Monday 20th May
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Hey Everybody… It’s “Pretend You’re Surprised About the Economy Day!”
Written on 1 Jun, 2011 at 9:51
Falling Home Prices, the Next Financial Crisis is Near, Defaulters Aren't Deadbeats After All, the Economy with Gwen Ifill and MERS has No Clothes.... (Continue reading)
Dylan Ratigan on “Fraudclosure” Still Seems to be “Lite” on Servicers
Written on 1 Jun, 2011 at 4:59
I'm not kidding about this... every morning I wake up, get my coffee, turn on some cable news show, look over at my wife and say: "Look at that, honey... BofA didn't blow up again today! Will wonders never... (Continue reading)
Today’s New… “But, You Didn’t Make Your Payment” Exemption to the Law
Written on 29 May, 2011 at 19:20
Don't make this more complicated than it need be. If you came and repossessed my car but were NOT the person or entity holding my pink slip, then we had a phrase to describe that occurrence as well ...... (Continue reading)
On Friday I turned 50 years old, and although I haven’t changed, this country sure has…
Written on 29 May, 2011 at 17:01
What’s changed is this country. It’s not at all the same as it’s been throughout my lifetime, in fact it’s very different in quite a few substantive ways… do you feel it too, or is it just me? ... (Continue reading)
Paula Pennypacker – An Arizona Republican Conservative Finds Mandelman Matters
Written on 24 May, 2011 at 4:33
Today, she writes a Republican conservative blog on azcentral.com. And she’s found Mandelman Matters and joined the group of Americans who know the foreclosure crisis must be stopped. ... (Continue reading)
Breaking Down the Real Cause of the Foreclosure Crises
Written on 23 May, 2011 at 7:29
In 2014, it will be seven years since the meltdown began in the summer of 2007, and something in the neighborhood of 15 million homes will have been lost to foreclosure. And there’s no reason to believe that foreclosures... (Continue reading)
When Auditing Foreclosures, the OCC’s Definition of the Word “Thorough” is “Hidden”
Written on 21 May, 2011 at 9:50
The findings of the independent reviews will be… sealed… closed to the public… whatever the independent reviews uncover or determine will remain a well-publicized secret. ... (Continue reading)
KILL BILL: Arizona Mortgage Lender’s Association Takes Credit for Killing SB 1259
Written on 19 May, 2011 at 6:33
Hagen went on to explain that he had lobbied “the individual that issued the strike everything amendment, which I would say would have to be Rep Nancy McClain, but I suppose it could also have something to do with Sen.... (Continue reading)
Mandelman Responds to SF Chronicle Article: Fighting Banks and Winning – How Homeowners Did it
Written on 12 May, 2011 at 10:00
Why did you become a reporter, Carolyn? Because if it was to write about events such as these in the style and tone of your article, then I'd suggest you consider looking for a copywriting gig at an ad agency.... (Continue reading)
The Most Damaging Propaganda Campaign in History. And its Aimed at You and Me
Written on 4 May, 2011 at 1:12
Debt is a status symbol… debt is a sign of success… debt is cool… you should want as much debt as you can get… being approved for more debt means you’ve made it. I want to be a gold... (Continue reading)
St. Louis BBB Warns Homeowners: “Steer Clear of Mass Joinder Lawsuit Mailings”
Written on 24 Apr, 2011 at 6:18
Mitchell Stein’s complaint in the Ronald v. Bank of America lawsuit has been used as the model for suits filed by Phillip Kramer and others. I spoke with Mitch for several hours the other day and I can tell... (Continue reading)
FEDS Announce Enforcement Actions Against 14 Servicers, LPS and MERS… Hot Towels in Washrooms Threatened Once Again
Written on 19 Apr, 2011 at 14:41
Still, I’m committed to covering this subject even when doing so means that I have to start drinking at 9:30 in the morning… kidding, I’m just kidding… so, here’s the news on the FEDS and their “enforcement actions,” and I... (Continue reading)
A Crush on Matt Taibbi and a Pox on Both Their Houses
Written on 19 Apr, 2011 at 5:49
So, the strategy now seems quite clear: Our government decided to address the financial crisis and economic meltdown by handing out hundreds of millions to the wives of Wall Street executives so they could invest in student loans and commercial... (Continue reading)
Bank of America’s “Tasmanian Devil” says we shouldn’t be thinking of our homes as “assets”.
