Deposits State Treasurer Clint Zweifel says a minor change in state law will make a major difference in the rewards Missouri reaps from its deposits. Zweifel championed the "Invest in Missouri" bill during the legislative session that breezed through the legislature, which is an understatement. The bill never received a "No" vote; . For the past 50 years, Missouri law has placed a cap on interest earned by tying it to the return of short-term US Treasury securities. The Treasurer’s Office says that yield hit a low of 0.20% this year. The restriction will be phased out over a five-year period. Zweifel says bi-partisan support was the key to easy passage of measure. Also, a faltering economy might have helped focus the attention of legislators on the weak return the state had been getting. [ Read More ]
06-23-2009	Kansas City Star: Zweifel: Ethics policy for MHDC is top priority State Treasurer Clint Zweifel on Tuesday outlined several rules he wants included in an updated code of conduct for the Missouri Housing Development Commission . The commission finances housing development for people with low and moderate incomes and administers several state and federal housing programs and tax credits. It has long been criticized for inefficiency and mismanagement and officials recently have acknowledged an FBI investigation into its practices. Zweifel became chairman of the commission last month, after taking office as treasurer in January. Amidst all the controversy over its management, the commission has been in talks for years about reworking its code of conduct to better guide relations between commission members and developers receiving assistance. On Tuesday, Zweifel said updating the code was his "top and immediate priority." [ Read More ]
06-23-2009	Fired Up! Missouri: Zweifel pushes ethics reform at MHDC Today, Treasurer Clint Zweifel called for a series of reforms to remove conflicts of interest for members of the Missouri Housing Development Commission. [ Read More ]
06-23-2009	Columbia Daily Tribune: Treasurer strict on housing panel policies State housing commission members have no business doing business with developers or anyone else who has an interest with the state agency. That’s the opinion of state Treasurer Clint Zweifel, the newly elected chairman of the Missouri Housing Development Commission. Zweifel said today it was unacceptable that after two years the commission hasn’t adopted a stronger standards of conduct policy that prohibits conflicts of interest among its members and staff. [ Read More ]
06-23-2009	St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Clint Zweifel seeks ethics policy for housing commission State Treasurer Clint Zweifel called Tuesday for a new ethics policy aimed at preventing state housing commissioners from having private financial relationships with developers who receive subsidies. Zweifel is the new chairman of the Missouri Housing Development Commission, which hands out millions of dollars in tax credits each year to finance apartments and single-family homes for low-income people. [ Read More ]
06-23-2009	Capitol Calling on YouTube: Video: Zweifel presses for MHDC changes State Treasurer Clint Zweifel discusses potential changes to the Missouri Housing Development Commission. [ Read More ]
06-20-2009	Fired Up! Missouri: Zweifel champions sunshine by announcing MHDC Investigation No law required him to do it. Many won’t be happy he did it. But new State Treasurer Clint Zweifel has again taken the high road of public openness--- this time by publicly announcing a federal investigation of the Missouri Housing Development Commission. [ Read More ]
06-19-2009	St. Louis Business Journal: MOSERS to post staff pay online Compensation for the [CompanyWatch allows you to receive email alerts with stories related to your companies of interest. You can watch up to ten companies at a time. ] Missouri State Employees Retirement System’s staff will now be posted on the system’s Web site. State Treasurer Clint Zweifel introduced the motion, which passed Thursday at the MOSERS board meeting. Previously a Sunshine Law request was needed to obtain the information. “We cannot have a full and open discussion and review of bonus pay if Missourians do not know the scope of what they are paying for at MOSERS and for their officials,” Zweifel said. [ Read More ]
06-19-2009	St. Louis Beacon: Zweifel claims credit for getting MOSERS pay posted on the Web State Treasurer Clint Zweifel is claiming credit for forcing public disclosure of the staff salaries paid by the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System. Zweifel, a Democrat, says he introduced the open-records motion, which passed at Thursday’s meeting of the MOSERS board. The staff pay soon will be available on the Internet . Today’s release by his office notes that "previously a Sunshine Law request was needed to obtain the information." The action comes as MOSERS has come under fire for paying staff bonuses . "Government functions best when its business is conducted in an open and accountable environment," Zweifel said. "Missourians deserve to know where their tax dollars are being spent, and this is a step in making that information easier to obtain." [ Read More ]
