Excerpts

Excerpts
Dallas Beige Book Dec, 2009- Contacts say high-income consumers spent more over the past six weeks, and value retailers saw better sales
New York Beige Book Dec, 2009- Retail sales showed further signs of picking up in October
      Sales are increasing in both regions, but Dallas sales are     looking more substantial. Dallas is able to identify specific     areas of sales that are getting more attention.     Dallas Beige Book- one housing-related contact said orders weakened. Outlooks were pessimistic, mostly due to expectations of prolonged weakness
New York Beige Book- manufacturing firms in the District report continued growth in business activity in October and early November, and most contacts anticipate further improvement in the months ahead.
      In Dallas sales aren’t looking good for the future, they are     slowing down. New York has steady growth of sales which will     help the recession for both Dallas and New York.     _Dallas _Beige Book-community banks reported a recent pull back in residential real estate lending due to tougher regulatory requirements. Credit quality continued to deteriorate, mostly for consumer loans according to contacts
New York Beige Book- Medium to small-sized banks in the District report decreased demand for all types of loans--particularly residential mortgages--as well as a decrease in refinancing activity.
      Dallas is seeing a reduction in loans due to regulatory requirements,     but in the New York area demand is dropping.     Dallas Beige Book-Retailers said holiday hiring was lighter-than-normal because of uncertainty surrounding this year's holiday season, and some retail respondents have increased hours of current employees rather than hiring new workers
New York Beige Book- A major New York City employment agency, specializing in office jobs, reports that hiring remains very sluggish, though recruitment activity has reportedly picked up marginally in the finance and legal sectors....