Free Republic

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use. NORCROSS, Ga. -- CheckFree Corp., which provides electronic payment services, said Tuesday it will consolidate some operations and eliminate 450 positions, or 13 percent of its work force, by this summer. CheckFree will close its Texas offices in Austin and Houston, putting about 150 people out of work. The company will manage its electronic commerce business from offices in suburban Atlanta; suburban Chicago; Dublin, Ohio; and Phoenix. About 150 more positions will be sliced at those offices. CheckFree also will close its software division offices in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Singapore,...

<p>As if skimpy interest rates and long teller lines weren't enough, now beleaguered bank customers have another indignity to contend with -- broken pens.</p> <p>According to a survey in the banking meccas of New York and San Francisco, banks treat their customers poorly when it comes to meeting the simplest needs -- such as providing clean and well-maintained check-writing desks with pens that actually work.</p>