Monday, December 22, 2008

Brilliant: Credit Suisse To Pay Top Execs With Illiquid Mortgage Securities

Or in the" you killed it, you cook it" category

From Joe Weisenthal, Huffington Post

http://clusterstock.alleyinsider.com/2008/12/brilliant-credit-suisse-to-pay-top-execs-with-illiquid-mortgage-securities

"We're shocked that nobody has suggested this before, but on its face this looks like a great idea... Credit Suisse announced today that bonuses for its top executives would be made in illiquid, mortgage-backed securities. Seeing as these guys are responsible for getting this stuff on the companies books, it makes sense to shove it back to them. And if the market gets liquid again, and the stuff goes up, that's going to be a huge windfall for execs:

Bloomberg: The bank will use leveraged loans and commercial mortgage- backed debt, some of the securities blamed for generating the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, to fund executive compensation packages, people familiar with the matter said. The new policy applies only to managing directors and directors, the two most senior ranks at the Zurich-based company, according to a memo sent to employees today.

“While the solution we have come up with may not be ideal for everyone, we believe it strikes the appropriate balance among the interests of our employees, shareholders and regulators and helps position us well for 2009,” Chief Executive Officer Brady Dougan and Paul Calello, CEO of the investment bank, said in the memo.-"

Yes! Hey, if you think this is such a great investment, hold on to it till it becomes more valuable!



Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Where did the Money go?

From Wikipedia about the dot coms

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot-com_bubble#Soaring_stocks

"The Dot-com bubble crash wiped out $5 trillion in market value of technology companies from March 2000 to October 2002."-


"Some believe the crash of the dot-com bubble contributed to the housing bubble in the U.S. Yale economist Robert Shiller said in 2005, “Once stocks fell, real estate became the primary outlet for the speculative frenzy that the stock market had unleashed. Where else could plungers apply their newly acquired trading talents? The materialistic display of the big house also has become a salve to bruised egos of disappointed stock investors. These days, the only thing that comes close to real estate as a national obsession is poker"

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Why Share The Pain?

Why dwell on this? This is an event whose affect on me has been both sobering and significant. I'm no economist or fiscal intellectual. Just an average person who awakes up each day to find that his world much less stable and a lot more fearful. So I decide to look at this situation head on. And while there isn't much humor in it, hope to leaven this dark stuff with as much humor as I can. So follow me now as I sift through the majestic wreak of failed business, bizarre economic formulae, trashouts, resort spa conferences, greed and just plain bad decision that have brought us to the brink of economic collapse. Welcome to the new age!

Cashout


Here is a partial list of banks, from the FDIC(Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) that failed in this year economic meltdown. Borrowing money just got a little less easier.




Failed Bank List

The FDIC is often appointed as receiver for failed banks. This page contains useful information for the customers and vendors of these banks. This includes information on the acquiring bank (if applicable), how your accounts and loans are affected, and how vendors can file claims against the receivership.

This list includes banks which have failed since October 1, 2000.

Bank Name Closing Date Updated Date
Security Pacific Bank, Los Angeles, CA November 7, 2008 November 7, 2008
Franklin Bank, SSB, Houston, TX November 7, 2008 November 7, 2008
Freedom Bank, Bradenton, FL October 31, 2008 October 31, 2008
Alpha Bank & Trust, Alpharetta, GA October 24, 2008 October 24, 2008
Meridian Bank, Eldred, IL October 10, 2008 October 10, 2008
Main Street Bank, Northville, MI October 10, 2008 October 10, 2008
Washington Mutual Bank, Henderson, NV and Washington Mutual Bank FSB, Park City, UT September 25, 2008 October 20, 2008
Ameribank, Northfork, WV September 19, 2008 October 20, 2008
Silver State Bank, Henderson, NV
En EspaƱol
September 5, 2008 October 20, 2008
Integrity Bank, Alpharetta, GA August 29, 2008 October 20, 2008
The Columbian Bank and Trust, Topeka, KS August 22, 2008 October 20, 2008
First Priority Bank, Bradenton, FL August 1, 2008 October 27, 2008
First Heritage Bank, NA, Newport Beach, CA July 25, 2008 October 20, 2008
First National Bank of Nevada, Reno, NV July 25, 2008 October 20, 2008
IndyMac Bank, Pasadena, CA July 11, 2008 October 27, 2008
First Integrity Bank, NA, Staples, MN May 30, 2008 October 20, 2008
ANB Financial, NA, Bentonville, AR May 9, 2008 October 27, 2008
Hume Bank, Hume, MO March 7, 2008 October 27, 2008
Douglass National Bank, Kansas City, MO January 25, 2008 October 20, 2008