crisis

Warren Buffett spoke with CNBC about the U.S. economy and the banking system in an interview televised this morning. His basic message was that the economy cannot function without confidence in the banking system. The FDIC can work its…

After Europe emerged from the worst war in human history, its cities lay in ruins. Its economy was in tatters. It was in this environment that an Iron Curtain fell over Europe dividing it into east and west, separating Europeans from each…

Marshall Auerback here. I have a few words about the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility - otherwise known as the TALF. Economist Paul Kasriel of Northern Trust confirms my interpretation, namely that we get stuffed holding these…

Marshall Auerback here. Unlike Ed, I like to call a spade a spade regarding the Obama Administration's economic gurus. The more they screw up, the greater the number and depth of the crises, the greater the responsibility/ power Obama…

Since everyone seems to be talking about nationalization and pointing to Sweden as a model for the future, one should ask whether Sweden actually nationalized anything. No one is talking about outright Hugo Chavez-style expropriation here.…

The TALF is a way for any and all comers, domestic and foreign, with toxic asset-backed securities, to dump those assets on to the U.S. government at taxpayers expense. This is happening right now right under your noses. At least the Fed…

From MarketWatch: J.P. Morgan Chase said late Monday that its board cut the company's quarterly dividend to 5 cents from 38 cents, effective for the dividend payable April 30. "The board anticipates maintaining this level for the time…

UPDATE: This is another re-post given the huge bailout just administered to AIG. I am coming out in favor of nationalization in the United States. The efforts to fix the banking system to date have failed. As a result, America is still…

As recession takes hold, European citizens are starting to ask questions about how they were led into this, the deepest downturn in three-quarters of a century. The leading Spanish daily El Pais published a very thoughtful article today…

As a result of falling oil prices and the global financial crisis a considerable fear has developed that Dubai, which has led a very expansive building policy in recent years, would have problems servicing its debt.