Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'debt'

Obama's Debt To The 'Moses Generation'

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:41:00 EST

David Remnick, editor-in-chief of The New Yorker, discusses Obama's debt to the "Moses generation" of American civil rights leaders — activists who made it possible for Obama to lead his own "Joshua generation."

Investor Sees Riches While Others See Toxicity

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:34:00 EST

Barry Silbert sees the potential for profit in toxic assets. He wants to use his company, SecondMarket, as a place where would-be buyers and sellers can get together to settle on a price for collateralized debt obligations and all those other hard-to-value asset-backed securities.

Credit-Card Debt May Be Next Problem

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:27:00 EST

Some economists are concerned that the next hit to the economy may come from credit card defaults. USA Today economic reporter Kathy Chu talks about parallels between the housing bubble and the market for credit card debt.

Paulson Says Focus Of Bailout Will Shift

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:29:00 EST

Instead of being used to buy toxic assets, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says a $700 billion bailout program will be used in other ways to stabilize financial markets. The program will now include companies that issue credit card debt, auto loans and student loans.

Felix Rohatyn's View Of The Financial Crisis

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:56:00 EDT

At age 80, investment banker Felix Rohatyn has weathered many fiscal storms, from playing a key role in restructuring New York City's crippling debt in the 1970s to advising Lehman Brothers in recent years. Rohatyn offers some insight on the current fiscal crisis.

Dutch Bank ING The Latest To Get A Cash Infusion

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Governments around the world continue to announce financial rescue plans. Dutch officials poured more than $13 billion into their country's largest bank, ING. Over the weekend, ING became the latest European bank to seek government help. And Swedish officials have announced they're setting up a bailout fund. They'll also guarantee some Swedish bank debt worth $200 billion.

Credit Markets Need A Dose Of Faith

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

In the current financial crisis, banks have no way of knowing which of the businesses they lend to are good for their debts. The term "counterparty risk" refers to the risk that someone you're doing business with won't be able to pay up. The new federal rescue measures are designed to restore faith between counterparties.

U.S. Investing In Banks To Free Up Lending

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:43:00 EDT

The Bush administration unveiled a historic plan aimed at restoring confidence in the financial system and blunting further damage to the economy. The government plans to spend about $250 billion to buy equity stakes in banks and will guarantee new bank debt for the next three years.

European Nations Agree To Bank Debt Guarantee

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:39:00 EDT

Europe is taking stronger, coordinated action to restore confidence in the continent's banking system. Fifteen euro zone countries have agreed to guarantee future loans among banks through the end of next year, according to French President Nicolas Sarkozy. NPR's Frank Langfitt talks to host Andrea Seabrook about European credit markets, which have seized up as there as they have in the U.S.

It's A Sign Of The Times

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The National Debt Clock has run out of numbers. The giant sign in New York City changes constantly as the federal debt increases. It was put up years ago by a real estate developer horrified that the debt was approaching $3 trillion. Some years ago, the clock stopped when the U.S. started running a surplus. But now it's running again, and when the debt struck $10 trillion recently, the owners had to improvise an extra number one.

Iceland Shivers From Financial Crisis

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Iceland could become the first "national bankruptcy" of the global financial crisis. The nation's currency has lost nearly half of its value and banks are collapsing under the heavy debt. Tom Braithwaite, a reporter for the Financial Times, talks with Ari Shapiro about Iceland's financial mess.

Federal Reserve Tries To Get Credit Moving Again

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:52:00 EDT

The government announced Tuesday that it plans to buy huge amounts of short-term debts from companies. The Fed will buy "commercial paper," a short-term financing mechanism that many companies use to finance their day-to-day operations, like meeting payroll or purchasing supplies.

Fed to Buy Massive Amounts Of Short-Term Debt

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:39:00 EDT

The Federal Reserve announced Tuesday a dramatic plan to buy massive amounts of short-term debts in an effort to break through the country's credit clog. Officials say the Fed will buy "commercial paper," a short-term financing mechanism that many companies rely on to finance their day-to-day operations, such as purchasing supplies or making payrolls. The market for this crucial financing, which relies on investors rather than banks, has virtually dried up.

Credit Crisis Spreads To Hospitals, Colleges

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:59:00 EDT

The credit crisis has moved from big institutions like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to smaller institutions like hospitals, colleges and non-profits. Rising interest rates are limiting their ability to expand, and they warn rising debt payments will cut into staff and services.

Analyzing China's Exposure To U.S. Debt

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EDT

Stephen Green, head of research at Standard Chartered Bank in Shanghai, speaks with host Liane Hansen about how the global financial crisis has hit China. China has close to $1.3 trillion invested in U.S. debt with up to $500 billion in agency securities.

In Times Square, Debt Clock Running Out Of Space

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:51:00 EDT

Since 1989 a large digital clock near Times Square has tallied the country's national debt. When the clock was built, it only had enough space to tally the debt up to $9.9 trillion. But now, the debt is on the verge of crossing over into the tens of trillions of dollars.

Buffett To Buy $5B Stake In Goldman

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:47:00 EDT

Warren Buffett is investing $5 billion dollars in Goldman Sachs. Buffett's decision comes at a critical time for Goldman. Buffett said he believes Congress will approve a plan to buy up bad mortgage debt from Goldman and other firms.

Paulson, Bernanke Face Skepticism In Congress

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:41:00 EDT

On Capitol Hill, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson tried to sell his rescue plan for financial institutions. Joined by other top finance officials, he defended the $700 billion request to buy bad debt. They faced some skepticism from senators.

Cost Of Financial Bailout In Hundreds Of Billions

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:14:00 EDT

President Bush and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson are asking Congress to move swiftly on a proposal to buy up bad mortgage debt from Wall Street firms. The cost of the program could run into the hundreds of billions of dollars.

Lehman Fallout Hits Money Market Fund

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:29:00 EDT

The Lehman Brothers bankrupty is having a ripple effect on a well-known money market fund. Individual investors could unexpectedly lose money they invested in the fund. The fund's share value declined below $1 a share largely because Lehman debt securities that it owned are now valued at zero.

Credit Swaps May Further Imperil Markets

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:38:00 EDT

The complex debt securities known as credit default swaps are used as insurance for a wide range of financial products. Lehman Brothers' involvement in credit default swaps increases the exposure of credit markets to further risk.

Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 'Music, Money, Madness'

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:52:00 EDT

Sammy Davis, Jr. made $50 million singing, dancing and cavorting with the Rat Pack but died impoverished and in debt to the IRS. Matt Birjeck, author of the biography Deconstructing Sammy, discusses the entertainer's legacy.

Fannie Mae Raises Billions In Debt Offering

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Fannie Mae was able to raise $7 billion Wednesday without having to pay a big premium. Analysts call this an indication that the federal government's decision to take over the troubled mortgage company has helped the housing market.

Fannie, Freddie And America's Role In Global Economy

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

China is the largest purchaser of the debt of mortgage giants, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Both the United States and China depend on the companies for economic survival.

What To Do With Extra Money

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

So you came into a large inheritance? What do you do with it? Our personal finance expert weighs the options — spending it, saving it, paying off credit card debt and reducing students loans.