Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

NOTE 19 – Income Taxes

Our effective rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 38.9% and 40.2%, respectively,compared to 42.8% and 39.0% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was increased primarily as a result of adjustments to our uncertain tax positions. The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was reduced primarily as a result of the release of the valuation allowance due to realized and unrealized capital gains, which offset previously recorded unrealized capital losses.