06-12-2009	Missourinet: Invest in Missouri becomes law, state to reap benefits State Treasurer Clint Zweifel says a minor change in state law will make a major difference in the rewards Missouri reaps from its deposits. Zweifel championed the "Invest in Missouri" bill during the legislative session that breezed through the legislature, which is likely an understatement. The bill never received a "No" vote; not in committee and not on the floor of the House or the Senate. Governor Nixon has now signed the bill into law. It takes effect at the end of August. [ Read More ]
06-11-2009	St. Louis Post-Dispatch: After years in Hazelwood, Zweifel moves family to Columbia State Treasurer Clint Zweifel has had enough of the elected commuter life. After three terms in the State House forced him to travel from his home in north St. Louis County to the state Capitol, the Democrat has sold his home in Hazelwood and moved to Columbia, just down the highway from his new Jefferson City office. Zweifel, 35, was elected to statewide office in November. [ Read More ]
06-10-2009	St. Louis Beacon: Zweifel claims record for giving Missourians their property back Missouri state Treasurer Clint Zweifel announced this morning that, with less than three weeks to go in this fiscal year, his office already has set a record this fiscal year by finding the owners of 71,406 unclaimed property accounts. The state treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Division is the depository for "abandoned assets from bank accounts, stocks, bonds, insurance policy proceeds, government refunds, utility deposits, wages from past jobs and contents of safe deposit boxes." [ Read More ]
05-28-2009	Joplin Globe: Guest columnist: Savings plan puts small resources to work In the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office, we are always working on the state’s investments for taxpayers. Today, May 29, national 529 College Savings Day, we’d like to take a step back and look at the investments Missourians are making in children’s higher education each and every day. Each year, 529 College Savings Day promotes the importance of setting aside money for children early and often in a 529 College Savings Plan. Missouri’s plan is MOST 529. In these tough economic times, it becomes even more important to remember there are small investments we can all make that can pay big dividends in the future. [ Read More ]
05-26-2009	St. Louis Business Journal: Zweifel to chair Missouri Housing Development Commission Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel will become chairman of the Missouri Housing Development Commission, effective July 31. The commission on Friday also unanimously approved a homeownership refinance package that targets responsible homeowners needing help refinancing existing mortgages, but who do not qualify for the federal government’s Making Home Affordable Refinance Program or refinancing through the private sector. [ Read More ]
05-12-2009	St. Louis Business Journal: Invest in Missouri bills head to governor Bills that would reform both Missouri’s linked-deposit program and the interest rate the state collects on general time deposits at community banks are heading to Gov. Jay Nixon’s desk for signature into law after being passed unanimously in both the state House and Senate. The legislation, known as Invest in Missouri, has been spearheaded by Treasurer Clint Zweifel since February. [ Read More ]
05-07-2009	The Joplin Globe: In our view: Agreeing on changes As much as we call out legislators who we think do the wrong thing, we should also point out cases where we believe they get it right. In the case of a bill changing how the state manages its investments, we’d like to point out every single representative and senator. The Invest in Missouri bill didn’t receive a single “no” vote throughout its trip through the Legislature. Earlier this week, the House approved the final version of the bill and sent it to the governor’s desk with a 155-0 vote. The House has 163 members, so eight didn’t cast votes. [ Read More ]
05-06-2009	Springfield Business Journal: Bill expanding linked deposit loan program headed to Nixon Legislation expanding the Missouri Linked Deposit Program, which provides low-interest loans to small businesses and farms, is headed to Gov. Jay Nixon for final approval. The Missouri House of Representatives unanimously approved Senate Bill 542 - sponsored by Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg - on Monday, according to a news release from the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office. Newly elected State Treasurer Clint Zweifel championed the legislation expanding the program, which his office administers. The Missouri Linked Deposit Program is designed to place state funds with community banks at below-market interest rates so those banks can loan the money to borrowers at a reduced rate - typically a discount of 2 percent to 3 percent. Only about a third of the program’s $720 million statutory annual cap is reached each year. [ Read More ]
