cramdowns

Fannie and Freddie have already been nationalized and the government is already on the hook for hundreds of billions of dollars of losses as a result. Clearly, this makes it a lot easier to use the GSEs as vehicles to pump money into the…

Permanent zero can work over the medium-term but the economy is dependent on employment growth and monetary policy doesn't drive that.

Investors must still be worried about the fallout from the European meltdown. However, the situation in the US is looking much better than it did last week because of this aggressive policy response.

Calculated Risk: Google Maps Shows Foreclosure Status You can get data on just about anything these days. Amazing maps. Almost scary. Fannie Mae seeks $US10.7b in aid after loss Here's a thought: if Citi were in government hands…

Berkshire’s Munger Favors ‘100% Ban’ on Credit Swaps - Bloomberg.com Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Vice Chairman Charles Munger said he supports an outright ban of credit- default swaps to prevent speculators from profiting on the failure of…

Last night I featured a video from Jon Stewart that skewered CNBC, and specifically Jim Cramer. The video is quite funny as Jon Stewart's show is a comedy show. However, since that segment aired, Jon Stewart has decided to end the…

Below is an interview with an expert on the issue of mortgage cramdowns. Basically, this issue is all about debt forgiveness for borrowers and writedowns for lenders. Lenders do not like cramdowns for that reason. See below for a view on…

Here are some worthwhile contributions from the econblgger world I think you should definitely read.

In November, the U.S. federal agencies which oversee the banking system proposed new guidelines for real estate appraisals. One would imagine that these guidelines would be in keeping with the new more stringent regulatory frame of mind…

'Drug money flowed into banks' - Fin24 South Africa (This is a must-read article) California’s First Centennial Bank Shut by Regulator - Bloomberg.com (Another FDIC Friday night special) Older workers escaping the ax - MSN Money (Very…