Written on 18 Apr, 2011 at 22:41
Now, if all of that weren’t enough to make the case for Bryan Moynihan being this month’s REAR, here’s what really got me started on him in the first place. Last month, at the 2011 National Association of Attorneys... (Continue reading)
Ex-Asst. Treasury Secretary Herb Allison Back at Beautiful Connecticut Home
Written on 18 Mar, 2011 at 12:04
See, because in the old days public servants, those that worked for the government, seemed to make less money than Phil Donahue or Marlo Thomas. They didn't used to have 7,379-sq.ft. 1911 wood and stucco $25 million Greens... (Continue reading)
BoA’s Bad Bank – Pay No Attention to the 6.7 Million Loans Behind the Curtain
Written on 13 Mar, 2011 at 23:57
See, these are the kinds of things that make me afraid of the world around me… like, now I don’t want to even leave my house. Does stuff like this work on “investors?” What… are the “investors” he... (Continue reading)
House Financial Services Committee: Spending $1610 to Save a Home is Too Much – Votes to Kill HAMP
Written on 11 Mar, 2011 at 8:56
You should all hide your faces from the people who sent you to Washington… you should all be ashamed for everything you have and haven’t done. Your ignorance and insensitivity will be disdained for many years to come.... (Continue reading)
Republicans Leap to the Aid of Banker-Servicers Over AG Settlement Proposal
Written on 10 Mar, 2011 at 9:52
But, unquestionably, the best part of Senator’s Shelby’s largely unintelligible rant, was when he threw down the “don’t fine them or there’ll be no lending” card. He draws that card like a gun, doesn’t he? He even sounds... (Continue reading)
Homeowner Suffers Horrific Injustice at the Hands of JPMorgan Chase
Written on 4 Mar, 2011 at 12:46
We're not people who simply decided to skip out on our mortgage. We did everything as upright and by the book as we were instructed to do by Chase yet we still lost our home. On the day they took... (Continue reading)
In Re Walker, Part Deux – March 3rd, 2011, may just be a HUGE day for California Homeowners
Written on 1 Mar, 2011 at 20:11
So, Citi’s lawyers filed a new proof of claim… and Ricki Walker’s attorney, Mitchell Abdallah, filed a new objection, so Judge Sargis will once again have a chance to uphold the rule of law and change the playing field for... (Continue reading)
Fannie Mae’s Latest Housing Survey Shows Many Have No Idea What’s Happening
Written on 1 Mar, 2011 at 6:33
When that is understood by the majority of Americans, I believe we will finally be ready to throw away the meaningless distinctions, "responsible homeowners and irresponsible homeowners," and we'll return to just being American homeowners. ... (Continue reading)
Guest Post: Principal Reduction Modification Math, by Rick Rogers, JD/MBA
Written on 27 Feb, 2011 at 10:57
This report will compare the Net Present Value (NPV), of standard Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), modifications with Principal Reduction Alternative HAMP (PRA HAMP) modifications. If the mortgage principal balance on a home exceeds 115% of its market value,... (Continue reading)
If at first you don’t succeed, CRIME, CRIME again.
Written on 27 Feb, 2011 at 10:32
I’m not going to attempt to write some scathing or potentially insightful commentary about Mr. Mozilo, I’m sure that’s been done many times before, and frankly… he bores me to no end. But, at the same time I felt... (Continue reading)
Is HAMP Poised to Improve in Year 3?
Written on 27 Feb, 2011 at 6:53
Laurie, as “the architect” of the HAMP program, are you aware that these servicers you’re pandering to at the Mortgage Bankers Association conference, have been nothing short of torturing America’s homeowners relentlessly, mercilessly, and without rhyme or reason for three... (Continue reading)
Sen. Whitehouse Questions Expose a Kinder, Gentler and possibly more Frightened Tim Geithner
Written on 19 Feb, 2011 at 6:56
They've finally realized it... do you think? They thought other things would have happened by now as a result of pumping trillions into banks and the economy overall... and they haven't. And housing is in a free fall,... (Continue reading)
Federal Regulators to Bring Enforcement Actions Against Banks… May Get Rid of Hot Towels in Washroom
Written on 17 Feb, 2011 at 11:27
You know what… go to hell. How about the servicers offer “enhanced, streamlined modifications to troubled borrowers” just because it’s the right thing to do? How about the servicers do it because although they can never come close... (Continue reading)
New Fed Governor Sarah Bloom Raskin Gives Me Reason to Hope
Written on 15 Feb, 2011 at 15:53
I read her speech yesterday evening; parts actually gave me chills, and parts left me with a hopeful tear in my eye. She says almost exactly what I’ve written in my articles on at least dozens and at this... (Continue reading)
New Bankruptcy Court Decision Sounds the Alarm – The USS MERS is Going Down
Written on 14 Feb, 2011 at 10:07
Now, clearly this is a decision that’s worth reading for one’s self… Judge Grossman is one heck of a writer and not one to play patty-cake with MERS or those of the banking persuasion, but I thought I’d at least... (Continue reading)
Republicans Preparing to Play Politics With HAMP
Written on 31 Jan, 2011 at 7:17
So, just curious… who woke up the House Republicans, a group who have otherwise been fast asleep these last two-plus years, at least as far as the foreclosure crisis is concerned. In point of fact, over the last two... (Continue reading)
California Appeals Court Rules Homeowners Can Sue Banks for Fraud Over Broken Loan Modification Promises
Written on 29 Jan, 2011 at 9:36
See… this is an excellent example of why I’m starting to think we’ve become too civilized a society. I was born back in Brooklyn, New York, I mostly grew up in Pittsburgh, and my wife’s from the City... (Continue reading)
KA-BOOM! INVESTORS FILE SUIT: Bank of America, Countrywide and named executives committed “MASSIVE” SECURITIES FRAUD related to Mortgage-backed Securities
Written on 25 Jan, 2011 at 10:24
So, if the investors that are supposed to own the loans that are supposed to be assigned to the trusts say the notes were never assigned to them, and therefore they say they don’t have the right to foreclose… how... (Continue reading)
$160 Million to DEFEND Fannie & Freddie? Now, if I could only find that damn rabbit hole I must have slid down…
Written on 24 Jan, 2011 at 10:42
So, we the taxpayers have spent $160 Million DEFENDING them? Defending them? Gretchen… I think you must have a typo there, right? Shouldn’t the question be, how much are we spending to PROSECUTE them? I mean,... (Continue reading)
How Banks View Loan Modifications
Written on 23 Jan, 2011 at 13:29
They’re manipulating you into feeling ashamed for being in trouble on your mortgage… but don’t let them make you feel that way. It’s not your fault… it’s the banks that wear the black hats in this horror movie, make... (Continue reading)
GMAC… Payments or Not, The Foreclosure Machine that Just Won’t Stop
Written on 15 Jan, 2011 at 1:55
The first time GMAC foreclosed on the couple’s home was back in 2001. Totally current on their mortgage payments, it must have come as quite a shock. Once in foreclosure, GMAC wouldn’t accept their monthly payments, so... (Continue reading)
Strategic Defaults Don’t Really Exist… Who would have thought that? Oh, that’s right… ME.
Written on 12 Jan, 2011 at 8:29
I don’t like to do this, but I’ve been trying to point this nonsense out for so many months now, I can’t even keep track. I didn’t need a study to know this, I come up with my conclusions... (Continue reading)
Finally, Housing Market Analysts Starting to Get It
Written on 8 Jan, 2011 at 21:47
Housing prices may someday be high again, like the way they were a few years ago, but that's a subject for the next generation, or even the one after that. It's not something for me, at 49 years old...... (Continue reading)
Florida AG Pam Bondi Presentation on Foreclosure Fraud
Written on 6 Jan, 2011 at 0:33
And forgetting the homeowners for a moment, if these financial institutions are capable of this type of fraud, how can we or others around the world ever trust them. ... (Continue reading)
I Have Several Questions for Mortgage and Real Estate Experts…
Written on 5 Jan, 2011 at 19:35
There is no “market,” right? We really don’t know how low prices have already gone down to, because if the foreclosures were on the market or if banks were actually kicking all the people out that haven’t made payments... (Continue reading)
Geithner Won’t Quit in Battle Over Elizabeth Warren – WE NEED YOU NOW!