05-06-2009	St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Missouri treasurer sorting unclaimed property JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel is giving away money. His office is in charge of sorting through unclaimed property, and it’s the time of year where they have to start looking through the owners. They get everything in unclaimed safe deposit boxes, including money ($550 million in 3.5 million accounts, this year) and, as seen in the picture, gold coins. “We had a story where we returned thousands of dollars to an elderly woman, and she was being evicted because the building was being demolished. This money helped her find a new place to live,” Zweifel said in a news release. “Now, not every story is like that, but there are a lot, and that is why is critical we return this money. It can be a real addition to their pocketbooks.” [ Read More ]
05-05-2009	Missourinet: Treasurer Zweifel pleased with passage if ’Invest in Missouri’ The "Invest in Missouri" initiative, spearheaded by State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, has passed the House and Senate and now heads to Gov. Nixon to be signed into law. [ Read More ]
05-05-2009	KSDK-NBC St. Louis: Could the state of Missouri have your money or property? Tuesday morning, Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel is set to open up a number of recently acquired safe deposit boxes in Jefferson City. [ Read More ]
05-05-2009	KCTV 5: Mo. Looks For Unclaimed Property Owners JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — From cash to collectibles, if someone has left it behind in a safety deposit box, the state of Missouri has got it. “We found a safety deposit box, and the only thing in it was a ski mask, a gun and a change of clothes. Needless to say, we never found that individual,” said Scott Harper, director of unclaimed property division. The agency inherits safety deposit boxes that go unclaimed. It’s called Missouri’s largest “lost and found" — anything that has been left untouched in a bank or other business entity for longer than five years ends up in the state’s Treasury Department in Jefferson City. [ Read More ]
05-05-2009	KRCG: Have any unclaimed property? JEFFERSON CITY -- A Princess Diana wedding doll heads the list of intriguing items in the state treasurer’s unclaimed property office. The items have been left behind in bank boxes across the state when someone dies and no heir is readily identified. The office uses advanced technology to track down people with legitimate claims to that property. "We actually just reorganized our state treasurer’s Web site so that from any place on the site you can actually search for unclaimed property. So it’s easy to do,” said Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel. The treasurer’s Web site is www.treasrurer.mo.gov. Last year, the office returned a record $34.5 million in unclaimed property. This year, the office looks to break the record for the number of cleared accounts, with was set in 2005 at more than 71,000. [ Read More ]
05-05-2009	Columbia Daily Tribune: House approves bank deposit bill The Missouri House late yesterday sent Gov. Jay Nixon a piece of significant but noncontroversial legislation that could allow Missouri government to earn more interest on its deposits in state banks. [ Read More ]
05-04-2009	Fox 2 St. Louis: Missouri Looking For Owners Of Half Billion Dollars In Unclaimed Property With the economy the way it is who couldn’t use a few extra bucks or maybe even thousands. The state of Missouri has a half billion dollars worth of unclaimed property most of it is cash. [ Read More ]
05-04-2009	St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Treasurer Zweifel gets his legislative package passed A bill championed by State Treasurer Clint Zweifel just cleared the Missouri House and is on its way to the governor. The bill (SB542) phases out a statutory cap on the amount of interest the state can earn on its bank deposits. [ Read More ]
05-04-2009	MSN Money: Mo. approves bill removing cap on interest rates Legislators gave final approval Monday to a bill that could allow Missouri to earn more interest on its money while making more cash available for loans to private businesses. [ Read More ]
05-04-2009	Fox 4 KC: Mo. approves bill removing cap on interest rate earned on state deposits Legislation phasing out the cap on interest rates that Missouri banks pay on state deposits is on the way to Gov. Jay Nixon. ... The measure was a priority of state Treasurer Clint Zweifel. [ Read More ]
05-02-2009	Show Me Progress: Truman Days in Kansas City: Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel spoke at the brunch at Truman Days this morning. [ Read More ]
04-27-2009	CNBC: Video: Treasurer Zweifel on CNBC’s Squawk Box Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box. [ Read More ]
04-27-2009	CNBC: Interview with Clint Zweifel Watch Clint’s national cable television interview with Carl Quintanilla of CNBC’s Squawk Box. [ Read More ]
