Nov 16 Why Didn’t the Gov’t Bail Out People Instead of Banks? Question: I have never understood why it would not have been more effective to have “bailed out” people directly, and banks indirectly, by giving money to people instead of banks. The money would have necessarily have had to move… Continue reading
Nov 16 Watch GM to Repay Government Loans Early, Cites Profit Progress Despite reporting more than a billion-dollar loss since July, General Motors says it expects to pay the federal government's bailout money back five years early. Gwen Ifill speaks with David Shepardson of the Detroit News for more. Continue watching
Nov 13 Seven Questions for Sheila Bair Editor’s note: Ask and ye shall receive. We received some excellent and provocative questions for FDIC Chair Sheila Bair in response to our request here on the Business Desk. Thanks to everyone who… Continue reading
Nov 13 Madoff’s ‘Prisoner Watch’ Among Items Set for Auction Block A trove of Bernard Madoff's belongings seized by U.S. Marshals from the Ponzi schemer's Manhattan penthouse and New York beach home are to set to go on sale Saturday in a government-run auction for victims of his fraud. Continue reading
Nov 13 FDIC’s Bair on ‘Too Big to Fail,’ Lessons Learned By Carolyn O'Hara Tonight on the NewsHour, FDIC Director Sheila Bair weighs in on the state of the U.S. banking system. In a Web-exclusive excerpt, Bair speaks bluntly about the need to break up banks that are deemed "too big to fail."… Continue reading
Nov 13 Watch FDIC’s Bair: Bank Bailouts Were ‘Not a Good Idea’ In an interview with Paul Solman, FDIC chairwoman Sheila Bair discusses lessons learned from the financial crisis, and looks back on the federal bailout of institutions deemed "too-big-to-fail," saying, "In retrospect, I think it was not a good idea."… Continue watching
Nov 12 Home Foreclosures, New Jobless Claims Decline By Carolyn O'Hara Foreclosure numbers dropped for the third straight month in October, and new claims for unemployment benefits dropped more than expected last week, according to figures released Thursday. Continue reading
Nov 12 Watch News Wrap: Falling Oil Prices Pull Markets Down In other news, falling oil prices drove down U.S. stocks markets, and the Federal Reserve issued a new rule preventing banks from charging overdraft fees on ATM and debit-card withdrawals. Continue watching
Nov 11 Ask the FDIC’s Sheila Bair Your Questions Paul Solman: We’re interviewing Sheila Bair, head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, this Friday. And she’s agreed to answer your questions as well as mine. Her answers will be posted here on the Business Desk in a special… Continue reading
Nov 11 Student Questions: Measuring the Economy & Stimulus Editor’s note: This week, the Business Desk will feature questions from students in three high schools around the country. Question: How is the economy measured? — Alex, senior, Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Salt Lake City, Utah (pictured right,… Continue reading