2013

The recent increase in long-term rates is causing major changes in the mortgage markets. Here are some key trends

After having been considered to head both the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Israel earlier this year, Lawrence Summers has been propelled back into the center of the broader economic dialogue with a speech at a recent IMF Economic Forum.…

As we approach the fifth anniversary of the start of the first quantitative easing program, some are asking the thorny question about the so-called "distributional effects" of these unprecedented programs. Who really benefited since the…

Fed Chair nominee Janet Yellen believes that the Fed will keep rates at zero long after the 6.5 unemployment threshold, according to news reports. Yellen made the comments responding to an inquiry by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren…

In the aftermath of the financial crisis, policy makers’ aversion to fiscal policy is still large. So monetary policy rules the roost. With developed economies burdened by low growth, unemployment, and high levels of debt, monetary agents…

News links for 19 Nov 2013

On Thursday, Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Charles Plosser gave a speech on Thursday called “A Limited Central Bank” that I highly recommend. The underlying theme of Plosser’s speech was that central banks should have a limited…

News links for 18 Nov 2013

Given the relatively low default rates in auto loans, banks' credit departments have loosened lending requirements.

With Ireland and Spain poised to leave Europe’s bailout mechanism, Europe appears to have weathered a very big storm. Yet, the Eurozone is still wracked with joblessness and economic growth remains elusive. What’s more, Europe’s…