Economic Development

The number of Americans who applied last week for initial unemployment claims rose to the highest level since January, partly because some employees of school districts can file claims during spring break, the U.S. Labor Department reported today.

Economic indicators for metro Milwaukee rebounded in February from a weak January performance, according to the latest monthly report by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC).

Todd Kreitzman has been hired as an investment representative at First Bank Financial Centre in Oconomowoc.

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. Inc. will conduct its annual meeting at its downtown Milwaukee headquarters on Wednesday, May 23, at 8 a.m.

Madison-based Axley Brynelson LLP and Murn & Martin S.C. of Waukesha announced they have merged into one law firm.

St. Francis-based Stark Investments plans to raise $39.5 million with Stark Mortgage Opportunities LP, a new hedge fund.

Milwaukee-based Dohmen Company announced it has acquired BioSoteria, a leading provider of drug safety and risk management services to the biopharmaceutical industry.

Milwaukee-based Rexnord Corp. has closed its previously announced initial public offering (IPO) of 27.2 million shares of common stock at $18 per share.

Milwaukee investor Sheldon Lubar, his family and his company are in the midst of a busy week in which they agreed to invest $15 million in Ixonia Bancshares, parent company of ISB Community Bank, and they acquired Madison-based Erdman Company.

U.S. Bank announced it plans to open four full-service locations inside local Walmart stores over the next two years.