Bo Peng

The Risk Biggest Source: Government

Sorry if I misread you, Econ101. As I said in the previous post, I don't think the relative stability of Chinese economy amidst this crisis has much to do with the Chinese government's wisdom or foresight. But I do find it troubling that some in the west are blaming Chinese savings for this crisis. Global imbalance is a real problem that must be addressed but this kind of finger-pointing, which borders on shameless, is definitely not a solution. US and China are more inter-dependent than many people in either side of the pond would care to admit, especially during this crisis. I wish we could own up to the facts and work together.

The Risk Biggest Source: Government

Yeah, kill the chinks.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure your Japanese "friends" will jump in joy about the fate you designated to them.

Call somebody stupid, evil, or different. It always rallies the ignorant in time of crisis.

Sorkin's Questions to Bank CEOs, Answered

I have to disagree on Glass-Steagall. Caps on leverage on commercial banks and investment banks should be different. It's not just the number that's call leverage ratio. It's what they've done with it. You could've leveraged up to the same level, but with CDOs backed by real companies, and be MUCH better off than where we're today.

The key, IMO, is that investment banks should not be publicly traded to begin with. Private partners will try their darnedest to use the cap on leverage wisely.

I'll Sell You All the CDS on Citigroup You Want

raytayzmd, many in risk management and modeling have been talking about counterparty risk in CDS and the risk of correlation going to 1 for CDOs for years. These are the very channels amplifying the current crisis. But in a regulatory and corporate governance structure where all decision makers are incentivized to disregard long-term risk and maximize short-term return, such warnings have only one destiny, the trash can.

Thanks, mrfreddo, although I only wish I can place as much trust in me as you do. Be careful about yield of preferreds, though, since it's subordinate to all bonds and it's most certainly NOT backed by the gov. The risk is higher than subordinated bonds. Even the bonds are NOT backed by the gov in ANY legal sense. What I was saying in the article is that world governments really have no choice but to back Citi deposits and bonds, for pragmatic concerns. This is not unconditional, not in the legal sense, and may change according to the circumstances.