Written on 1 Jan, 2011 at 12:49
I didn’t realize it was liberal to want to see someone put a stop to the kind of abusive lending behavior that has stripped the middle class of just about everything they had. I guess conservatives are now the... (Continue reading)
Mandelman Comments on Jr. Deputy Accountant.com – Holiday Sales Numbers
Written on 29 Dec, 2010 at 20:37
I'm not sure if this means anything or not, but about holiday retail activity in stores like Nordstrom... well, I live in Southern California... Orange County... the O.C. if that helps, and I took some photos of the Nordstom in... (Continue reading)
You Better Watch Out, I’m Telling You Why… BofA is Coming to Town… And, they might just break your door down!
Written on 22 Dec, 2010 at 10:49
Well, I’d have to say nicely done there, Bank of America, all around. I mean, you managed to take a woman from sending you $15,000 to take over the home out of probate after her husband died… her “haven”... (Continue reading)
The Kings and Queens Loan Mod Scammers: Arizona & Nevada Sue Bank of America Over Loan Modification Program
Written on 21 Dec, 2010 at 16:54
So, when the opportunity came up to investigate the banks as a result of things like robo-signers fraudulently signing affidavits in order to foreclose on people’s homes, came to light, Terry Goddard was one of the state attorneys general to... (Continue reading)
Foreclosures Poised to Take Down the U.S. Banking System… and even entire economy, says Whalen. (Ya’ think?)
Written on 21 Dec, 2010 at 7:32
“Laurie Goodman of Amherst Securities predicts that 1 in 5 mortgages could go into foreclosure without radical action.” Now just a minute here… you’re not saying that one out of five people with mortgages are “irresponsible sub-prime borrowers who never... (Continue reading)
Oh, Stop It! Obama-GOP Deal to Extend Bush Tax Cuts Won’t “Create” 3.1 Million Jobs.
Written on 12 Dec, 2010 at 11:49
I realize that Obama was ready to allow the tax cuts to expire now, but he’s also okay with allowing another 4-5 million homes be lost to foreclosure next year, and the same number the year after that. And... (Continue reading)
Who’s Winning Here? The Foreclosure Crisis – A Slide Show
Written on 9 Dec, 2010 at 8:52
Facing Change: Documenting America is a non-profit collective of dedicated photojournalists and writers coming together to explore America and to build a forum to chart its future. Mobilizing to document the critical issues facing America, FCDA teams will create a... (Continue reading)
Securitization Workshop in Sacramento, December 11, 2010… for Attorneys & Other Interested Parties
Written on 6 Dec, 2010 at 15:44
This Securitization Workshop promises to be important, educational, and entertaining... it may be designed for lawyers, but I know lots of homeowners that would enjoy attending, and likely come away with actionable knowledge that could help save theirs and millions... (Continue reading)
How to Tell Legitimate Loan Modification Firm from an Illegal Operation or Scam… The FTC’s New Bright Line MARS Rule
Written on 6 Dec, 2010 at 13:55
The facts of the matter today as related to the foreclosure crisis and loan modifications, however, could not be considered positive, I’m afraid. Help does not appear to be on the way, or on the horizon. As inconceivable... (Continue reading)
The Fed Releases: The Beige Book, December 1, 2010, Summary of Economic Conditions. And I don’t know what we’d do without them.
