Some economists and pundits have said we should spend our way out of the current economic slowdown. But commentator and economist Susan Lee says it was that same worry-free attitude about buying that got us into the housing crisis in the first place.
Federal regulators for the mortgage securitizers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are lifting restrictions on the growth of their mortgage holdings. The caps had been put in place as a response to accounting errors in both companies. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
Ben Bernanke went to Capitol Hill to once again express the critical state of the economy. He signaled that the Fed is still deciding whether to cut interest rates. Kai Ryssdal has more.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke meets with Congress today to give an economic report, and many are watching for signs of additional rate cuts. Jeremy Hobson reports how the chairman may describe the Fed's current situation.
In anticipation of a surge in bankrupt banks from the credit crisis, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is recruiting retirees experienced in handling insolvent financial institutions. Stacy Vanek-Smith reports.
There was a big jump in wholesale prices in January showing inflation is rising faster than it has since 1981. Yet home prices are on a steep decline. Jill Barshay reports on what the conflicting figures say about the economy.
As food prices continue to rise, humanitarian food relief groups including the World Food Programme are feeling the squeeze. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks with Bob Bell from the relief group CARE on what his group is doing to combat high costs.
Many private equity groups look to invest in infrastructure. But the Service Employees International Union wants state pension funds to invest in public projects to stop the private companies from taking over. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Despite the credit crunch, credit card giant Visa filed the largest initial public offering in history. Jill Barshay reports why the company isn't affected by whether or not you pay your bill.
The good news: 55 percent of economists surveyed in a new poll don't believe the U.S. will fall into a full-blown recession. The bad news is 45 percent of them do. Jeremy Hobson reports.
