Economy Aug 06 If Banks Just Changed Their Accounting Rules, Why Do They Need Bailout Money? Question: If the banks are doing just hunky-dory due to the change in accounting rules, then why do they need any bailout money? Paul Solman: Hunky-dory? You might find this online etymology of the term amusing. I have to…
Economy Aug 05 Should We Have Dealt With ‘Too Big to Fail’ in the 1980s? Question: If you go back and look at the recession of 1982, you will see that the Fed bailed out large banks mainly due to bad LDC loans. I think the precedent of moral…
Economy Jun 09 If Banks Still Followed Mark-to-Market Rules, What Would Their Losses Look Like? Question: What is the actual amount that banks have “lost” if banks still had to follow mark-to-market rules? My understanding is that our large banks would be insolvent by almost a trillion dollars if they had to declare what…
Economy 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.