Written on 2 Dec, 2010 at 6:33
The Beige Book, as it’s commonly known, is a report published eight times each year. Each of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks, which are located throughout the country, “gathers anecdotal information on current economic conditions in its District through reports... (Continue reading)
Twas the Night Before Christmas, 2007
Written on 24 Nov, 2010 at 18:10
Here's the first year I wrote Twas the Night Before Christmas as a year-in-review online. You'll find 2008 & 2009 here on Mandelman Matters, as well. They're posted in the section "People Say I'm Funny." Reading them... (Continue reading)
T’was the Night Before Christmas… 2010
Written on 24 Nov, 2010 at 16:01
I write this political year-in-review holiday poem every year. I love doing it, and I hope you'll enjoy reading it and will send it to others of like mind as well. Happy Holidays!... (Continue reading)
Mandelman U. Presents: There’s Credit Default Swaps & then there’s Credit Default Swaps
Written on 23 Nov, 2010 at 12:24
Seventy percent of the U.S. economy is driven by consumer spending, which has been driven by borrowing over the last ten years. Even if we wanted to do so, we can’t borrow our way back to prosperity this time... (Continue reading)
FTC Moves to Protect Homeowners With New MARS Rule – Regulates Loan Modifications Nationwide
Written on 20 Nov, 2010 at 6:53
In fact, in California specifically, where there is already a state law governing advance fees, known as SB 94, lawyers will see very little change when the new FTC rule takes effect at the end of this calendar year. ... (Continue reading)
IT’S BACK & IT’S HERE: Mandelman’s Monthly Museletter – Version 9.0
Written on 19 Nov, 2010 at 16:55
1. Help is NOT on the Way… 2. Go see the documentary “INSIDE JOB”… if it’s not already too late. 3. One and Done… I Agree… Obama Shouldn’t Run in 2012. 4. The Government is Launching Criminal Probes Into... (Continue reading)
QE2 Leaves Port, Bernanke Takes Leave of Senses
Written on 15 Nov, 2010 at 13:59
I want to go on record as saying that Bernanke’s QE2 has no chance of working, in the sense that it will do nothing positive in the long run, and won’t even do much in the short run to help... (Continue reading)
Well, Would You Look at That: Elizabeth Warren Might Be Replaced by a Bank Lobbyist
Written on 11 Nov, 2010 at 5:35
So, take a few minutes and write to your elected representative about this. No one else, unless you feel like it, just your person in Congress. Tell them this line of thought is unacceptable, that we want Elizabeth... (Continue reading)
Chief Judge Gonzalez calls WaMu’s Conduct “Immoral, Unethical, Oppressive, Unscrupulous or Substantially Injurious to Consumers” (You go, Your Honor.)
Written on 10 Nov, 2010 at 0:18
Now, tell the truth… I’m not saying that this is what happened next, but what if I told you that the next thing that happened was that Khast bought a handgun and shot a banker in the head, would you... (Continue reading)
Why Servicers Foreclose When They Should Modify… YAWN.
Written on 8 Nov, 2010 at 19:36
So, I have bad news... help is not on its way. No one is going to do anything to make this situation better. It's up to us and us alone. In my mind this is war, people,... (Continue reading)
ANOTHER THUMPIN’. And, damn if he doesn’t have me hoping for change again.
Written on 5 Nov, 2010 at 16:10
It’s worth considering, for example, that in the extreme crisis of the last two years, we might have dutifully followed a president if he would have just read us a bedtime story about a rabbit and a mule a couple... (Continue reading)
This country has changed. And it hasn’t. The power of the people remains intact.
Written on 3 Nov, 2010 at 5:21
Join me now for the stories of three such Americans. May their stories remind you of the power we all posses to serve our country and help it grow and prosper, so that our government of the people, by... (Continue reading)
Alright Banker-People… That’s Enough. You’re Not Making Sense and You’re Making Me Dizzy
Written on 12 Oct, 2010 at 8:36
You don’t think so? Then tell me what you think would happen if I walked into a courtroom and handed the judge a fraudulent set of documents requesting that he ignore procedures designed to protect property rights in this... (Continue reading)
THE SiGNiNG… Or, Pardon me, Mr. Banker, but your REMIC is showing.
Written on 10 Oct, 2010 at 10:11
So, why didn’t the bankers assign the loans to the trusts? I don’t know… for sure. But I’m going to go out on a limb here and tell you it’s because they wanted to borrow against them, and... (Continue reading)
Bringing Up the Rear: Treasury Secretary Tim “Transparency” Geithner and his Band of Banking Sadists
Written on 27 Sep, 2010 at 5:49
But Treasury officials told the bloggers that they knew all along that it wouldn’t work, that homeowners would be foreclosed on left and right, but, they explained, that was okay with them. In fact, it was a good thing.... (Continue reading)
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – Our Tax Dollars at Work
Written on 26 Sep, 2010 at 0:31
How many homes could we have saved with $111 MILLION, Wendy? How many people could we have fed… or trained to be able to get a new job one day? We’re talking about $111 MILLION, damn it. ... (Continue reading)
PROFILES IN BANKING: If Your Mortgage is With Wells Fargo, Watch Out … No Delays Ahead!