04-21-2009	KY3 Political Notebook: Zweifel Opens It Up State Treasurer Clint Zweifel has launched a new website that’s meant to make it easier to track down government records. The site includes new documents that haven’t ever before been published online. [ Read More ]
04-21-2009	Springfield News-Leader: State treasurer makes documents easier to locate online State Treasurer Clint Zweifel is getting into the business of promoting open and transparent government, making it easier to find documents on his office’s Web site. [ Read More ]
04-20-2009	St. Louis Business Journal: Zweifel’s linked-deposit bills move forward Bills that would reform both Missouri’s linked-deposit program and the interest rate the state collects on general time deposits at community banks are moving forward in the General Assembly. [ Read More ]
04-16-2009	St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Missouri to collect more interest — eventually The state will collect more interest on its bank deposits — but not right away — under a compromise hammered out among the banking industry, legislators and state Treasurer Clint Zweifel. [ Read More ]
03-29-2009	97.1 FM Talk St. Louis: Insider Talk With Rodney Boyd: Interview With Treasurer Clint Zweifel Listen in each week as Rodney Boyd goes in-depth one on one with unique, high profile guests. These interviews go beyond the regular issues of the day to uncover the "real" personalities of the people in the headlines, anywhere from influential local politicians to entertainment movers and shakers. Rodney can also be heard weekdays on Allman In The Morning. [ Read More ]
03-27-2009	St. Louis Business Journal: Missouri treasurer Clint Zweifel gets bankers to end rate cap Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel is a step closer to providing state taxpayers, small businesses and community banks with a needed shot in the arm. Zweifel has secured backing for legislation that would reform both Missouri’s linked-deposit program and the interest rate the state collects on general time deposits at community banks. If passed, the changes could make more money available for loans to Missouri businesses and generate better investment returns on taxpayer dollars. State law currently caps the rate of return on general time deposits to match the U.S. Treasury yield, which has recently been as low as 0.2 percent. The old statute gave community banks access to cheap money but also encouraged the treasurer to make deposits outside Missouri to reap better rates of return. Zweifel wants to remove that cap, which could earn taxpayers about $10 million more a year, Zweifel said. It would also encourage the treasurer to deposit more money in community banks, providing them with greater liquidity. [ Read More ]
03-27-2009	St. Louis Business Journal: Editorial: Unlikely coalition, sensible compromise [N]ewly elected State Treasurer Clint Zweifel of St. Louis County has worked patiently and cautiously with Republican Rep. Tim Flook of Liberty and Republican Sen. David Pearce of Warrensburg as well as the Missouri Bankers Association to reform Missouri’s Linked Deposit Program and the interest rate the state collects on general time deposits in community banks. [ Read More ]
03-27-2009	Springfield News-Leader: Economic bill aims to foster state investment Jefferson City — Banks would be required to pay the state market-rate interest rates when they accept deposits from the state of Missouri under a bill passed out of a Senate committee by a 6-0 vote Thursday. Advertisement State Treasurer Clint Zweifel estimates taxpayers could get $10 million more annually in interest earnings from the state’s deposits in community banks across Missouri if caps on interest rates are removed. Zweifel, a Democrat, testified before the Senate Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee in favor a bill sponsored by Republican Sen. David Pearce of Warrensburg. The bill is the basis of Zweifel’s "Invest in Missouri" plan, which implements changes to how the state invests taxpayer money in banks. [ Read More ]
03-27-2009	Missourinet: Senate committee approves linked deposit loan program changes A Senate committee has approved and sent to the full Senate SB 542 - a bill that would expand eligibility for the state’s linked deposit loan program. State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, testifying on behalf of the legislation which he calls the Invest in Missouri plan, sees the proposal as an initiative to create and retain Missouri jobs and to reinvest one-billion dollars in Missouri communities. Part of the proposal would encourage greater use of low-interest loans to farms and small businesses. Administratively, the approval process for loans would be cut from three to six weeks down to one week. In addition, a cap on the interest rate that is earned in Missouri banks would be phased out over a four or five year period to create a more competetive marketplace for returns. Zweifel says the cap provides a disincentive to invest in the state. Similar legislation - HB 883 - is under consideration in the House. [ Read More ]
