Dec 22, 2011

Marketplace Morning Report for Thursday, December 22, 2011

In the U.S., Gross Domestic Product revisions are out today, and the hope is that the number will keep improving as long as problems in Europe, and Washington, don't stunt that growth. In one North Carolina town, local business play nice to help each other out during recession. The Lone Star State loses as many as half a billion trees in 2011, and that's not including the wildfires. And in this week's Attitude Check, we look at how Americans are really feeling about the potential payroll tax cut extension.

Segments From this episode

Countrywide discrimination settlement reached

by Jeremy Hobson

Dec 22, 2011

Countrywide was accused of steering more than 200,000 black and Hispanic borrowers into risky subprime loans during the housing bubble. But is the practice really over now?

Bank of America, Countrywide settle discrimination case

by Mitchell Hartman

Dec 22, 2011

BofA's costs mount as it settles a mortgage discrimination suit against subsidiary Countrywide Financial.

European Debt Crisis

For ECB plan to succeed, European banks must buy up bonds

by Stephen Beard

Dec 22, 2011

What looks like a major success now may end up being more of a modest win in the future against the mounting debt crisis in the eurozone.

Attitude Check

Attitude Check: Do the payroll tax cuts matter?

by Frank Newport

Dec 22, 2011

We speak to Frank Newport, editor-in-chief at Gallup, about whether Americans want the payroll tax extended, and what the controversy in Washington could do to consumer confidence.

The economic story of the year: Politics

by Diane Swonk

Dec 22, 2011

We speak to Diane Swonk about weekly jobless numbers, the payroll tax debate in Washington, and why politics effects economics more than ever.

Fewer trees in Texas

by Sarah Gardner

Dec 22, 2011

The Lone Star State loses as many as half a billion trees in 2011 -- and that's not including the wildfires.

Lower jobless claims, better consumer sentiment point to improved outlook

by Adriene Hill

Dec 22, 2011

Jack Ablin discusses how today's economic numbers point to a brighter future.

In one North Carolina town, customers getting a recession break

by Leda Hartman

Dec 22, 2011

A guitar shop in Pittsboro, N.C., helps its neighbors, and also receives a helping hand.

European Debt Crisis

Has the ECB action helped avert a banking crisis?

by Stephen Beard

Dec 22, 2011

The European Central Bank yesterday printed $640 billion worth of euros, almost the same amount of money as the TARP program used by the U.S. government during the financial crisis in 2008.

Mid-day Update

PODCAST: GDP revised, bear-ing the Mexican border

by Mary Dooe

Dec 22, 2011

Bears are having problems crossing the border into Mexico.

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Mortgage settlement hikes the cost of Countrywide

by Mitchell Hartman

Dec 22, 2011

Bank of America will pay $335 million to settle mortgage discrimination charges against Countrywide Financial.

Understanding the year-end unemployment drop

by Mitchell Hartman

Dec 22, 2011

What's behind the drop in unemployment claims?

BBC World Service

Big lottery results awaited in Spain

by Guy Hedgecoe

Dec 22, 2011

Amid economic strife across much of the country, citizens of Spain are buying up lottery tickets in the hope of winning big this holiday season.

Mid-day Update

Mid-day Extra: Why we think "best of" lists are the best

by Jeremy Hobson and Adriene Hill

Dec 22, 2011

The end of the year brings all kind's of top ten, top 100 and best of 2011 lists -- but what kind of value do we get out of them?

GDP third quarter revisions coming

by John Dimsdale

Dec 22, 2011

Economists expect third quarter GDP grew at around 2 percent. But if all goes well, it'll be even higher in the fourth quarter.

In the U.S., Gross Domestic Product revisions are out today, and the hope is that the number will keep improving as long as problems in Europe, and Washington, don’t stunt that growth. In one North Carolina town, local business play nice to help each other out during recession. The Lone Star State loses as many as half a billion trees in 2011, and that’s not including the wildfires. And in this week’s Attitude Check, we look at how Americans are really feeling about the potential payroll tax cut extension.