Written on 19 Sep, 2010 at 21:26
I don’t know Wells Fargo… you do whatever you want, but it looks to me like you’re losing friends in Congress and even in the White House. As are your pals, by the way. You can just go... (Continue reading)
Bringing Up the Rear: Senator Christopher J. Dodd
Written on 19 Sep, 2010 at 17:20
Now that Elizabeth Warren has been appointed to the post, albeit temporarily, support her with whatever support you can offer, Senator Dodd. Let the ones that oppose Elizabeth Warren stand naked in the light. And the American consumer….... (Continue reading)
President Obama… Thank You. Elizabeth Warren… Will You Marry Me?
Written on 15 Sep, 2010 at 20:53
But that was before I knew Elizabeth Warren as the TARP chief... the Harvard professor... the advocate for the middle class... the woman who was the only person in Washington D.C. who could stare down Treasury Secretary Tim "Transparency" Geithner... (Continue reading)
Short Sale Lease-Backs Make Total Sense – Fannie, Freddie and Servicers Are the Problem
Written on 8 Sep, 2010 at 17:30
So, what’s not to love? Banks win by getting more for the property than would otherwise be the case. Investors win through earning a return that averages 15% on their investment. Banks win by getting more for the... (Continue reading)
Treasury Designs New Federal Program to Help Stimulate Economy
Written on 7 Sep, 2010 at 22:31
Secretary Geithner explained the program to reporters while waiting for his dessert soufflé to rise. Those in attendance said that he told the group that the program would help homeowners and get the economy back on track by removing... (Continue reading)
Podcast: Mandelman in the Morning – Labor Day
Written on 6 Sep, 2010 at 13:29
1. Lehman Bros. CEO says bankruptcy wasn't Lehman's Fault. 2. Stimulus is folly. 3. Call it a depression. 4. Geithner's happy about HAMP. 5. Foreclosures breed foreclosures. 6. AZ's loan mod program won't work. ... (Continue reading)
Banks Kick Consumer’s Butts Once Again – SB 1275 Dies in the California Assembly
Written on 1 Sep, 2010 at 7:41
Even though the bill was supported by EVERYONE but the banking lobby, it was rejected 36-30 in the Assembly. Even after it was approved by the state Senate and three Assembly committees. This time… no… but thank you... (Continue reading)
AMERICA LOST: Treasury’s meetings with bloggers tells a story that I didn’t want to hear.
Written on 30 Aug, 2010 at 10:34
It made me sad to know what Treasury Department officials had said about the foreclosure crisis and HAMP… very, very sad. In fact, I can’t think of another time in history when my government acted as these guys have... (Continue reading)
Care to Guess How Many NEW Homes Sold Over $750,000 in June and July?
