Mar 18 How and Why Is the Fed Creating $1 Trillion? By Business Desk Question: How and why is the Fed creating $1 trillion in new funds to buy securities? Paul Solman: They’ve been calling Fed chairman Bernanke “Helicopter Ben” since he told conservative economics icon Milton Friedman, in a speech a few… Continue reading
Mar 04 Does the FDIC Really Protect My Deposits? Question: With as much debt as our government is in, does the FDIC really make my bank deposits safe? And if the FDIC had to pay millions of… Continue reading
Oct 14 It seems to me that FDR may have saved the traditional banking system. What do you think? By Business Desk Question: First, it seems to me that FDR saved the traditional banking system. I’ve checked the account of the plan they came up with during the “bank holiday” in the second Schlesinger book and… Continue reading
Oct 06 Are there any banks or investment houses not involved in risky practices? Question/Comment: Are there any banks or investment houses not involved in risky practices? I would like to deal with a financial institution that has integrity. Where can I find it? Paul Solman: No, banks and investment banks are in an… Continue reading
Jul 02 Are the stimulus checks only a loan? Question/Comment: My accountant told me the government’s gift of money for taxpayers (to help stimulate the economy?) is actually a loan that most middle/upper income citizens will have to repay within a year. Paul Solman: America spends more than… Continue reading
Feb 12 Watch Billionaire Buffett Offers to Help Insure Municipal Bonds Billionaire investor Warren Buffett announced Tuesday that he would help shore up three insurance bond firms by offering additional insurance on up to $800 billion in municipal bonds. The Wall Street Journal's David Wessel explains how bond insurers impact Wall… Continue watching
Feb 05 How can a nation with manufacturing employment being replaced by “service” jobs expect to have a trade balance with the rest of the world? Question/Comment: Did you ever hear about the two old ladies who made a precarious living taking in each other’s laundry? My question is this: how can a nation with manufacturing employment being replaced by “service” jobs expect to have a… Continue reading
Nov 28 Now that it appears rates will be dropping, where is the best place to keep the bulk of my savings? Question/Comment: As a long time observer of the mortgage market, particularly the subprime segment, I have been anticipating the current economic crunch for some time. Accordingly, I have been keeping a large amount of my savings ($85K) in an FDIC… Continue reading