The ranks of the world’s millionaires shrank at the fastest rate in 2008, with North America suffering the biggest wealth loss worldwide, according to a survey by Capgemini and Merrill Lynch & Co.

The global slump in property and equity markets last year cut the number of millionaires by 15 percent to 8.6 million, wiping out two years of increases, the firms said in their 13th annual World Wealth Report published today.

The value of the world’s millionaires’ assets slid 20 percent to $32.8 trillion, after a 9.4 percent increase the previous year, the survey said [...]

Bank of America is selling three corporate jets from its fleet, as well as a helicopter it acquired through its purchase of Merrill Lynch, the company said yesterday.

In addition, the bank is believed to be trying to sell one of its corporate apartments in New York, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The dramatic downsizing came on a day when the bank’s share price dipped below $5 for the first time since 1990. The news follows the fact that both Citigroup and Starbucks have put planes on the market recently.

For quite some time the American express Centurion card or commonly known as the American black was a highly coveted item. For users of the American black there is no such thing as credit limits ordinary folks have to put up with.

The estimate is that at the moment there approximately 17,000 black cards in circulation. However to be eligible for the American express black you must charge 250,000 per year. The initiation fee will set you back for $5000, while the annual fee is $2500.

But apart from the no credit limit there are many added perks – a personal concierge service that will score tickets for events and make your reservations for you. Then there are the private shopping services that will open doors for you at all the major fashion houses.