03-26-2009	KSPR-ABC Springfield: Missouri Treasurer Makes Deal to Get More Money into Local Banks JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - More of Missouri’s money could be placed in local banks as a result of a legislative deal between bankers and the state treasurer. The deal could make more money available for loans to Missouri businesses, farmers and public entities. It also could earn better interest rates for state government. The legislation endorsed Thursday by a Senate committee would phase out a cap on the interest rate charged to banks for Missouri deposits. Treasurer Clint Zweifel (ZWY’-fel) says that will give his office a financial incentive to place more money in local banks instead of out-of-state investments. The bill also expands eligibility for an existing program that places Missouri money in banks at below-market interest rates so that it can be loaned at cheaper rates to certain businesses. [ Read More ]
03-26-2009	Associated Press: Mo. treasurer, banks strike deal on deposits JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- More of Missouri’s money could be placed in local banks as a result of a legislative deal between bankers and the state treasurer. The agreement could make more money available for loans to Missouri businesses, farmers and public entities. It also could earn better interest rates for state government. Banks had opposed to a plan announced earlier this year by Treasurer Clint Zweifel to eliminate a cap on the interest rate charged to banks on Missouri deposits. Missouri and Alabama are the only states still limiting the interest they can earn on time deposits. But Zweifel struck a compromise with the Missouri Bankers Association that would phase out the interest-rate cap between 2010 and 2014. [ Read More ]
03-16-2009	Columbia Daily Tribune: Deal pays state better rates on money Missouri government could earn more interest on its deposits under an agreement between state Treasurer Clint Zweifel and the Missouri Bankers Association to gradually increase the interest rate local banks pay for state time deposits. The agreement also expands the banks’ low-interest loan program for small businesses. Zweifel and Max Cook, MBA president and chief operating officer, said that under the agreement, banks would gradually phase in the payment of competitive interest rates for state deposits. At the same time, the state’s linked deposit program, which loans money through local banks at low interest to small businesses, will grow to serve companies of 100 or fewer employees. [ Read More ]
03-13-2009	Time Warner Cable Newsmakers: Interview with Clint Zweifel Barbra Porter interviews Treasurer Clint Zweifel on Time Warner Cable Newsmakers. [ Read More ]
03-13-2009	St. Joseph News-Press: Our Opinion: Ease rules to boost business The credit crisis has reminded us of a thing or two about good lending practices: The best loans are made when the borrower and lender know each other, and when they both have a stake in the venture succeeding. Small businesses and a healthy banking system will be critical in recovering from the recession, but the current economic turmoil has threatened their stability. A proposal before the Missouri General Assembly addresses these concerns and deserves to be approved. The Small Business Linked Deposit Program is an existing program that enables banks to lend to small business at an interest rate with a 2 percent to 3 percent discount. Regulatory obstacles, however, have caused the program to be utilized at about one-third of its $750 million capacity. The Invest in Missouri reforms from Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel would expand the program from businesses with fewer than 25 employees to those with up to 100 full-time workers; allow farmers who have more than 60 percent equity in their operation to participate; and speed up loan approvals by weeks. [ Read More ]
03-12-2009	St. Joseph News-Press: Treasurer touts plans to bolster investment It’s one tool, admits Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel, but he believes his plan could help pep up the state’s sagging economy. Mr. Zweifel was in St. Joseph talking up his Invest in Missouri proposal. The measure has been introduced in the Missouri Legislature. “It’s a way to touch on the economy in ways we can agree upon,” Mr. Zweifel said. His plan involves two proposals and would not costs taxpayers, but only change regulations to make more money available. [ Read More ]
03-08-2009	St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Missouri considers removing interest rate cap on state’s deposits Consumers aren’t the only ones frustrated by low interest rates. State Treasurer Clint Zweifel says the state is getting less than 1 percent in interest for the millions he keeps in Missouri banks, and he wants the banks to pay more. [ Read More ]
