The cracks are getting bigger - download the latest annual report with letter to shareholders from M&T bank CEO Robert Wilmers who, rather than whine about government regulation, Wilmers takes it to the banks themselves - and blasts the industry for destroying its own reputation.
The basic gist is that at one point banks were respected industries that facilitated economic progress. In the quest for growth and trading revenue at any cost, the industry became parasitical, ultimately causing the crisis.
Here are some key parts.
On the decline of the bankers' reputation:
As relatively good a year 2011 was for M&T itself, it was far from an easy one. Indeed, it is difficult, for one who has spent more than a generation in the field, to recall a time when banking as a profession has been publicly held in such persistently low esteem. A 2011 Gallup survey found that only a quarter of the American public expressed confidence in the integrity of bankers. We have reached a point at which not only do public demonstrations specifically target the financial industry but when a leading national newspaper would opine that regulation which might lower bank profits would be “a boon to the broader economy.” What’s worse is that such a view is far from entirely illogical, even if it fails to distinguish between Wall Street banks who, in my view, were central to the financial crisis and continue to distort our economy, and Main Street banks who were often victims of the crisis and are eager, under the right conditions, to extend credit to businesses that need it.
Basically, there's a rot and loss of trust that's enveloped everyone:
It is no consolation, moreover, to observe that banks and the financial services industry generally were far from alone in sparking the crisis. Nonetheless, it is true, and very much worth keeping in mind, that major institutions in other sectors of the American system – public and private – must be considered complicit, some in ways we are only beginning to learn fully about. As understandable as a search for particular causes, or villains, might be, the truth is that the economic crisis that began in the fall of 2007 implicated a wide range of institutions – not only bankers but their regulators, not only investors but those paid to advise them, not only private finance but its government-sponsored kin. The wide spectrum of the culpable has left the U.S. and the world with a problem which, although related to the financial crisis, transcends it and must be confronted: the decimation of public trust in once-respected institutions and their leaders. This has created a fear among those responsible for forming the rules and standards that shape the American financial services industry. And the outcome of this fear-driven rulemaking is likely to burden the efficiency of the American financial system for years to come and will potentially have broader implications for the overall economy.
Where it all began to go downhill:
ll this began to change in the 1970s and especially the early 1980s as these banks grew and began a pattern of investing in areas where they possessed little knowledge – a trend, which culminated in money center banks forfeiting their mantle of leadership and tarnishing the reputation of the banking industry as a whole.One might trace the beginning of this chain of events to the market dislocations caused by the OPEC-led increase in world oil prices. But panics and price bubbles have long been a feature of banking and investing, dating at least from the time of the 1637 Dutch Tulip Mania. Historically, however, the financial system has righted itself, responsibly, in the aftermath of such events. That was not the case, starting in the 1980s.
In a desire to expand their franchises, money center banks sought alternative investments and extended themselves into unchartered territories. Loans to energy companies (“oil patch” loans), shipping firms, and lessdeveloped countries (LDCs) became the flavor of the day. In venturing into these lines of lending, they chose to ignore the strong and prescient 1977 warning by Federal Reserve Board Chairman Arthur Burns, who observed that “under the circumstances, many countries will be forced to borrow heavily, and lending institutions may well be tempted to extend credit more generously than is prudent.”
He even calls out some specific villains:
So it is that the crisis was orchestrated by so many who should have, instead, been sounding the alarm – not only bankers but also regulators, rating firms, government agencies, private enterprises and investors. That a former U.S. Senator, Governor and CEO of a big six financial institution was at the helm of MF Global on the eve of its demise due to trading losses, or that the largest-ever Ponzi scheme was run by the former chairman of a major stock exchange will long be remembered by the public. The repercussions have stretched beyond banking, creating an atmosphere of fear affecting and inhibiting those who should be leading us toward a better post-crisis economy.
2011_Annual_ReportMT.pdf
In this unedited interview with Ellis Martin, Jim Sinclair reveals an impending undeclared default of 5 major US banks this week per the ISDA International Swaps and Derivatives Association related to events in Europe. Listen and learn.
Why I Am Leaving Goldman Sachs
read the full story. here!
Trillion dollar lawsuit exposes secret Bilderberg Gold Treaty & funding of extraterrestrial projects
Michael E. Salla, MA., Ph.D.
© January 18, 2012. Updated Feb 4, 2012.
It is beginning to look more and more likely the work presented by David Wilcock, regarding financial tyranny, is indeed true! In the article he explains the difference between legitimate gold on the books of central banks and so called black gold horded by Chinese between the 14th and 19th century. It is purported to be many times more than current global estimates.Anybody who hasn't read the article is in for a treat.
But, remember - once you "know something" you can't "unknow it" click here to read!
Thousands of gold unaccounted for - 750,000 actually exist? Compared to known 1500 tons - thats a huge difference! This statement made in parliament by Lord James involves The Federal Reserve Bank of NY, Greenspan, Geithner and many more "interesting characters"
"This also goes to show the folly of compund interest somewhat. This money owed, or 'debt' is just created money out of thin air. There are no more tangible goods, products, or services that can catch up to this ever increasing beast. All these trillions of dollars are unservicable because there is NOTHING tangible backing the dizzying compunding of interest on trillions upon trillions of debt. Herein lies the problem. Ledgers, bonds, bills, etc can be created and debts exchanged, but with even 2%-3% overnight rates on trillions, what essentially is used to cover these debts?"
UPDATE 5-2012 More detailed explanation along with documents of above posting, Explore this issue further!
UPDATE - sorry, this link has been fixed. Thank you for bringing it to our attention
This TRILLION dollar lawsuit names defendants such as The Vatican, United Nations, Former Prime Minister of Italy - check this out, click here for 114-page lawsuit filed in US District Court, NY
A wonderful message from Tom Kenyon on what you should be aware of during these transitional times an attitude of gratitude - click here!
Watch this - today!
Google has honored the inventor of the electric guitar, Les Paul. You've just got to see this playable guitar, today only!
And, to hear about this fabulous musician and his fascinating story Click Here!
Paraprosdokian sentences:A figure of speech that uses an unexpected ending to a phrase.
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism…..To steal from many is research.If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.War does not determine who is right - only who is left.Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit.....wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening',and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.A bus station is where a bus stops.A train station is where a train stops.On my desk, I have a work station.How is it one careless match can start a forest fire,but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity,they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pooland throw them fish.A bank is a place that will lend you money.....if you can prove that you don't need it.
Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says,"If an emergency, notify:"I put "DOCTOR"
I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars,but check when you say the paint is wet?
You do not need a parachute to skydive...You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
The voices in my head may not be real……but they have some good ideas!Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home,even if you wish they were.I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.Some cause happiness wherever they go…….Others whenever they go.There's a fine line between cuddlingand holding someone down so they can't get away.I used to be indecisive…. Now I'm not sure.When tempted to fight fire with fire,remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.You're never too old to learn something stupid.To be sure of hitting the target,….shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.Some people hear voices. Some see invisible people.Others have no imagination whatsoever.
This is what Jesse Ventura and many others in this country feel
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