The boom in going bust
Our economics editor, Chris Farrell, spends time in a bankruptcy courtroom in Rochester, N.Y. He profiles a no-nonsense judge who wants to teach Americans how to stay out of debt.
Over the past decade, record numbers of Americans have filed for bankruptcy. Banks and credit card companies sure noticed; last year, they convinced Congress to pass bankruptcy reform making it harder for people to walk away from their debts. But a bankruptcy judge named John Ninfo is proving that education can have as much impact as legislation. Chris Farrell reports. (Photo: Mario Tama © Getty Images)
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Links
- SPECIAL REPORT: Bankrupt: Maxed Out in America
Americans are going broke in record numbers. In 2005 Congress overhauled the bankruptcy system to stem the tide of filings. What's behind the boom in going bust? See this special report co-produced by Marketplace and American RadioWorks.
