Mergers and acquisitions

Tremendous economic problems await the new president, from the deficit to unemployment. To find out what President Obama's to-do list is going to look like, we're joined by Washington Bureau Chief John Dimsdale.

Virgin is considering possible three-way deal between itself, BMI and Luftansa. Virgin could get local flights in the U.K. and also form an alliance with Luftansa for international flights. Megan Williams reports.

There's talk of a loan to GM and Chrysler to assist with a merger. But economics correspondent Chris Farrell tells Scott Jagow U.S. auto makers should avoid a government loan and just declare bankruptcy.

Is the Fed encouraging a shakeout in the regional bank sector? Word is the government might allow mid-sized banks to buy weaker rivals with bailout money, instead of issuing loans. Jeremy Hobson checks it out.

Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal talks to historian David Kennedy about the tools the next president will have at their disposal for battling America's financial crisis.

With General Motors stock trading around $6, the company would like to close a merger deal with Chrysler as soon as possible. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports where GM's turnaround plan went wrong.

If banks under merger deals come out with poor earnings reports, could the deals fall apart? Rachel Dornhelm reports an acquiring bank might not see a large write-down at a troubled partner as an entirely bad thing.

With a global recession on the horizon, the prices are right for companies to seek shelter in other companies. John Dimsdale reports why some consolidation can be expected in every down economy.