Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'financial'

From Milken To Madoff: White Collar Crime In Focus

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:52:00 EST

Milken, Skilling, and Madoff. What lessons have we learned from these white collar bandits? Has our financial literacy improved to avoid such sweeping schemes in the future? For insight, Farai Chideya talks with Fortune magazine's Allan Sloan.

Judge Urged To Jail Madoff Without Bail

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST

Prosecutors in New York are asking a judge to put Bernard Madoff behind bars without bail. They told the judge Monday that the disgraced financier had violated bail conditions by mailing about a million dollars worth of jewelry and other assets to relatives. At about the same time in Washington, a House hearing got underway on how the alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme Madoff is accused of running eluded regulators.

Postal Service Sees Less Mail In Slumping Economy

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:38:00 EST

Mail volume suffers when the economy suffers, but this economic downturn is hitting the Postal Service particularly hard. The ailing housing and financial sectors, once heavy users of direct mail marketing, are cutting back. In the last fiscal year, mail carriers delivered 9.5 billion fewer letters and packages than the year before.

Russia Pushes To Grow Gazprom's Reach, Control

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:08:00 EST

Even as the global financial crisis pummels the economy, Moscow says it's going ahead with plans for large investments in Gazprom, the world's largest producer of natural gas. The company lies at the center of the Kremlin's strategy to boost control over global energy supplies.

The Mental Side To The Recession

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST

One of John McCain's senior advisers was fired after he said Americans were suffering through a mental recession. Some say he was partially right. We explore the connection between the current financial crisis and psychology.

Banks Have Money, Why Aren't They Lending...

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

Banks have received most of the government's bailout money. The idea was to stabilize the financial system and ease tight credit markets. In turn, banks would be willing to make more loans and that would help jump start the economy. But it hasn't quite worked out that way.

2008: The Year That Surprised Political Pundits

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

There were many surprising moments in politics in 2008. The year seemed to catch political observers and financial gurus by surprise.

Divorce Inquiries, Bank Heists, Economic Indicators...

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:59:00 EST

Lawyers and financial advisors in China say they're getting more questions about divorce. Some wealthy people say they want a breakup now. The settlement may be low because asset values are low. In Chicago last week, a man allegedly supplemented his income by robbing a bank. He handed a note to the teller demanding money. Police didn't have trouble finding him, since he left behind that demand, written on his pay stub.

Black Colleges Seek Shelter From Economic Storm

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

The financial woe faced by Morris Brown College is just the latest example of how a wounded economy creates serious challenges for higher education in America, and the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are no exception. Many of the schools already operate with limited resources. Hear analysis on the financial health of America's black colleges.

Moments In 2008 That Kept Us Talking

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

As 2008 ends, Tell Me More revisits some of the year's most memorable headlines. Pamela Gentry, of BET News; Abderrahim Foukara, of Al Jazeera News Channel; Marcus Mabry, of the New York Times and NPR's Ken Rudin reflect on a broad range of defining events in 2008 — from a heated White House race to a domestic financial meltdown.

2008 Tech Pick: Campaign Text Messaging

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

Even with the financial meltdown, technology companies have continued churning out gadgets or new advances of the devices we carry in our pockets, purses, or clip on our ears. Morning Edition tech guru Mario Armstrong selected one innovation as our technology pick of the year. He explains his decision to Renee Montagne.

Economically Speaking, Just How Bad Was 2008...

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

There were some remarkable and largely unforeseen financial and economic events in 2008. These events have plunged the world into what appears to be the worst recession since World War Two.

With Shaken Confidence, Investors Look To Future

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:26:00 EST

With the financial crisis, the steep decline in the stock market and the Madoff scandal, investor angst has given rise to short-term pessimism. But investors also feel optimistic about their financial future, according to recent surveys by Gallup and the Pew Research Center.

Jaffe's Role Studied In Madoff Case

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:41:00 EST

The Massachusetts Secretary of State has subpoenaed Robert M. Jaffe for questioning in an offshoot of the investigation into Bernard Madoff's financial dealings. Jaffe, who married into the wealthy Shapiro family of Boston, appears to have set up a company primarily to bring in clients for Madoff.

Asking For Help During The Holidays

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

Christmas this year comes as many Americans are unemployed, broke and underwater on their mortgages. Our personal finance contributor has advice on how to ask for assistance if you're in financial trouble during the holiday season.

Madoff Scandal Parallels 1905 Play

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

The saga of disgraced Wall Street kingpin Bernard Madoff reads like a David Mamet play. And several years back, Mamet did adapt an old play about a Ponzi scheme — The Voysey Inheritance, written in 1905. Financial blogger Felix Salmon talks to Andrea Seabrook about the parallels between Voysey and Madoff.

Following Madoff's Money Trail

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 10:24:00 EST

Since the news broke of a $50 billion swindle allegedly carried out by financier Bernard Madoff, one big question is: Where's the money? A forensic accountant gives us the clues.

Q&A: A Bailout For GM And Chrysler

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:25:00 EST

Bypassing a reluctant Congress, the Bush administration says it will loan $17.4 billion to U.S. automakers, tapping the $700 billion approved for the rescue of financial companies. The companies have until March 31 to come up with viable survival plans.

Automakers Wait For Bush To Jump In

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

The auto industry was battered by the defeat of its bailout package in the Senate. Then word came that the White House was willing to use some of the bailout funds approved earlier for the financial industry. But since then, the Bush administration hasn't acted.

Subtle Wording Keeps Banks From Going Under

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

One of the crucial moments in the economic crisis came last month when Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced the government would help banks by purchasing billions of dollars of their stock. Paulson had previously opposed the idea but some people credit it with preventing financial collapse. Paulson only had authority to buy that stock because of some subtle wording that made it into the bailout bill.

Obama Names SEC Pick

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama has named Mary Schapiro to head the Securities and Exchange Commission. In a news conference in Chicago, Obama said government regulators "had dropped the ball," leading to the financial meltdown.

Obama Names Marcy Schapiro For SEC

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

Mary Schapiro has her work cut our for her. As President-elect Barack Obama's pick as head of the Securities and Exchange Committee, she's in charge of regulating and watching Wall Street — a position under heavy fire after the financial collapse in September.

California Freezes Construction Projects

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

California financial officials voted Wednesday to freeze nearly $4 billion in financing for construction projects across the state. We visited some projects in northern California that are threatened by the funding cutoff.

Madoff Red Flags Were There All Along

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

In 2001, reporter Erin Arvedlund wrote an article for the financial weekly Barrons that was skeptical of Bernard Madoff's strategy and performance on Wall Street. She questioned how Madoff was able to offer good returns. She talks with Steve Inskeep about the impetus for her story and what she learned in the process.

Company Behind Chrysler Maintains Privacy

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

Cerberus is the private equity firm that owns most of automaker Chrysler. The company is private and makes no financial disclosures to anyone, including Congress. It has said it won't put any more of its own dollars in Chrysler, but it still wants taxpayer help.