Written on 29 Aug, 2010 at 0:50
The biggest question I have about the real estate market is… why are we all pretending that there’s a real estate market at all. There’s no real estate market in this country, hasn’t been one since July 10, 2007,... (Continue reading)
Federal Court: Borrower is INTENDED 3rd Party Beneficiary of HAMP – Homeowner Sues for Breach
Written on 25 Aug, 2010 at 6:57
Potential Game-Changer Alert... District Court Judge Says Homeowner is the Intended Third Party Beneficiary to the contract between Fannie and servicers... and that means the right to sue yours.... (Continue reading)
It’s a Matter of Principal – HAMP’s New PRA
Written on 6 Aug, 2010 at 7:31
And NPV 4.0 is what drives the PRA, which is a “deferred principal reduction program” that allows the homeowner to earn a principal reduction over a three-year timeframe by making all payments in accordance with the loan’s modified terms. According... (Continue reading)
Bringing Up the Rear: Me, Martin Andelman
Written on 4 Aug, 2010 at 6:38
It’s a credit crisis, a global financial crisis, a foreclosure crisis, an economic catastrophe, the total destruction of the secondary mortgage market, the end of pension plan investing and Wall Street’s investment banks, and an ongoing example of why derivatives... (Continue reading)
Mandelman on the News Dissector Radio Show
Written on 29 Jul, 2010 at 3:27
My goodness, I've been doing quite a few radio programs on the foreclosure crisis and loan modifications and the economy lately, have you noticed? I really like doing the radio show thing, it's a lot easier than writing long,... (Continue reading)
Greenspan Says Housing is Nowhere Near Bottom
Written on 26 Jul, 2010 at 22:13
It's amazing how different it is when you're the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, as opposed to being the retired Chairman of the Federal Reserve. ... (Continue reading)
Apparently Europeans Handle Bad News Better Than We Do
Written on 26 Jul, 2010 at 17:49
Because, believe it or not, not everyone agrees with our Treasury Secretary, or our President for that matter, when they say that our economy is “on track”. In fact, many think that quite the opposite is the case, and... (Continue reading)
Barofsky’s Report: Taxpayer Support for Financial Sector Now $3.7 Trillion
Written on 24 Jul, 2010 at 5:47
Taxpayer support for the financial system grew by $700 billion last year, and has now reached roughly $3.7 trillion, including TARP, Federal Reserve programs, asset guarantees and federal bank deposit insurance, among other commitments. ... (Continue reading)
The Real Estate Guys Radio Show, Mandelman Take 2!
Written on 22 Jul, 2010 at 3:02
I talked about... can you guess... right! The foreclosure crisis and loan modifications... and the economy... and some recent court decisions... a regular fountain of knowledge, I was. I haven't listened to it, but I figured some of you... especially... (Continue reading)
Ratings Agencies Panic: New Financial Reform Bill Means Expert Liability
Written on 21 Jul, 2010 at 19:16
Perhaps most notably, but least mentioned, the bill requires the credit rating agencies, Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poors, to not only be more transparent, but also potentially liable for issuing “bad ratings” on bonds. The role of the... (Continue reading)
JPMorgan Chase Blows Away Analysts’ Estimates, Lies Beyond Expectations
Written on 21 Jul, 2010 at 7:34
But, I suppose as long as Geithner doesn’t make the mega-bank write down any losses in the future, everything will work out just fine and dandy. What, me worry? No chance of that. Besides, I don’t know... (Continue reading)
Elizabeth Warren on the Foreclosure Crisis
Written on 19 Jul, 2010 at 8:58
Elizabeth Warren: "It's about respect. I believe that the American people ought to be part of the conversation about what's happening in our economy, and what's happening in Washington D.C. and what's happening on Wall Street. I truly... (Continue reading)
Obama’s Speech Avoids Using the “N” Word…
Written on 18 Jul, 2010 at 17:24
I realize that his speech the other night was intended to be more State-of-the-Union-like than a presentation of specific solutions, but I still came away feeling a bit like a Christian Scientist with appendicitis. America's banks are, in large part, insolvent.... (Continue reading)
Elizabeth Warren or Bust, I’m Drawing the Line
Written on 18 Jul, 2010 at 5:11
Ms. Warren should unquestionably be asked to head up this new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, bribed, begged and/or pleaded with, if need be. Without her philosophy and leadership setting the standards and tone of this new bureau as it... (Continue reading)
Once in a Great While You See Something That Means Something
Written on 17 Jul, 2010 at 17:33
It doesn't happen every day... far from it, perhaps... but, once in a great while you see something that really means something... something that you are unlikely to ever forget. Â This video is one of those types of things. ... (Continue reading)
BANKERS: Count on them to be petty and offensive, every single time.
