As commercial radio stations watch their ad revenues decline, they're taking a page out of the public radio playbook and asking listeners for donations. Janet Babin reports.
Several major banks have announced big profits, but how are they really doing? Kai Ryssdal talks with Washington Bureau Chief John Dimsdale about their balance sheets and the changes the Treasury Department might make to bailout terms.
All but three of the biggest recipients of federal bailout assistance originated fewer loans in Feburary than they did before they got the funds. Bob Moon reports the banks haven't been as lend-friendly as hoped.
Bank giants like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Chase appear strong enough to pay back their portion of bailout money and get back to business as usual. But Ashley Milne-Tyte reports what the conditions of that payback would be.
To conclude our credit-focused episode, listeners offer some thoughts and anecdotes about their experiences with credit cards and the hard lessons they've learned in the process.
Banks are reporting better-than-expected earnings this week, but experts say the next problem might involve credit card defaults. Tess Vigeland talks to credit counseler Gail Cunningham about helping consumers work through their debt.
Americans haven't always had a love affair with borrowing and credit. Stephen Smith reports on how General Motors and the automobile paved the way for consumer credit nearly a century ago.
Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and Citibank have all reported better-than-expected earnings for the last quarter. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Reuters blogger Felix Salmon and Clusterstock.com's John Carney about whether the good times will last.
Citigroup is the latest big bank to post big earnings — a $1.6 billion profit in the first quarter. But with the economy still far from sound, how have the banks been able to post such big profits? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to set up a committee to find what and who is responsible for the economic fallout. Steve Henn reports Congress may have to fight hard against a financial industry unwilling to talk.
