Marketplace for Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009

Segments From This Episode

• Obama speech: Optimism and economy

  by Kai Ryssdal

  President Barack Obama's inauguration speech touched on hope for the future and the economic troubles we face. Kai Ryssdal looks at what our new president had to say.

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• Playing hooky for inauguration

  by Jeremy Hobson

  The inauguration ceremony was appointment television for a lot of people, even though it was a workday. So, lots of Americans played hooky. Jeremy Hobson spent some time with people who were watching Obama on a big-screen TV in Harlem.

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• What to do with the troubled banks?

  by Marketplace Staff

  As Bank of America and Citigroup continue their downward slides in the market, calls for a "bad bank" and rumors of nationalization have been growing. Kai Ryssdal speaks with MIT Professor Simon Johnson about what can be done with the banking system.

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• U.K. banks get bailout to boost lending

  To help the banking sector and restore lending, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown unveiled a second financial rescue package. Stephen Beard reports on one of the bailout's main elements — an insurance scheme.

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• Letters: Countrywide, economy, records

  by Marketplace Staff

  Our listeners weigh in this week on a bevy of topics. From interviews with a marketing executive and management consultant, to stories about vinyls and techies, listeners give us their opinions.

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• Amid hope, black homeowners struggle

  by Amelia Tyagi

  As African Americans celebrate President Obama's inauguration, a disproportionate number of them are struggling to avoid foreclosures on their homes. Commentator Amelia Tyagi says we should examine the practices that led many of them into this situation.

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• Companies in debt struggle to borrow

  by Steve Henn

  Nearly $700 billion in corporate debt will be due in 2009, which is sending firms scrambling to refinance. But with banks struggling and investors afraid of lending, many companies will have a difficult time coming up with the cash they need. Steve Henn reports.

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• Inaugural balls will be less lavish

  by Nancy Marshall-Genzer

  Inaugural balls used to be fancy affairs, but have been scaled back in recent years. This year, some balls will be toned down even further because of the recession. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.

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