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In the first quarter of 2009, CIOs experienced significant IT budget revisions as executives gained a greater understanding and solidified plans for addressing the global financial crisis, according to a worldwide survey of 900 CIOs by Gartner Executive Programs (EXP).

While some strides have been made, banks and other financial institutions may still have work ahead of them in their risk management efforts, according to a biennial global survey released by Deloitte - particularly when it comes to integrating risk responsibilities into compensation goals, establishing integrated risk management processes and systems and improving model validation.

TransUnion.com released the results of its analysis of trends in the credit card lending industry for the first quarter of 2009. The report is part of an ongoing series of quarterly consumer lending sector analyses focusing on credit card, auto loan and mortgage data that may be found on TransUnion's Web site. Information for this analysis is culled quarterly from approximately 27 million anonymous, individual credit files, providing a real-life perspective on how U.S. consumers are managing their credit health.

Biotechnology has the power to improve human health, address environmental challenges, and change the way the world does business. A new OECD report, The Bioeconomy to 2030: Designing a Policy Agenda, examines the role of biotechnology in the global economy over the next two decades and outlines policies that could maximize its benefits.

While is still too early to assess whether it is a temporary or a more durable turning point, OECD composite leading indicators (CLIs) for April 2009 point to a reduced pace of deterioration in most of the OECD economies with stronger signals of a possible trough in Canada, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. The signals remain tentative but they are present in the majority of the CLI component series for these countries. Compared to last month, positive signals are also emerging in Germany, Japan and the United States. However, major non-OECD economies still face deteriorating conditions, with the exception of China and India, where tentative signs of a trough have also emerged.

Outsourcing firms handling call volumes from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) continue to remain competitive and profitable with successful initiatives to contain cost during the global economic downturn. Outsourcing providers also cite competitive pressures and regulatory factors that may affect future, short-term business growth. The complete effect of the global economic downturn that began at the end of 2007 is that the new business pipeline from existing customers and prospects for several vendors has been promising. Past perceptions of loss of control over customer interactions are diminishing, as providers in this market deploy successful implementations, offer advanced services, and publish customer success stories.

The Spherion Employee Confidence Index increased 2.9 points to 48.3 in May. The Index, which measures workers' confidence in their personal employment situation and optimism in the economic environment, rose as fewer workers believe the economy is getting weaker and more workers are optimistic in their ability to find a new job.

Nonfarm payroll employment fell by 345,000 in May, about half the average monthly decline for the prior 6 months, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported. The unemployment rate continued to rise, increasing from 8.9 to 9.4 percent. Steep job losses continued in manufacturing, while declines moderated in construction and several service-providing industries.

A new study released by Bankrate, Inc. shows that although two out of three Americans polled know someone who has been laid off, eight out of ten feel "very" or "somewhat" secure in their own jobs.

The 2009 Debit Issuer Study, commissioned by PULSE, identified several positive trends for financial institution debit card issuers, including sustained debit transaction growth despite the recession. This edition of the comprehensive debit card industry study also found that use of PIN debit has increased, while fraud loss rates have declined.