Archive for the ‘economy’ Category

Cancellation of Business Debt Holds Traps for the Unwary

In today’s economic environment, businesses are looking to modify and re-structure debt to pull through until the economy turns around. Rather than allowing so many loans to go bad, lenders are working with debtors to re-structure loans in a manner that allows the debtor to stay in business. For example, a lender may allow a [...]

 

First Provisions of Credit Card Reform Act Implemented

The first two provisions of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (“CARD”) Act of 2009 went into effect Thursday, August 20, 2009.  The CARD Act is designed to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive practices by credit card companies.

 

Déjà Vue all over again?

It is the mid-1980’s. Savings & Loan institutions are failing at an alarming rate. So many are insolvent, in fact, that the Federal Savings & Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC), the deposit insurer of thrifts at that time, is running out of money to close insolvent thrifts. What does FSLIC do? It seeks out purchasers, who [...]

 

Has the Recovery Come to Your Block?

“We may be seeing the beginning of the end of the recession,” President Barack Obama said yesterday in Raleigh.  Indeed, parts of the country are starting to experience some economic stability, according to the latest figures issued by the Federal Reserve, but the Fifth District of Virginia, North Carolina and  South Carolina remains weak.

 

How Fast Is Too Fast?

Although they said it could not be done, headlines now proclaim that Chrysler and General Motors have navigated the bankruptcy process in record speed.  Indeed, new companies have “emerged” from each bankruptcy case.  However, both bankruptcy cases are still pending (see here and here), and much more still needs to be done in each bankruptcy case, [...]

 

Investigating the Bank of America-Merrill Lynch marriage

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke is testifying today to a joint hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and House Domestic Policy Subcommittee. The purpose of the joint hearing is to examine events surrounding Bank of America’s $50 million acquisition troubled investment house Merrill Lynch in September 2009 and its receipt of [...]

 

The New Financial Regulatory Framework

For nearly two years, the credit markets have been tightening, making it difficult for consumers and businesses to get credit for purchases and operations.  Several financial institutions declared bankruptcy or were on the brink of failure.  The federal government has used a variety of strategies to prevent a full-scale financial meltdown, including slashing interest rates, [...]

 

BB&T exits TARP with $3.1 Billion payment

From the Triangle Business Journal, an update to our previous news on regional bank BB&T:
BB&T Corp. will pay $3.1 billion to buy back preferred stock sold to the federal government, marking the Winston-Salem banking giant’s exit from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”).

 

2% of To-Be-Closed GM Dealers Saved from Closing

According to the Detroit News, General Motors reversed the closing of 41 of the 2,100 dealerships originally targeted to be closed as part of GM’s bankruptcy and restructuring.

 

Chrysler Clears Legal Hurdles to Sale of Assets

The full Supreme Court Tuesday decided not to hear the merits of a challenge to the sale of Chrysler assets to a group comprised of Fiat, the US, Canada and the Chrysler Auto Worker Union Retirement Trust.  The unanimous court, in a two-page-opinion, lifted the temporary stay granted by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg on Monday, [...]