Banker's Holiday: Strengthen "George Bailey's Law"

Ray Brescia, 12.23.2009

Assistant Professor of Law, Albany Law School

The season of holiday specials is in full swing and one stands out as particularly poignant in these economic times. In Frank Capra's timeless fable,...

Where's The Plan On Foreclosures? Force Banks To Reduce Loans!

John Taylor, 12.24.2009

President and CEO of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition

The Fed needs to go on the offensive and force banks to reduce loans to reflect their real property values -- not the values based on a Wall Street Ponzi scheme that drove up housing costs.

The Parable of the Unmerciful Bankers

Jim Wallis, 12.17.2009

Founder of Sojourners; speaker, author, activist

It's estimated that the bonus pool of just one of these big banks would have been enough money to prevent or significantly delay foreclosure for all 2.3 million people who lost their homes last year.

Should We All Stop Paying Our Mortgages?

Rohit Chopra, 12.16.2009

Tens of thousands of American families may remember Christmas of 2009 as the last time they'll spend a holiday in a home they own. Yet 2010 might not look much prettier.

Michigan's Desolation Row

Barry D. Wood, 12.15.2009

Writes about the global economy from Washington.

Here in southeast Michigan the recession feels more like depression. The region's unemployment rate is 17% and rising. Already, it is the highest jobless rate of any metropolitan area.

Foreclosing Of A Dream

Ryan McDermott, 12.14.2009

Veteran, Investment Banker

Helping a new generation achieve their dreams begins with strong families bound together through special experiences. That is why holidays are so vitally important.

A Call to Arms for Civil Rights Activists

Fred Redmond, 12.11.2009

United Steelworkers Vice President for Human Affairs

I challenged USW civil rights committee members to shield the downtrodden in society, to aid those felled by the current economic crisis, to serve as their brothers' and sisters' keepers.

Rediscovering Values: A Book I Didn't Plan to Write

Jim Wallis, 12.10.2009

Founder of Sojourners; speaker, author, activist

I am an Evangelical Christian. What does that mean? In part, I believe that Christmas, the celebration of Christ's birth, is good news. Not just t...

Bank failures in Georgia killing small business and households

Edward Harrison, 12.04.2009

Banking and finance specialist, Global Macro Advisors

This article originally appeared on my site Credit Writedowns. Note: Since this post was published, three more banks in Georgia have failed. Read deta...

AmTrust bankruptcy bad sign for regional banks

Edward Harrison, 12.02.2009

Banking and finance specialist, Global Macro Advisors

This article originally appeared on my site Credit Writedowns. AmTrust Financial, a privately held regional bank holding company based in Cleveland, ...

One in Seven

David M. Abromowitz, 12.03.2009

Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress

One in seven. That is the astounding proportion of American families in default on their home mortgages. And if we don't take bolder steps soon to get...

Totally Mod: Forcing Banks to the Table to Modify Foreclosures

Ray Brescia, 12.02.2009

Assistant Professor of Law, Albany Law School

The Obama administration has promised a new round of tactics to encourage banks to modify more mortgages. These steps include streamlining the modifi...

Revitalizing Homeownership and True Economic Recovery

Janis Bowdler, 12.02.2009

Deputy Director of the Wealth-Building Policy Project, National Council of La Raza

In the midst of slow-moving recovery plans, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is one of the only rays of light that American families have seen...

Mortgage Modification: What's HAMP-ering Progress?

Jill Schlesinger, 12.01.2009

Editor-at-Large, CBS MoneyWatch.com

Why aren't banks playing the mortgage modification game? We've been told that lenders prefer to modify and/or restructure loans, rather than enter int...

Lloyd Blankfein Gives Thanks

Andy Stern, 11.25.2009

President, SEIU

Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein has a lot to be thankful for this year. But among it all, he and other Wall Stree CEOs don't seem especially thankful for the American people.

More Pain For You And Me: The Economy's About To Stumble

Andrew Reinbach, 11.24.2009

Journalist

Since the likelihood of more federal stimulus packages is low -- unless they're called something like a "jobs bill" -- this will mean more pain and an even slower economy.

Race And Space: Segregation And Foreclosure

Jarrett Murphy, 11.23.2009

Investigations editor at City Limits

Not only did being black or Hispanic hurt your chances of getting a decent loan, but simply living in areas with high concentrations of blacks and Hispanics did, too.

Navigating the Jobs Crisis: 3 Strategies for Real Economic Recovery

Jim Carr, 11.20.2009

COO for the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC)

While there is legitimate concern over the size of the federal deficit, the threat to the economy of continued high levels of unemployment is more urgent. Unemployment is now the leading reason families are losing their homes.

Secretary Geithner: Is the Average American Too Small To Be Helped?

George Goehl, 11.16.2009

Executive Director, National People's Action

At 11 am today, fifty Americans from 10 states will gather outside the Department of Treasury to demand that Secretary Geithner summon the same determ...

Who Will Hold Goldman Accountable? - Might Just be Everyday People

George Goehl, 11.13.2009

Executive Director, National People's Action

Whether it is Goldman Sachs' central role in the subprime crisis, handing out hundreds of millions in bonuses soon after receiving a $10 billion taxpa...

Veterans: Lip Service, Bankers: Billions & America: Foreclosures - Here's The Fix

Dylan Ratigan, 11.12.2009

Host of MSNBC's "Morning Meeting" and "The Dylan Ratigan Show" on WABC radio

If we must resort to handouts to save our country, let's at least put them in the hands of the most deserving. We should start with the roughly 2 million veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.