03-06-2009	KSHB NBC Action News: Zweifel Pushes for Invest in Missouri Plan LIBERTY, Mo. - Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel is pushing a plan he says will create jobs and return millions to Missouri taxpayers. Zweifel stopped in Liberty Friday to explain the “Invest in Missouri" plan. It’s a bill moving through the legislature which would remove the cap on what taxpayers can earn on their deposits in banks. The plan would also reinvest $1 billion dollars with small Missouri banks to help free up more loans for businesses. “There’s zero risk to taxpayers and zero cost. We’re depending on our community banking system to take those risks and mitigate those risks and understand their customers,” says Zweifel. He says if passed the measure would immediately provide $250 million for investment. [ Read More ]
03-04-2009	Southeast Missourian: Review those limits on Missouri’s funds invested in state banks Here’s an opportunity for the state to handle its finances like a prudent family would: by seeking the best and safest earnings on investments At any given time, Missouri has $250 million to $500 million deposited in banks across the state. By law, the interest earned by these deposits is linked to treasury-bill rates. If the state invested its funds at higher certificate-of-deposit rates, the state could earn $10 million to $15 million more a year. Clint Zweifel, the state treasurer, was in Cape Girardeau recently to push for a repeal of the state law that ties interest paid for state funds to treasury bills. [ Read More ]
03-03-2009	The Joplin Globe: In our view: Great proposal needs tweak Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel has a way to create more jobs without spending an extra dime of taxpayer money. Zweifel visited Joplin last week as part of a statewide tour for the “Invest in Missouri” legislation, which is sponsored by Rep. Tim Flook, R-Liberty, in the House and Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, in the Senate. The plan involves the elimination of a cap on interest-rate return. Currently, Missouri can invest taxpayer money under the terms of its cap, thus guaranteeing less-than-desirable earnings. [ Read More ]
02-27-2009	Springfield News-Leader: Treasurer wants rate-cap removal Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel was in Springfield Thursday touting a plan that he said would create jobs, invest millions of dollars in communities and increase returns for taxpayers. The legislation, titled Invest in Missouri, would accomplish these goals without any new spending or new programs, Zweifel said. [ Read More ]
02-26-2009	Joplin Globe: Treasurer touts legislation to expand jobs, investment Missouri’s new state treasurer came to Joplin on Thursday to boost proposed legislation he said would increase state revenues and jobs. Clint Zweifel, who took office in January, said a bill introduced this week would remove the cap that restricts the amount that can be earned on state money invested in community banks. He said the measure also would expand the guidelines for the Missouri Linked Deposit Program to make more small businesses eligible for loans through the state program. “These are changes that will help at a time when unemployment is up and the economy is hurting,” Zweifel said. [ Read More ]
02-26-2009	Ozarks First: Bill to Invest $1 Billion Dollars Back into Missouri (Springfield, MO) -- Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel made a stop in Springfield Thursday morning to discuss new legislation called Invest in Missouri. The bill was introduced to the House on Wednesday. The plan will focus on creating and retaining good jobs, increasing tax returns and reinvesting one billion dollars in communities throughout the state. A second part of the plan will remove the cap on what taxpayers can earn on their deposits in banks. This will return between $10 to $15 million to tax payers each year. Zweifel says the best part is the plan will not cost you a penny. "This plan has no cost to the tax payers. It focuses simply on job creation and community investment. We can invest one billion dollars additionally inside the state of Missouri and do the right thing for tax payers. We’re just going to use a competitive marketplace to they get the best return possible." says Zweifel. If the bill passes into law, Zweifel says $250 million can be re-invested back into the state immediately. [ Read More ]
02-26-2009	Kansas City Star: Thursday editorial: Expand loan program to create Missouri jobs A loan program called “Big Missouri” is much smaller than it should be. In fact it’s one of the nation’s most underused low-interest borrowing programs. In a day when businesses, farmers and local governments desperately need access to cash, that’s unacceptable. Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel has put forth good ideas for broadening the program to help create jobs and fund local infrastructure projects. The legislature should act quickly to write his measures into law. [ Read More ]
