May 22 What Are the Chances the Government Will Profit on the Bank Bailouts? Question: It seems that almost all of the news we hear about the government’s bailout of the banks is negative, as if the American taxpayer will never see another dime of the bailout money again. But isn’t it true… Continue reading
May 21 Watch For One Reporter, a Personal Journey Through the Mortgage Meltdown In the latest report of his Making Sen$e series, Paul Solman talks to New York Times economics reporter Ed Andrews, who chronicles his personal tale of the mortgage crisis in "Busted: Life Inside the Great Mortgage Meltdown."… Continue watching
May 21 How One Economics Reporter Experienced His Own Mortgage Meltdown Paul Solman: Who knew? I’ve been reading Ed Andrews since he took over the New York Times patents column back in the late 1980s, and I followed him following the housing crisis. But until the… Continue reading
May 20 Ask Behavioral Economist Dan Ariely Your Questions About the Economic Crisis and Human Behavior Editor’s Note: Dan Ariely, a noted behavioral economist at Duke University and author of Predictably Irrational, is different from many of his economist colleagues. Ariely studies irrationality in economic behavior — despite the fact that economics is largely… Continue reading
May 20 Watch Behavioral Economist Examines Interplay of Money, Morality and Rationality In the latest in economics correspondent Paul Solman's Making Sense series, behavioral economist Dan Ariely mulls decision-making mechanisms in finance and they ways in which many people rationalize their unethical actions. Continue watching
May 20 Watch Credit Card Industry Braces for Big Changes Congress' credit card reform bill will prevent companies from arbitrarily raising interest rates, but it could also tighten available credit. A reporter explains the measure. Continue watching
May 20 What Congress' Credit Card Regulations Could Mean for Cardholders, Companies By Admin, PBS News Hour After clearing Congress, the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights is headed to President Barack Obama's desk to be signed into law by the end of the month. Continue reading
May 20 Why Were Banks Allowed to Bet on Derivatives? Question: How did the dollar volume of U.S. mortgages get to be such a huge dollar problem? Did derivatives do that? Why are investment banks allowed to bet 34 dollars for only one they have? Paul Solman: First, a word… Continue reading
May 19 Credit Card Regulations Easily Clear Senate Vote By PBS News Hour Senators voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to stop credit card companies from arbitrarily raising cardholder interest rates and charging unexpected fees that have become customary -- and crippling - for cash-strapped consumers during this recession. Continue reading
May 19 Why Are Credit Card Companies Raising Rates on Good Borrowers? Question: My wife’s credit card has been paid off in full, every month, for at least 10 years running (since we have been married). In fact, there usually is a 2-3 dollar “credit” balance every month. (I always round up… Continue reading