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Why 'bad banks' might be a good thing
Marketplace Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's latest plan to get the economy moving -- and the risk involved. (01/13/2009)
Getting naked in short selling
The practice of short selling has been blamed for the collapse of several major companies' shares during the financial crisis. What is short selling? Marketplace Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains. (12/31/2008)
Quantitative easing
Now the Federal Reserve has effectively cut the target lending rate to zero, it only has one more weapon in its arsenal. Quantitative easing. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains what this "nuclear option" it is, and what the Fed hopes it'll do. (12/22/2008)
A look inside hedge funds
Hedge funds used to occupy a dark, undisturbed corner of the financial world, but over the last year they've been thrown under the spotlight. Still, many people don't know exactly what hedge funds are, or what hedging actually means. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains. (12/15/2008)
Leveraging and deleveraging
Leveraging -- or borrowing -- has been cited as one of the contributors to the financial crisis. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains how the move to deleverage -- or reduce debt -- is prompting wild market swings and concerns about deflation (12/08/2008)
Why 'Fallout' for the financial crisis?
The meltdown of the credit and mortage markets will inflict damaging effects upon our economic future that we may not anticipate -- much like the fallout from a nuclear explosion. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains why Marketplace is using the term in its coverage. (11/26/2008)
How credit cards become asset-backed bonds
Mortgages aren't the only financial instruments that get turned into securities. Marketplace Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains how companies make money by buying credit card debt and bundling it. (11/25/2008)
Margin calls and the financial market's decline
Some of the rapid drops we've seen in the financial markets in recent weeks have been fueled by margin calls. How do margin calls work? Marketplace Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains. (11/10/2008)
Over-the-counter, over the top
Credit default swaps have worsened market anxiety because they are conducted in the over-the-counter market, where regulations are few and information about risk is often hidden. Marketplace Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains. (11/07/2008)
The credit crisis as Antarctic expedition
Marketplace Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains how banks have gotten frozen in their tracks, awaiting a rescue. (10/10/2008)
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