The Whiteboard - Most Commented

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5

Financial alchemy

Jul 20, 2009
Many asset-backed securities have been downgraded from AAA recently. But at least one issuer has miraculously repackaged a downgraded deal to make some of its bonds worth a AAA rating again. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
10

Where's the toxic waste?

Jul 13, 2009
Banks are paying back TARP money and claiming they're the picture of health. So what happened to all those toxic assets that were clogging their arteries a few months back? Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
5

Dark pools: An explainer

Jul 6, 2009
Dark pools are exchanges where people trade stocks anonymously. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains how they work, and why the SEC is considering regulating them.
4

The 'repo' market

Jun 26, 2009
Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains why the repurchase (or repo) market is a vital part of the financial system, and why the government is considering changes to it.
24

Meet Cap 'n Trade

May 22, 2009
Cap and Trade is the linchpin of the government's effort to curb carbon emissions. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains how the cap and trade model works.
8

Capital structure

May 6, 2009
In stories about the auto companies and the banks, we've been hearing about debt-to-equity swaps and exchanging preferred shares for common stock. To understand how those work, you need to understand a company's capital structure. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
19

Shadow banking: The primer

Apr 13, 2009
The shadow banking system is a key component of the U.S. economy, but the financial crisis has frozen it solid. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains what shadow banking is and why it's important enough to warrant its own bailout, called the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility, or TALF.
Posted In: shadow banking
10

The public-private partnership

Mar 31, 2009
The U.S. Treasury Department plans to recruit private investors to take toxic assets off banks' balance sheets. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains how the plan is supposed to work.
8

Collateral calls

Mar 24, 2009
Millions of Americans are wondering why AIG has paid so much taxpayer money to other banks. One reason is because AIG has had to honor "collateral calls" -- demands made by banks on the insurance contracts it's written. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains,
15

The Uptick Rule

Mar 12, 2009
Bankers have been debating bringing back the uptick rule for months, if not years. This week the debate made it to Capitol Hill. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch gives a quick and dirty explanation of what the uptick rule is, and why it could be reinstated to turn the American taxpayer into one of Citigroup's biggest stockholders. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.

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Financial mysteries explained! Watch the latest video explaining the FHA in Sr. Producer Paddy Hirsch's Whiteboard series. Plus, win a chance to get a signed copy of Paddy's new book, "Man vs. Markets."

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Journalism: Practiced. Excellent interview. Thank you.

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