Highmark Inc., Pittsburgh's largest health insurer, is offering buyouts -- "voluntary resignation programs" -- to employees in hopes of cutting its workforce by 300. The buyout packages -- being offered to management, business operations support, claims processing, and administrative and clerical staff -- are part of a larger plan to reduce operating expenses by approximately $20 million in 2010. When asked if layoffs would be an option if Highmark couldn't find 300 people to resign, a company spokesman said, "Highmark cannot say what the company's next steps will be until we see many employees take advantage of this offer." The 300 employees represent less than 3 percent of Highmark's Pennsylvania work force, or 1.5 percent of its company-wide work force.

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking said it stepped up enforcement activity in the mortgage industry last year, suspending 542 mortgage companies and individuals for violations of regulations and revoking licenses or banning 28 companies and individuals from the mortgage business in the state. In addition, 17 companies were penalized for failing to develop policies for documenting an applicant's ability to repay the loan. For full list of actions, check out the Business Database at www.post-gazette.com/businessnews.

Matthews International Corp. a supplier of caskets and bronze cemetery markers, named John D. Turner to serve as the North Shore company's new chairman of the board. William J. Stallkamp, the former chairman, retired from the board, effective Thursday. Mr. Turner has been a Matthews director since 1999. He was chairman and CEO of Copperweld Corp., a manufacturer of tubular and bimetallic wire products, until retiring in 2003.

British Airways cabin crew workers lost a legal battle to overturn changes to pay and working conditions that sparked an acrimonious dispute. The British High Court on Friday declined to grant a permanent injunction that would have scrapped cost-cutting changes that were imposed in November. BA argues that the changes -- including a pay freeze -- are necessary to counter falling demand. The Unite union planned a Christmas strike over the issue, but was stopped by a separate High Court action. A new strike ballot on a walkout closes on Monday.

J.C. Penney Co. posted fourth-quarter profit that surpassed its expectations and issued an upbeat forecast for 2010 on Friday following a stronger-than-expected holiday season.

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