banks

Earlier today I posted an article about how accounting was favourable to banks in that it could help them weather the storm and appear well-capitalized until a recovery is underway.  Afterwards, a buoyant economy would increase…

The following Bloomberg article points out why I have repeatedly argued that banks will be earning a lot of money, Meredith Whitney’s counter-arguments notwithstanding. It also points out why the likes of John Hempton believe that the FDIC…

Strategic Capital and Morton Community Bank were seized by the FDIC tonight.  Below are the FDIC announcements on the matter. The FDIC estimates a cost to taxpayers of $173 million (nearly 30% of assets) for Strategic Capital and $106…

I was heading to dinner with Marshall Auerback when the news of the BankUnited bust came into my inbox. I see this as fairly big new for what it represents. We are witnessing a sea change in how FDIC seizures are done here with private…

Back on the 16th, I posted a link to a Wall Street Journal article by James Hagerty which detailed how the Federal Home Loan Banks were able to prevent asset writedowns because of guideline changes to mark-to-market accounting.  I…

Yesterday, I mentioned an e-mail from the FDIC clarifying statements on replacing bank executives by Chairperson Sheila Bair on Bloomberg's "Political Capital with Al Hunt". Below is the video which will allow you to see exactly what…

We needed regulators like this when the bubble was being formed.  Elizabeth Warren is truly a breath of fresh air.

The Bear here is Meredith Whitney, who says that bank stocks will return to negative earnings in the second quarter.  That’s a big and very specific call that is very much out of line with the consensus.  In an interview with…

Last night I received an advance copy of a new book by Wall Street Journal reporter Kate Kelly that gives us a peek inside the last seventy-two hours at Bear Stearns in March 2008.  If you are interested in finance, “Street Fighters” is…

Below is a video of Meredith Whitney talking to Maria Bartiromo earlier today on CNBC (hat tip Calculated Risk).  In the video she suggests that banks might be able to beat earnings estimates for another one or two quarters before the…