Written on 16 Jul, 2010 at 5:21
The bill is important at a time like this, because it would clearly encourage more lawyers to represent homeowners in foreclosure actions "because attorneys can be confident, if successful, that they will be paid for their work." And, as... (Continue reading)
For Bankers of Failed Financial Institutions… the Pain Is Not Over Yet
Written on 13 Jul, 2010 at 22:11
Shiela! There you are! Where the heck have you been girl? Last I heard, Hank Paulson sent you for coffee, and you’ve been standing in Geithner’s shadow ever since. It’s about damn time, girl! ... (Continue reading)
Have a “Plunder Party” and Help Change Our World
Written on 8 Jul, 2010 at 13:15
PLUNDER - The Crime of Our Time, is a movie produced and directed by Danny Schechter, that shows what Wall Street did to destroy our economy. It's the first movie that clearly shows that what's happened over the last... (Continue reading)
A Conversation Between MANDELMAN and a Reader About New $1 Billion Fund For Unemployed Homeowners
Written on 1 Jul, 2010 at 20:14
Everyone knows how much I love sarcasm… or at least have come to love sarcasm writing about the foreclosure crisis… and on this article I think I might have taken my sarcasm to such a level that readers, especially those... (Continue reading)
New Legislation to Offer $1 Billion in Federal Loans to Help Unemployed Homeowners Pay Mortgages
Written on 30 Jun, 2010 at 7:58
Plus, if I was at all unsure of my position on this program, the clincher was finding out that the cost of both programs is being covered by a tax on large banks and hedge funds contained in the bill.... (Continue reading)
Optimism is Hard Thing of Which to Let Go – The Car Sales Recovery Surprise
Written on 13 Jun, 2010 at 20:27
Tell you what WSJ people… next time feel free to call me on stuff like that. I don’t depend on automakers breaking things out, I actually have functioning eyes and ears and I use them pretty much all the... (Continue reading)
I Guess Nobody Wants to Read Bad News: Fed Chair Ben Bernanke’s Testimony to Congress
Written on 12 Jun, 2010 at 22:50
People… we have to stop the foreclosures. They breed more foreclosures. They reduce spending and lower tax receipts. They cause increased unemployment. They cause more bonds to default. They make our banks insolvent. They... (Continue reading)
Bank of America Employees Say Bank Stole $100 Million from Paychecks
Written on 7 Jun, 2010 at 16:17
Well, today Bank of America employees in Kansas City, Loa Angeles, Charlotte and other cities around the country have filed a lawsuit alleging that our nation’s largest bank cheated its employees out of $100 million in overtime pay. The... (Continue reading)
Nina Easton’s HOT Stocks for Homeowners Losing Homes
Written on 1 Jun, 2010 at 5:42
No, folks… the good news for our emerging foreclosure industry, and for my new Empty Homes Hi-Yield Bond Fund, is that our government has failed at every single turn in trying to stem the tide of foreclosures in this country,... (Continue reading)
It’s Mandelman on The Real Estate Guys Radio Show!
Written on 30 May, 2010 at 21:56
It's Mandelman on The Real Estate Guys radio show! Yay! It's sort of like Click & Clack, those brothers that do the Car Talk show on NPR on weekends. You think it's going to be dull, but... (Continue reading)
Books That Matter: Crisis Economics, by Nouriel Roubini & Stephen Mihm
Written on 30 May, 2010 at 20:59
Roubini explains things I didn’t previously understand, such as the details of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s and Treasury Secretary Geithner’s response to the meltdown. Oh, I knew some of what those two had done, but not enough in terms... (Continue reading)
We Are On the Brink of a New Age of Rage
Written on 29 May, 2010 at 7:17
I’m also fearful that we’ve become a nation of people that doesn’t believe in our democracy anymore. A nation of people who will wait for things to happen to them, rather than trying to change what happens to them.... (Continue reading)
Arizona Loan Modification – Couple Says Wells Fargo is the Scammer
Written on 23 May, 2010 at 14:26
Given thirty days homeowners might have a shot at bringing everything current and we’ll avoid a foreclosure or two. I don’t care which side of this foreclosure crisis you’re on, whether you blame the borrowers or the banks, you... (Continue reading)
Who is Freddie Mac to Strategic Defaulters? Well, I Have a Message for Freddie Mac.
Written on 12 May, 2010 at 9:00
What is Freddie Mac anyway? I’ve personally spoken with several thousand homeowners from all over the country, hundreds that have considered walking away from their mortgages, or are now in the process of doing so, and let me assure... (Continue reading)
