Marketplace Whiteboard
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Mark to market
There's a debate in financial circles over whether banks are unfairly penalized by the requirement that they "mark to market" their holdings. Marketplace Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains what that term means.
Hostile takeovers
We all know what a takeover is. That's when one company agrees to be bought by another. But what happens when companies don't agree and the takeover goes hostile? Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
Derivatives
Credit default swaps? They're complicated -- and scary! The receipt you get when you pre-order your Thanksgiving turkey? Not so much. But they have a lot in common: They're both derivatives. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
Bonds, notes and bills
So much government debt! But what's the difference between the Treasury's bills, notes and bonds? Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
Inflation
Most economists agree that inflation of about 2% or 3% annually is a natural function of a growing economy. But people are worried government stimulus measures could spark much higher inflation. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains
High-frequency trading
High-frequency trading is creating a ruckus on Wall Street. Marketplace Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains what high-frequency trading is and why some people are up in arms about it.
Factoring
Many small businesses get the cash they need to operate and expand from so-called factors. One of the biggest factors in the business is CIT, and with CIT on the ropes, small businesses are worried. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains what factoring is, and how it works.
Financial alchemy
Many asset-backed securities have been downgraded from AAA recently. But at least one issuer has miraculously repackaged a downgraded deal to make some of its bonds worth a AAA rating again. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
Where's the toxic waste?
Banks are paying back TARP money and claiming they're the picture of health. So what happened to all those toxic assets that were clogging their arteries a few months back? Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains.
Dark pools
Dark pools are exchanges where people trade stocks anonymously. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains how they work, and why the SEC is considering regulating them.
The 'repo' market
Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains why the repurchase (or repo) market is a vital part of the financial system, and why the government is considering changes to it.
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Comments
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From COLLEGE PARK, GA, 04/20/2009
I really like these clear explanations of current business issues; they are very informative. Could you do a presentation on mark to model?
From Venice, CA, 02/07/2009
Be careful what you wish for.
Mark-to-market accounting has hoist the banks with their own petard. It would have been nice if the whiteboard piece had made some mention of the shortsighted forces that pushed for this accounting practice.
As long as values were on the upswing, banks were eager for mark-to-market, which inflated their assets, giving them extra leverage to blow more hot air into the financial bubble.
Now that the bubble has burst and assets are suddenly on a steep downswing, mark-to-market pulls the banks' magic carpet out from under them.
In other words, the practice tends to exaggerate movement either up or down. In tandem with fevered leverage, it predictably creates a situation of extreme instability.
From Germany, YT, 02/07/2009
Fantastic service. A credit to free speech and the democratic influence of the internet. Peter Kimbel
From Sacramento, CA, CA, 02/05/2009
When I was in Banking in the 70's Federal Commercial Banks were required to use "book value" or the purchase price of the asset. This meant that although interest rates increased dramatically causing the value of the bonds to decrease, the books overstated the market value of the bank's assets. When interest rates dropped the value of the assets increased. Since most bonds were acquired many years prior when interest rates were low, the market value of the bonds was substantially below the book value. In fact at my bank, we would have been bankrupt if forced to mark to market.
My question is when did the method of valuing assets change. When did banks start marking to market and why? Were they showing big profits by marking high interest rate bonds to market? Was it limited to commercial banks and brokers were the ones who mark to market? I'd like more history on when and how these changes took place.
Chuck O'Neil
From San Diego, CA, 02/05/2009
What a great resource to get more insight on factors that have and are shaping our economy. Most of the presentations I have watched here show the Bankers and Uncle Sam (with his bag of money or rescue helicopter) but the taxpayer is not represented very often aside from the fact that we may "all need a drink".
I saw a video a while back on the fractional reserve system and how every dollar that is printed steals or takes from the money supply that is already out in the economy. I wish more people really understood what is happening to their already dwindling savings when Uncle Sam comes out with a new big bag of money.
Any chance of going over something like this or explaining why or if an economy should ever consider saving more?
From bethesda, MD, 02/04/2009
This is a very educational site, I enjoy it a lot. I hope Paddy Hirsch would explain about the auction preferred rate stock (ARPS) that was also frozen awhile back. What is this investment? I know almost high networth individual were affected but I readlly don't understand, I hope Paddy would provide a lesson on this. Thank you and more power.
From San Diego, CA, 02/03/2009
I recommended the Marketplace Whiteboard to my parents, and they love it. Paddy Hirsch is bringing the generations together. And just in time since we'll probably have to move in with one another soon!
From Saint Paul, MN, 02/02/2009
The "White Board" Illustrations are priceless! My hat off to the creator! Even a 5th Grader can make sense of them. Keep them coming!
From Portland, OR, 02/01/2009
I have enjoyed all of the white board presentations, especially since the discussion culminates in the need for a drink!
I too would like to know more about the interaction of the Federal Reserve, the Treasury, and the Govt Spending. It seems their roles are changing/expanding under the current situation.
Amit.
From Rock Rapids, IA, 01/31/2009
Paddy Hirsch's white board's have been great for getting the "big picture" on a lot of these financial
terms and ideas - is there any thought of compiling these into either print or a compilation DVD one could get through NPR?
From Rock Rapids, IA, 01/31/2009
Paddy Hirsch's white board's have been great for getting the "big picture" on a lot of these financial
terms and ideas - is there any thought of compiling these into either print or a compilation DVD one could get through NPR?
01/30/2009
The whiteboard explanations are great. Thanks for the quality content. Have you guys thought of explaining the interaction between the Federal Reserve Bank, the Treasury, and Treasury Bills?
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