business this year, Sousa's Landscape Management Co. Ltd. is making moves to ensure it stays on top of trends. It recently launched a specialist irrigation division for installation of ponds, waterfalls etc., and soon will be opening Sousa's Gardens which will showcase the work of its crafts people and a selection of ornamental pottery, equipment, seedlings and other supplies.

Sousa's also announced yesterday that Bermudians Lou Pantry , maintenance coordinator, and Gary Robinson , team leader, along with president Jefferson Sousa recently attended the Associated Landscape Contractors of America's (ALCA) annual landscape and grounds maintenance conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

It was Mr. Sousa's 12th confernece and this year he was named a `champion' at the `breakfast of champions'. ALCA's programme included more than 50 business-management educational as well as the Green Industry Expo -- the national exposition of lawn and landscape professionals.

"Increasingly, homeowners are turning to professional landscape contractors for the benefits of a professionally installed and maintained landscape,'' Mr.

Sousa said.

"Homeowners and property managers are recognising the added value of landscaping in resale value and tenant occupancy. Professional landscaping can add as much as 15 to 25 percent to the value of a property.'' *** BANK OF BERMUDA UPS SAVINGS RATES BUC Bank of Bermuda ups savings rates The Bank of Bermuda yesterday announced its interest rates on Bermuda dollar statement savings accounts are to be hiked 0.25 per cent up to 4 per cent next week.

In addition the Bank plans to up its base rate on the Bermuda dollar 0.25 per cent to a new benchmark of 6.25, effective as of December 1.

Other raises are planned for next month: also on December 1, Bank subsidiary Bermuda Home will increase its demand savings accounts interest rates to 4 per cent, from 3.75; the 30-day savings accounts will also receive a 0.25 per cent hike, to 4.25 per cent.

Bermuda Home plans a 0.25 per cent increase in its variable mortgage rate, slated for December 29.

Savings and loan customers for the bank and for Bermuda Home will be notified of the increases on their next account statements, the bank said.

Bank of Bermuda senior vice president of retail clients Danny Fox attributed the hikes to an increase in short-term US interest rates, after the Federal Reserve Board last week voted to raise the cost of federal funds.

"We find it necessary to closely align our local rates to those prevailing in the United States,'' Mr. Fox said.

"Most of our deposit products move directly with market sales, and have already benefited from market rate increases.'' *** PRIVATE SHOPPING NIGHTS A SUCCESS BUC Private shopping nights a success Phoenix Centre's recent special Christmas private shopping evenings for its major corporate clients has been labelled a major success.

According to Phoenix president and CEO George Grundmuller , the promotion -- to thank corporate customers -- was a boon at a time "local retailers are feeling the drain on their pre-Christmas sales due to the surge in Internet shopping. The private shopping nights featured storewide discounts on purchases staff made.

"We are continually looking at ways to encourage our customers to purchase locally, and the staff of our corporate customers embraced this latest idea wholeheartedly,'' Mr. Grundmuller said.

*** CHANGES ON ACE LIMITED BOARD APP BUC Changes on ACE Limited board Roberto Mendoza has rejoined the board of directors at ACE Limited after the resignation of Jeffrey Greenberg in October. The Board of Directors at ACE made the announcement effective immediately.

Mr. Mendoza is currently vice chairman and a director of J.P. Morgan & Co.

Inc., a member of the corporate office, the firm's senior policy and planning group.

He had previously served on the ACE's board from September 1985 to May 1996.

Mr. Greenberg resigned on October 13, 1999 after he was appointed chief executive officer in addition to serving as president of Marsh & McLennan Companies. He said he resigned as a result of his increasing responsibilities at MarshMc.

Brian Duperreault , chairman and chief executive officer of ACE said: "I am delighted to welcome Roberto back to the Board of Directors of ACE. ACE has benefited greatly from Roberto's extensive expertise during his past years of service.

"We look forward to his active participation on the ACE Board for many years to come.'' *** If you would like to make a submission to Company Moves please fax to the attention of Marina Esplin-Jones at 292-2498 or telephone 295-5881 or email editor ygazette.newsmedia.bm.

ACE Chairman & CEO Brian Duperreault