Apr 13 Where Is the Bailout Money Hiding? Question: You did a great job explaining where the money for the bailouts comes from. Can you now tell us where, exactly, it is going? If there are so many trillions of dollars sloshing about, how come the… Continue reading
Apr 10 Watch Obama Optimistic, Yet Cautious on Economic Recovery Outlook The president said Friday he saw "glimmers of hope" in increased lending to small businesses, but the economy was still under "under severe stress." Analysts discuss the signs of economic recovery and the road ahead. Continue watching
Apr 02 Watch Change in Mark-to-Market Rules Could Have Big Impact on Banks’ Balance Sheets A key accounting standard was changed Thursday to allow banks more flexibility in mark-to-market rules, which help establish the value of assets. Analysts explain what impact this change in these rules could have for banks. Continue watching
Apr 01 If a Bank Has Toxic Assets, Can Another Division of That Bank Invest in the Toxic Asset Program? Question: Is it possible for a division of the bank holding toxic assets to participate in the [toxic asset] program? Paul Solman: Supposedly not, but there’s lots of buzz about how banks might in practice get around the obstacle… Continue reading
Mar 27 Watch Obama Banking Plan Focuses on Regulation, Credit Thaw President Obama met with banking officials Friday at the White House to discuss financial strategies that will help unfreeze the credit markets and shore up capital. Analysts assess the plan and what it might mean for banks around the country. Continue watching
Mar 23 Watch Toxic Asset Plan May Woo Investors, but Long-term Impact Is Unclear While markets rose Monday on details of the toxic asset plan, critics voiced concern over taxpayer risk and the need for a long-term fix to financial sector troubles. New York Times columnist Paul Krugman and Donald Marron of Lightyear Capital… Continue watching
Mar 23 Watch Obama Team Launches New Plan to Buy Bad Assets From Banks White House economic adviser Lawrence Summers details the Treasury Department's plan to clear "toxic" assets from banks through a combination of public and private investment. Continue watching
Mar 23 Should the Government Break Up Big Banks Into Smaller Ones? Question: Can the government loan the FDIC money (which banks will pay back through the FDIC) to take over Citibank and Bank of America, et al., pay off… Continue reading
Mar 20 How Worried Are You About the National Debt? Question: How concerned should we be about (1) our level of national debt and (2) China holding a large portion of our national debt? Paul Solman: These are among the great debates of our time, of course. Short-term,… Continue reading
Mar 18 Watch Fed to Pump Another $1 Trillion Into Economy The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it will devote another $1.2 trillion to unfreeze credit markets and help stimulate the sluggish economy. Greg Ip of The Economist provides details on the move. Continue watching