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HomeMay 6, 2010 Trading Was Crony Capitalism!!
Posted by Larry Doyle on May 7th, 2010 9:27 AM |
While the market is working to digest the better than expected Unemployment Report this morning, put the pom-poms away please. No, I am not negative on the report, I am calling bulls%*# on a crony capitalist system that allows for so-called market exchanges to develop and function as they did yesterday.
Fat finger (meaning a trade size was incorrectly entered)? I do not buy it. I think yesterday was nothing more than so-called liquidity providers engaging in high frequency trading, and taking investors to the hoop in a HUGE way. How so? (more…)
Goldman Action Highlights FINRA Facade
Posted by Larry Doyle on May 6th, 2010 12:57 PM |
FINRA is supposed to be the Wall Street cop, right? Is the cop a real cop or more of a facade? Well, when the Wall Street banks which FINRA is charged to oversee do not observe the most basic of FINRA rules and regulations, in my opinion, FINRA is exposed as nothing more than a facade.
Evidence of this was on display just yesterday as Bloomberg highlighted in reporting, Goldman Sachs Said to Be Late to Report SEC Probe to FINRA:
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. was late in notifying the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority that trader Fabrice Tourre might be sued for fraud by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to people familiar with the matter. (more…)
Is the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission Providing Cover for FINRA?
Posted by Larry Doyle on May 6th, 2010 11:03 AM |
The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission is charged with the following:
… a bipartisan commission that has been given a critical non-partisan mission — to examine the causes of the financial crisis that has gripped the country and to report our findings to the Congress, the President, and the American people.
So far, I would grade the Commission’s work as an F, as in failing . . . as in f@*%ing pathetic. Why so harsh? 
(more…)
Keep Pressuring the Wall Street-Washington Incest
Posted by Larry Doyle on April 20th, 2010 9:17 AM |
Incestuous relationships can last a long time. When two willing consorts are engaged in incest without it being exposed, the incest can grow and ultimately become cancerous. Incestuous partners may believe they are pleasing each other at little expense to other family members. What a lie. Make no mistake, there is always a third party involved in incest. Who is that? Collectively, the family. In the case of our financial crisis circa 2010, the incestuous relationship between Wall Street and Washington has badly damaged the American family. Let us not allow either of these incestuous partners to define our current turmoil by asking family members to pick sides.
Why am I writing this? (more…)
SEC and FINRA Sued in Luxemburg re: Madoff Fraud
Posted by Larry Doyle on April 19th, 2010 5:04 PM |
In the midst of all the noise surrounding the Goldman Sachs charges of fraud brought by the SEC, another interesting suit was brought. This suit puts the financial regulators, the SEC and FINRA, on the defense. Bloomberg reports, SEC, FINRA Sued in Luxembourg Over Madoff Fund Losses:
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority were accused of being liable for losses in a Luxembourg fund tied to New York money manager Bernard Madoff. (more…)
FINRA Fraud Team Must Look in the Mirror
Posted by Larry Doyle on April 16th, 2010 10:14 AM |
A report released yesterday by MarketWatch highlights the fact that the Wall Street self-regulator FINRA is launching a new initiative to target fraud within its purview of the financial industry. This initiative, designated the Office of Fraud Detection and Market Intelligence, will be headed by a longstanding FINRA employee, Cameron Funkhouser. Let’s navigate and offer insightful critique and analysis.
From the MarketWatch report entitled, Wall Street Watchdog Promises to Show More Teeth:
Wall Street’s self-regulatory body that self-admittedly failed to detect 2008’s major financial scandals has a plan to not miss the next one. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is touting its new fraud team as the key to spotting another Bernard Madoff. (more…)
Finger Pointing and Payoffs
Posted by Larry Doyle on April 9th, 2010 9:12 AM |
Who in America is going to stand up and accept appropriate culpability for his/her contribution to our current economic crisis? Who in America is also willing to expose the incestuous nature of the Wall Street-Washington relationship which provided the cover for the activities which have debilitated our nation?
Let’s review what we have learned so far:
1. Blame has been directed at bank executives…but they got paid handsomely, and have not accepted full responsibility.
2. Blame has been directed at ratings agencies….but they also got paid handsomely to provide ratings, while not really knowing what they were doing. (more…)
Wall Street’s ‘Code of Silence’
Posted by Larry Doyle on April 7th, 2010 9:03 AM |
Shut up!!!
Imagine being in a situation in which you knew you had to be quiet in order to advance your own personal career, rather than speaking up and blowing the whistle on irregularities and improprieties within your firm. This message is consistently relayed by many a whistleblower who has suffered from having tried to do the right thing. What is the result? Firms tout their virtuous values of integrity, respect, and excellence while effectively muzzling those who would blow the whistle on crimes and illegal practices.
I believe this reality is all too present in many, if not most, industries in our society today. There is absolutely no doubt it is present on Wall Street. (more…)
Erik Sirri and the Costs of a Politicized SEC
Posted by Larry Doyle on March 31st, 2010 6:27 AM |
When the exchange of financial ideas and, more importantly, capital becomes excessively politicized there are very real costs. Although those involved in the politicization process of these markets and exchanges may define the increased intervention of political influences as “in the best interests” of all involved, the supposed near term benefits come with long term costs.
Why do I broach this topic? A former SEC official decided he wanted to talk about the political overtones involved in the SEC’s decision to restrict short-selling in the equity markets in 2008. Bloomberg reports on this bombshell in writing, SEC Lets Politics Spur Short-Sale Decision, Sirri Says:
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision to restrict short selling was a political decision rather than one based on evidence, according to a former agency official who says it may set a precedent for future decisions. (more…)
