Michael Schwartz

Michael Schwartz is the editor of Richmond BizSense, and covers banking, lawsuits, finance, M&A and golf. He can be reached at [email protected] or 804-855-1037.

Our favorite BizSense stories of 2012

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These picks weren’t necessarily the most widely read of our stories. But their intriguing – and sometimes peculiar – details and characters made them stand out among the hundreds of stories we published this year.

Monday Q&A: Rip up the playbook

Tom Yeager has been in the business of college sports since the late 1970s, but he’s never seen anything like what’s happening these days.

Hardywood commits to second building

Hardywood Park Craft Brewery's new building at (Photo by Michael Schwartz)

Just months after leasing a second building, one of Richmond’s fastest growing breweries has gone from renter to owner.

Markel announces $3 billion acquisition

Markel's headquarters at Innsbrook

Grab the sunblock and get used to driving on the other side of the road: The Richmond insurance company is buying its way into the Bermuda reinsurance business.

Trading Day: Inside local SEC filings for 12.20.12

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The pay packages for two new local executives are revealed. A major shareholder of a local bank continues its sell-off. And Richmond’s king of tobacco makes a payment on a major anti-smoking settlement.

In bank rankings, no news is good news

Bauer Financial logo

Richmond-based banks held steady in their performance during the third quarter, according to a Florida ratings firm.

The R&D Dept.: Local patents for 12.19.12

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Some interesting inventions from locals this week including a cigar box from a company in Glen Allen and a foldable cup from a man in Richmond. Plus patents from Capital One, Afton Chemical and more.

Colonial Downs wants lawsuit scratched

The track at Colonial Downs

A local horse track is trying to buck off a federal lawsuit that alleges trademark infringement and false advertising.