Banks and Finance

September 23, 2008 - In the wake of the Wall Street meltdown, there seems to be a growing consensus that the free-rolling days of financial deregulation are a big part of the problem. Even Sen. John McCain is now calling for more regulation.

June 19, 2008 - A new study finds that older people are suffering the brunt of the bankruptcy and credit crisis.

April 29, 2008 - The RealtyTrac foreclosure report for the first quarter of 2008 is out.

April 23, 2008 - Over the last two decades, government grants for college have been increasingly replaced by loans. While a big boon to banks and lenders, the privatization of student aid has put those wanting to go to college in an increasingly precarious position.

April 20, 2008 - Amidst the Tax Day groans across the South and country this week, there was one piece of good news for low-income taxpayers: this year, four states -- including Louisiana and North Carolina -- started giving an Earned Income Tax Credit. As Stateline.org reports:

April 15, 2008 - For each dollar of U.S. federal income tax paid in 2007, amount spent on the military: 43 cents On health care: 20 cents On responses to poverty: 12 cents On education and jobs: 3 cents On diplomacy and foreign aid: 1 cent A major corporation's chance of being audited in 1990: 3 in 4

April 8, 2008 - In an example of the kind of pace-setting research that has made them the most useful resource on the subprime lending crisis, the Center for Responsible Lending released an important report today (pdf) on the role brokers play in loans to borrowers with lowe