While they became stronger in 2009 (yes they became stronger), the financial institutions were more willing to write off the bad debts of companies and were less likely to restructure debts when companies became delinquent. 

John Edelman, a former business owner, is taking Warren Buffett's advice by investing in what he knows: home furnishings.

Business, consumer bankruptcies up in 2009

U.S. business bankruptcies rose 38 percent last year, to a record since bankruptcy laws were changed in 2005, according to a bankruptcy data firm on Tuesday.

Interest Rates

We start off the year with mortgage rates stable from 2009. The good news continues but as we have said before there are forces at play that will mean higher rates in the near term.

So much for that "special" South Dakota economy.  It's only just slightly better than the national economy, based on bankruptcy filings.