Oct 09 How could a U.S. domestic problem become a global liquidity crisis? Question/Comment: How could a U.S. domestic problem (the housing bubble) become a global liquidity crisis between banks putting all banks and consequently the economies worldwide in trouble? What needs to be done to prevent a global economic meltdown? Paul Solman:… Continue reading
Oct 09 If banks do not have money to lend, how can they buy up finance firms and other failing banks? Question/Comment: If banks do not have money to lend, how can Citicorp, Wells Fargo, etc. come up with billions to purchase failing banks and finance firms? Paul Solman: They aren’t forking over any cash. “Purchase” means subsume. Wachovia becomes part… Continue reading
Oct 08 Is there any way to protect the U.S. or world markets? Question/Comment: Your presentation last night was clear and lively. Thanks. My question is: Is there ANY way to protect the U.S. or world markets from individuals and/or huge companies who may be lurking… Continue reading
Oct 08 Are there really $64 trillion of bad mortgages out there? Question/Comment: You mentioned in your report that there are $64 trillion in CD swaps out there. AIG only had a few hundred billion. Who has the rest? Are there really $64 trillion of… Continue reading
Oct 08 How much of investment banks’ portfolios are tied up in the stock market? Question/Comment: What are the connections between investment banks/houses and the stock market? How much of these investment banks’ portfolios are tied up in the stock market, and how much is in other places (like loans to businesses)? Paul Solman: Investment… Continue reading
Oct 07 Why were there no checks on these fraudulent practices and unscrupulous mortgage brokers? Question/Comment: I have a hard time understanding how some of these mortgages were ever permitted to happen. In particular, mortgages for which absolutely no documentation for verifying income or anything else were required. This allows borrowers to lie on their… Continue reading
Oct 07 For those of us who are not accountants, can you help explain how bad mortgages work? Question/Comment: For the non-accountants among us: Hypothesize that a bank has $1000 in bad mortgages (cdos, etc) that have dropped to $100 in value. How does this adversely affect the bank if it simply holds onto them and no longer… 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
Oct 06 Can you explain, simply, what a credit default swap is? Question/Comment: Can you explain, simply, what a credit default swap is? Paul Solman: I sure hope so. Basically, a credit default swap or “CDS” is an insurance contract to protect against bankruptcy. Say… Continue reading
Oct 03 Wouldn’t mortgage-backed securities gain value if homeowners could refinance their homes? Question/Comment: This is what I don’t get: If the problem is that the mortgage-backed securities hold little value because a lot of people are unable to pay their mortgages, wouldn’t those securities gain value if homeowners were allowed to refinance… Continue reading