Almost daily the mainstream news media is proclaiming that the housing crisis is over. A recent Wall Street Journal front page article boldly proclaimed “The Housing Bust Is Over.” No less an authority than Warren Buffett has suggested that housing has become a compelling investment opportunity. Tops and bottoms in any market are not usually […]
Low Interest Rates Have Impoverished Savers While Enriching Large Corporations
August 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Every bank depositor is painfully aware that the effective real return on savings, after taxes and inflation is now negative. The bad news is that this situation is unlikely to change. Recent comments from the Federal Reserve indicate that they intend to keep interest rates at historically low levels for an extended period of time. […]
Banks Were The Worst Place To Keep Your Savings This Year
August 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned us repeatedly that he would repress interest rates indefinitely in order to help the economy and the housing market. Interest rates on government treasury securities have reached all time lows and bank depositors are receiving close to a zero return on their savings. Meanwhile, both housing and the economy […]
Waukegan Savings Bank, Waukegan, IL, Closed By Regulators
August 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Waukegan Savings Bank, Waukegan, IL, a small commercial bank, was closed today by state regulators and the FDIC was named as receiver. The FDIC sold the failed bank to First Midwest Bank, Itasca, IL, in order to protect depositors. Waukegan Savings Bank was established in 1924 and had two branches. Both branches of the failed […]
Banks Planning Massive Job Cuts – Old Business Models No Longer Work
July 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Although top management at the big banks is doing just fine, things are going to get a lot tougher for the average bank employee. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Meredith Whitney says the banking industry will slash 50,000 employees from the payrolls due to declining margins and increased regulations. “I think the industry goes […]
Why Banks Will Continue To Blow Up
July 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Although there were a multitude of factors involved in the banking collapse of 2008, many analysts believe that the repeal of Glass-Steagall was one of the major triggers. No less an authority than Sandy Weill, former Citigroup CEO, joined the chorus of voices last week in calling for the reinstatement of the Glass-Steagall Act. Would […]
Banks Desperate For Funds Victimized By Con Men
July 28, 2012 By 1 Comment
This post should trigger a snicker from many consumers who feel that they are victims of the banking industry. In a new twist, banks themselves are now at the top of the list for many con men One would think that with the increased regulatory scrutiny of the banking industry, banks would be last on […]
Banks Are A Financial Disaster For Both Shareholders And Depositors
July 27, 2012 By 3 Comments
In days gone by, shareholders of large banks viewed their investments as a source of income via dividends and potential capital gains via share appreciation. In days gone by, depositors viewed banks as the safest place to harbor their hard earned dollars while earning a respectable amount of interest income. That was then, this is […]
Jasper Banking Company, Georgia, Fails After 67 Years And Sold To Stearns Bank
July 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Jasper Banking Company, Jasper, GA, an independent, locally owned and managed bank was closed today by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. Jasper Banking had been in business since 1945 serving residents of Jasper through three local branches. The FDIC, appointed as receiver sold the failed bank to Stearns Bank National Association, St. Cloud, […]
FDIC Issues 48 Enforcement Actions In June
July 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The FDIC announced in a press release today a total of 48 enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in June 2012. In May, the FDIC issued 56 enforcement actions. Enforcement actions issued in June included three consent orders, two prompt corrective actions, nine removal and prohibition orders, twelve civil money penalties, five modifications of […]