Posts Tagged ‘Freddie Mac’
Posted by Larry Doyle on March 5th, 2009 6:37 PM |
Some of my favorite movies are The Sting, Rocky, and Papillon. I could watch those films a few times a year and appreciate the plot, character development, and climax.
In that same vein, for newer readers here at Sense on Cents, I want to highlight a piece I wrote on November 12, 2008. I believe this piece is as clear cut an historical explanation as I have seen to highlight the background of the debacle on Wall Street which precipitated this economic disaster. I also find it interesting as to my comments about potential market reaction to an aggressive tax/spend program under President Obama and a Democratic Congress.
I hope you find this article informative and enlightening: (more…)
Tags: AIG, asset-backed market, Bank of America, Bear Stearns, Bernanke, capital, CDS, Centex, China, collateralized mortgage obligation, Countrywide, Fannie Mae, financial quants, Freddie Mac, Hedge Funds, JP Morgan, Lehman Bros, Merrill LYnch, National City Bank, originate to distribute, Paulson, Pulte Homes, rating agencies, Ryland, SEC, Sheila Bair, walll Street
Posted in American Consumers, Auto Industry, Bad Bank, Bailout, Bank of America, Banking Institutions, Barack Obama, Barney Frank, Ben Bernanke, Business, China, Christopher Dodd, Commerce, Congress, Wall Street | 5 Comments »
Posted by Larry Doyle on March 5th, 2009 5:50 AM |
I always maintained that Fannie Mae’s risk management was horrendous. Having engaged this organization in business for many years, it was obvious that their risk was managing them rather than vice versa. While the organization mismanaged risk, their former CEO, Franklin Raines, obviously knew it was prudent to keep expenses down. Franklin Raines, however, knows how to play politics with the best of them and has never let his reputation get in the way of developing marketable relationships.
I wrote about Mr. Raines specifically and Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in general in a piece last October. I followed that up with a review of Mr. Raines Returns to Washington in mid-December. (more…)
Tags: Angelo Mozilo, Congress, Countrywide, Fannie Mae, Franklin Raines, Freddie Mac, Risk, Wall Street Journal, Washington D.C.
Posted in American Consumers, Barack Obama, Christopher Dodd, Congress, Economy, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Mortgages, Wall Street | 2 Comments »
Posted by Larry Doyle on February 28th, 2009 4:20 PM |
Warren Buffett’s annual letter to shareholders is always a highly anticipated event by market participants. Given the fact that Berkshire is effectively a diversified holdings company, Buffett has a unique perspective into a wide array of businesses. He also has the wisdom of investing over many years and through many challenging markets.
Well, if misery loves company, it has a solid partner in the person of Warren Buffett because 2008 was Berkshire Hathaway’s worst year ever. In reviewing Buffett’s letter allow me to offer some highlights. For those who have an even passing interest in the markets and investing, reading this letter is akin to attending an opera by Pavarotti.
I beg your indulgence as I attempt to be the opening act and provide an overview of the “Oracle of Omaha’s” thoughts on the markets and economy: (more…)
Tags: American Express, Berkshire Hathaway, Economy, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, markets, OFHEO, Oracle of Omaha, Pavarotti, U.S. Treasury, Wall Street Journal, Warren Buffet
Posted in Banking Institutions, Business, Commerce, Current Affairs, Deficit, Economic Stimulus, Economy, Employment, Equity Markets, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, General, Global Finance, Housing Crisis, Risk, S&P 500, Unemployment, Wall Street | 1 Comment »
Posted by Larry Doyle on February 26th, 2009 10:59 AM |
The government yesterday released the specifics of the Bank Stress Test to be undertaken by the 19 major banking institutions in our country. Those details in conjunction with the testimony provided this week by Treasury Secretary Geithner and Fed chair Bernanke provide a very clear signal as to the government’s approach to our economic problems. In my estimation they are clearly indicating they are going “all in!”
Before we get to the market reactions, allow me to share insights from a highly regarded bank analyst and then comment myself.
Most analysts and economists view the government’s worst case scenarios under the bank test as not much more severe than what many already expect. I’m an optimist by nature but live by the mantra of hope for the best, prepare for the worst. The market will discount the government’s worst case. (more…)
Tags: 1930s, AIG, Bank Stress Test, Ben Bernanke, Chris Whalen, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, government spending, New York Times, Office of Comptroller of Currency, Office of Thrift Supervision, taxes, Tim Geithner
Posted in American Consumers, Bailout, Bank Failure, Bank Nationalization, Ben Bernanke, Citigroup, Economy, Equity Markets, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Government funds, Tim Geithner | 3 Comments »
Posted by Larry Doyle on February 21st, 2009 6:43 PM |
Why do I believe we will see a wave of material on this topic? Well, whenever I see it I plan on updating my post Legalized Bribery so that Former Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and current CIA head Leon Panetta are continually vindicated.
Who lived rent free for 5 years in the Washington townhouse of a CT Congressman, directed hundreds of thousands of dollars to that Congressman’s husband’s lobbying effort, served on the board of Freddie Mac when it stifled Republican overtures, and now serves one door away from the Oval office?
Did Rahm Emanuel declare that rent-free arrangement as income? Did he pay taxes on it? Did he share that arrangement with the Congressional ethics committee? Rahm’s ‘Rent’ Is Just the Tip of Ethics Iceberg.
Change? No, this Legalized Bribery has been going on for a while.
LD
Tags: Bribery, CIA, ethics, Freddie Mac, Panetta, Rahm Emanuel, rent-free
Posted in Chuck Hagel, Commerce, Congress, Current Affairs, Freddie Mac, General, Leon Panetta, Rahm Emanuel, Republicans | 4 Comments »