More than 40 percent of homeowners seeking help from the Obama administration’s flagship effort to rescue those at risk of foreclosure have dropped out of the program. The latest report on the program suggests foreclosures could rise in the second half of the year and weaken an ailing housing market.
Jobless benefits extension passes Senate test
July 20, 2010 By
More than 2.5 million unemployed Americans are one step closer to having their unemployment benefits restored.
D.C. Elites and ‘Real Americans’ Are More Similar Than You’d Think
July 20, 2010 By
A recent Politico poll has opened up “D.C. elites” to yet another round of criticism. They’re so unlike normal Americans, you see. Forty-nine percent of them think the country is heading in the right direction (versus 27 percent of the general population)
Housing Starts in U.S. Slide More Than Forecast as Credit Ends
July 20, 2010 By
Housing starts fell in June to the lowest level in eight months after the expiration of a U.S. government tax incentive caused sales to slump.
Why Small Banks Are Big Losers in Bailout
July 16, 2010 By
The nation’s small banks, as the conventional wisdom has it, were victims of a financial crisis brought on by greed and excess on Wall Street, but the small bank-TARP recipients that are likely to generate big taxpayer losses.
Reform Bill: Geithner to Inherit Sweeping Influence
July 16, 2010 By
The dramatic expansion of financial regulation approved by Congress this week bears the stamp of no one more than Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner and gives him vast powers to determine the final form of the new rules.
W.House eyes Elizabeth Warren for New Consumer Watchdog
July 16, 2010 By
Elizabeth Warren, an outspoken consumer rights advocate feared by Wall Street, is among top contenders to head a new financial consumer watchdog bureau, sources
Do conservatives care about the deficit? Do Democrats?
July 16, 2010 By
Matt Yglesias asks the question and assembles some evidence. The two modern conservative presidents, George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, “both presided over massive increases in both present and projected deficits.”
Goldman Case a Win for SEC
July 16, 2010 By
At first blush, the SEC’s settlement with Goldman Sachs over fraud charges looked like a victory for the bank
What’s in Financial Reform Bill? Most Americans Don’t Know
July 15, 2010 By
The broadest overhaul of US financial rules since the Great Depression won final approval in the Senate on Thursday. Yet over 70% of Americans know nothing about the legislation.
Grading The Bill: WSJ.com
July 15, 2010 By
Economists and other prominent members of the financial community gave the overhaul legislation mixed reviews
Goldman Shares Up: SEC To Make ‘Significant Announcement’
July 15, 2010 By
Shares of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) climbed 4% late Thursday after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced it intends to make a “significant announcement” at 4:45 p.m. EDT.
Senate Passes Financial Overhaul Bill
July 15, 2010 By
The Senate passed the financial overhaul package in a final vote Thursday, ending more than a year of wrangling over the shape of the landmark legislation. The focus now shifts to the monumental task of implementing the new regulations over coming weeks and months.
The G20 Plan For Prosperity: Rubber Bullets, No Safety Net
July 14, 2010 By
Pol
ice brutality at the G-20 protests in Toronto targeted freedom of speech and assembly, putting the world’s poor and working people on notice.
“The Uncertainty Excuse Needs to Come to an End”
July 14, 2010 By
Barbara Kiviat says it’s time for businesses to stop whining:
The uncertainty excuse needs to come to an end, by Barbara Kiviat: Health care reform passed. Now it looks like financial re-regulation will, too.
Jason Paez (