The longest downturn of the 20th century began in August 1929 and did not end until March 1933, three and one-half years later. During this Great Depression:

GDP contracted by 30%;
Unemployment rose from 3% to 25%;
Consumer prices fell 27%; and
Bank insolvencies created waves of financial crises.

The current financial crisis is the most severe since [...]

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VIDEO:  In The Know: Are America’s Rich Falling Behind The Super-Rich? -   Panelists discuss a new study showing the gap between the wealthy and the absurdly wealthy is widening, and how we can help the merely rich catch up. – TheOnion.com – thanks John Cervarich

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A Simple Plan:  Market’s View of Stimulus – The market doesn’t [...]

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To Our Clients, Colleagues and Friends, 

The new standards for ordering appraisals go into effect on May 1st, barely two months away.  Are you ready for them?

The U.S. government has purchased $45 billion in preferred stock from the Bank of America.  Interestingly, the BofA’s market cap is down to $25 billion.  Or look at Citigroup, which [...]

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Q: What’s the problem with Barack Obama jokes?
A: His supporters don’t think they’re funny and other people don’t think they’re jokes.

There is no shortage of critics, or jokes, when you’re president. Most recently, Obama’s mortgage plan for Fannie & Freddie is being faulted since Fannie and Freddie’s charters prohibit the acquisition of new loans with [...]

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