Sep 19 Is it possible, as a worst case scenario, for the Feds to close the banks as FDR did in the 1930's? By Business Desk Question/Comment: I hope you will not think me too crazy for asking this question. Is it possible as a worst case scenario for the Feds to close the banks as FDR did in the… Continue reading
Sep 19 Can the recent market fallout be traced back to Reagan's deregulation of these types of institutions? By Business Desk Question/Comment: Can the recent market fallout be traced back to Reagan’s deregulation of these types of institutions? Is it also a reflection of a Republican/Bush White house that has purposely discouraged regulators from doing their jobs? Paul Solman:“Deregulation” as a… Continue reading
Sep 19 What if the brokerage firm that handles my IRA fails? Question/Comment: Everyone seems to be concerned about the financial institutions failing. I have three questions: If institutions such as Fanny Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG fail and others fail or taken over by the government,… Continue reading
Sep 19 Fed, Congress, President Review Plans to Aid Flailing Financial Markets By PBS News Hour President Bush and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson pushed Congress Friday to cooperate with a plan to rescue the country's markets by authorizing the government to purchase failing mortgages at highly discounted rates. Continue reading
Sep 18 Watch Consumers Fret as Wall Street's Turmoil Continues to Unfold Personal finance concerns have jumped across the country as trouble among U.S. financial firms has roiled Wall Street. Columnist Jane Bryant Quinn and economist Diane Swonk discuss the impact of the crisis on everyday Americans. Continue watching
Sep 18 Watch Government Reshapes Role in Financial Sector With Bailouts The financial crisis gripping Wall Street this week has led to an unprecedented level of government intervention. Policy experts examine the government's role in the crisis. Continue watching
Sep 18 Watch Central Banks Add Liquidity to Wobbly Markets President Bush addressed recent shifts in the financial sector, central banks flooded currency markets with cash in an attempt to spur banks to begin lending again and the presidential candidates offered fresh reactions to the crisis. Kwame Holman and Judy… Continue watching
Sep 18 World Banks Add Liquidity to Markets, Speculation Grows Over New Mergers By PBS News Hour The world's central banks injected $180 billion into markets early Thursday to revive a global financial system that had nearly ground to a halt amid a crisis on Wall Street and to ensure the banks can access enough cash for… Continue reading
Sep 18 How deeply has the home foreclosure problem affected retirees? Question/Comment: How deeply has the home foreclosure problem affected retirees? Paul Solman: Wasilla? THE Wasilla? (Indeed, there IS a Marian Elliott in Wasilla, according to Zaba Search, so I suppose so.) Welcome. Small town;… Continue reading
Sep 17 Watch Government's Rescue of AIG Fails to Calm Nervous Investors The government's bailout of AIG failed to boost stock markets Wednesday, with the Dow dropping more than 400 points. Economic analysts examine the government's decision to aid the insurer and the state of financial woes. Continue watching