02-26-2009	KOAM TV: State treasurer wants a new law to help reinvest $1 Billion back into Missouri JOPLIN, MO. - Missouri’s State Treasurer Clint Zweifel was in Joplin Thursday to discuss the bill called "Invest in Missouri." The measure would remove interest-rate caps that restrict the amount of return taxpayers earn when their money is invested with community banks. The bill would also put state funds into community banks so that the banks can issue loans to borrowers at reduced rates. The treasurer says these loans would help businesses of all sizes grow. "Just because they have 25 employees, they shouldn’t be kicked out of the program - this helps these businesses grow from the earliest stage, up to a hundred employees," Zweifel says. "It ensures that our agricultural operates can more easily qualify. It really brings down the barriers to ensure that our state is helping grow small businesses throughout the state and throughout every corner of the state." [ Read More ]
02-21-2009	KSHB NBC Action News: Mo. Treasurer Wants Break For Small Business Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel has a plan he calls INVEST IN MISSOURI that calls for investing more than $1 billion in communities throughout the state to create and retain jobs. His plan requires legislative action to expand eligibility in the Missouri Linked Deposit Program. [ Read More ]
02-21-2009	Southeast Missourian: Treasurer: State tax investments could do more Missouri’s state treasurer wants to rewrite the program that uses state tax money deposits to support loans to small businesses in an effort to make more companies eligible for the low-cost cash. [ Read More ]
02-18-2009	The St. Louis American: Zweifel Launches INVEST IN MISSOURI State Treasurer Clint Zweifel introduced INVEST IN MISSOURI yesterday (Tues., Feb. 17), his statewide initiative to create and retain jobs and to reinvest nearly $1 billion in Missouri communities. [ Read More ]
02-17-2009	Missourinet: Program would extend low-interest loans to businesses, individuals, farms and municipalities The State Treasurer’s Office wants to expand a program that makes low-interest loans available to small businesses, individuals and local governments. [ Read More ]
02-17-2009	The Associated Press: Missouri treasurer seeks to put more money in state banks State Treasurer Clint Zweifel outlined a plan Tuesday to pump hundreds of millions of state dollars into Missouri banks as a way to help spur the economy. [ Read More ]
02-17-2009	KCRG: Zweifel initiative: Jobs for Missourians JEFFERSON CITY -- Newly sworn in State Treasurer Clint Zweifel held his first press conference Tuesday. His goal? To get Missourians jobs. [ Read More ]
01-17-2009	Columbia Tribune: MOSERS loss in Madoff scam put at $3.5 million The Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System lost an estimated $3.5 million when a portion of its invested assets ended up with Bernie Madoff, a New York financier accused of masterminding a $50 billion Ponzi scheme. [ Read More ]
01-01-2009	Fired Up Missouri: FUMO’s Best and Worst of ’08: Every year the Missouri political community has its winners and losers. There are those elected officials, consultants, staffers, media figures and public people who have a rough go of things (hello, Kenny) and then there are the ones for whom the year provided a rise in office, in stature, in power or just in the way in which they are perceived. [ Read More ]
11-29-2008	Springfield News-Leader: Democratic committee fundraiser Dec. 13 The Christian County Democratic Central Committee will hold its 16th annual fundraiser Christmas party on Dec. 13 at Riverside Inn. The reception begins at 6 p.m. with dinner following at 7. Special guest will be Missouri treasurer-elect Clint Zweifel. [ Read More ]
11-19-2008	St. Louis Post-Dispatch Political Fix: Z-Team: New state treasurer names transition staff While the transitions of the new governor and president-election are getting all the ink, they’re not the only ones moving up. State Rep. Clint Zweifel, the Florissant Democrat elected state treasurer earlier this month, has announced the formation of his own transition squad. [ Read More ]
11-11-2008	Suburban Journals: Zweifel prepares to ’hit the ground running’ as state treasurer For the moment, Clint Zweifel may epitomize the "hometown boy done good" story. [ Read More ]
11-05-2008	Fox 4 Kansas City: Democrat Zweifel Wins Mo. State Treasurer Race Democrat Clint Zweifel knocked off Republican Brad Lager to become the youngest Missouri state treasurer in more than a century. [ Read More ]
11-04-2008	The Kansas City Star: Kinder, Carnahan and Zweifel on top in statewide races The Democratic surge lifted candidates in Missouri down-ballot races, bringing one new Democrat into a state office and securing a second term for another. [ Read More ]

Press Releases

Treasurer Clint Zweifel announces $10 million small business and farm investment in northwest Missouri

Bill protecting unclaimed military medals passes House 153-0

Treasurer Zweifel and Attorney General Koster announce $303,000 settlement with Sprint

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News Clips

St. Joseph News-Press: Zweifel announces low-interest loans

KRCG 13: House passes bill protecting unclaimed medals

Springfield Business Journal: State reaches rebate-check settlement with Sprint

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