Economy Countrywide to Adjust Loans for At-Risk Borrowers October 24, 2007 Countrywide Financial Corp., the nation's largest mortgage lender, will begin calling borrowers to offer refinancing or modifications on $16 billion in loans whose interest rates are set to adjust by the end of 2008. Countrywide to Adjust Loans for At-Risk Borrowers Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/15584423/15583491" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Countrywide to Adjust Loans for At-Risk Borrowers Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/15584423/15583491" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Politics Bill Alters Bankruptcy Code to Help Homeowners October 17, 2007 The House Judiciary Committee is considering changing the bankruptcy code to offer greater protections for homeowners. Foreclosure filings have risen to their highest level since the Great Depression. Bill Alters Bankruptcy Code to Help Homeowners Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/15353636/15353261" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Bill Alters Bankruptcy Code to Help Homeowners Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/15353636/15353261" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Business Countrywide Under Fire from Prosecutors October 12, 2007 Many homeowners are in trouble because they can't make their mortgage payments. Now, support groups are targeting the policies of Countrywide, the nation's largest mortgage lender. State prosecutors are also stepping up pressure on the big home lenders. Countrywide Under Fire from Prosecutors Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/15218377/15216992" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Countrywide Under Fire from Prosecutors Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/15218377/15216992" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Business Prosecutors Pressure Lenders as Foreclosures Soar October 6, 2007 Foreclosures in the U.S. are at their highest levels in 50 years. President Bush and Congress have appealed to the mortgage industry to lower rates, but housing advocates say the response has been paltry. Now, the top prosecutors in 37 states are putting more direct pressure on lenders. Prosecutors Pressure Lenders as Foreclosures Soar Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/15067603/15067579" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Prosecutors Pressure Lenders as Foreclosures Soar Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/15067603/15067579" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy Michigan Economy Among Nation's Worst October 5, 2007 Whether it's measured by job creation, home foreclosures or people on food stamps, Michigan's economy is one of the worst in the United States. A strike against General Motors threatened to make that even worse. The two-day walkout is over, but the state's economic troubles aren't. Michigan Economy Among Nation's Worst Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/15046402/15046381" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Michigan Economy Among Nation's Worst Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/15046402/15046381" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy Rate Cut Benefits Consumers Some, Investors More September 20, 2007 The Federal Reserve slashed the federal funds rate, charged on overnight loans between banks, by one-half a percentage point to 4.75 percent. Wall Street investors were happy. But for average people, the cut doesn't translate into that much money in their pockets. Rate Cut Benefits Consumers Some, Investors More Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14556318/14556217" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Rate Cut Benefits Consumers Some, Investors More Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14556318/14556217" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy Housing Market Problems Lead to Job Cuts September 8, 2007 On the heels of a report that the economy lost jobs in August for the first time in four years, the nation's largest home-mortgage lender said it plans to lay off as many as 12,000 workers. Countrywide Financial is struggling with the housing market's subprime mortgage problems. Housing Market Problems Lead to Job Cuts Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14261578/14261565" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Housing Market Problems Lead to Job Cuts Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14261578/14261565" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Business Number of U.S. Jobs Takes a Dip September 7, 2007 The Labor Department reports that the number of jobs in the United States has fallen for the first time in four years. Employers cut 4,000 jobs in August. The unexpected news has led to fears of a recession. Number of U.S. Jobs Takes a Dip Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14238511/14238500" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Number of U.S. Jobs Takes a Dip Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14238511/14238500" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy Bush Offers Help to Overwhelmed Mortgage Holders August 31, 2007 Responding to the growing wave of mortgage foreclosures, President Bush has announced measures that could help some troubled borrowers keep their homes. But only a small fraction of subprime borrowers will be eligible. Bush Offers Help to Overwhelmed Mortgage Holders Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14094388/14094372" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Bush Offers Help to Overwhelmed Mortgage Holders Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14094388/14094372" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy Housing Woes Grow as Prices Slump Nationwide August 30, 2007 A federal report finds that housing prices were flat this spring and could be heading lower. Economists say the recent news is evidence that the real estate slump will be more prolonged and widespread than predicted. Housing Woes Grow as Prices Slump Nationwide Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14060758/14060740" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Housing Woes Grow as Prices Slump Nationwide Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14060758/14060740" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Your Money Borrower's Choice: Pay Now, Pay (More) Later August 10, 2007 The pitch to skip a mortgage or home loan payment is centered on the lender simply extending the loan by a month and paying it on the back end. But the offer has a catch. The lender makes money on the later payment because the borrower pays a little more interest. Borrower's Choice: Pay Now, Pay (More) Later Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/12668649/12668650" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Borrower's Choice: Pay Now, Pay (More) Later Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/12668649/12668650" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy Economists Brace for Worsening Subprime Crisis August 7, 2007 Jose Pomales has a solid job and has lived in his Boston home for 8 years. He refinanced a couple of years ago and now could be part of what economists predict will be the biggest wave of foreclosures yet. Economists Brace for Worsening Subprime Crisis Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/12561184/12575388" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economists Brace for Worsening Subprime Crisis Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/12561184/12575388" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Rhode Island Inspects Bridges in Wake of Tragedy August 4, 2007 States are conducting hasty inventories of their infrastructure problems in response to the Minneapolis bridge collapse this week. Among them is Rhode Island. The state may be small, but it has more than its share of dilapidated roads and bridges. Rhode Island Inspects Bridges in Wake of Tragedy Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/12507743/12507744" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Rhode Island Inspects Bridges in Wake of Tragedy Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/12507743/12507744" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Business Running a Rafting Company Has Twists, Turns July 26, 2007 Dan and Maureen McDonald loved being guides on Maine's Penobscot River. But when they started their own whitewater rafting company, they found running a small business can be a lot more challenging than running the rapids. Running a Rafting Company Has Twists, Turns Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/12259634/12260303" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Running a Rafting Company Has Twists, Turns Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/12259634/12260303" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Business Global Warming Sparks New Look at Nuclear Power July 7, 2007 Experts are skeptical that nuclear power can make a comeback while building coal-burning plants is cheaper. But changes to environmental laws could make nuclear reactors more attractive to power companies. Global Warming Sparks New Look at Nuclear Power Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/11694160/11807865" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Global Warming Sparks New Look at Nuclear Power Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/11694160/11807865" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript