Have we learned anything new from the Commission’s report? Are there clear recommendations that will help prevent another financial crisis? They had sub Libor financing, meaning the luxury of borrowing money at one of the lowest interest rates in the world, all risks backed by the US taxpayer. To understand this kind of leverage, imaging walking into the most profitable casino in Las Vegas, all you have is $100 in your pocket. Yet, because of your good credit, the casino allows you to play blackjack with $7,000 at risk on the table. The slightest loss and your equity is wiped out. That’s exactly what happened to Fannie and Freddie and today the US taxpayers have lost well over $360 billion in this reckless risk-taking bonanza. That’s over half the cost of the entire war in Iraq.
The FCIC’s pointless report and the future of Fannie and Freddie
February 1, 2011, 10:46am
Jacob Gaffney is formerly Editor-in-Chief of HousingWire and HousingWire.com. He previously covered securitization for Reuters and Source Media in London before returning to the United States in 2009. While in Europe for nearly a decade, he covered bank loans and the high yield market, in addition to commercial paper, student loan, auto and credit card space(s).see full bio
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Jacob Gaffney is formerly Editor-in-Chief of HousingWire and HousingWire.com. He previously covered securitization for Reuters and Source Media in London before returning to the United States in 2009. While in Europe for nearly a decade, he covered bank loans and the high yield market, in addition to commercial paper, student loan, auto and credit card space(s).see full bio