Economy A Chicago Foreclosure Tale January 31, 2008 Retirees Warren and Mildred Johnson's dream of owning a home came true in 2005. Developers came to their neighborhood advertising cheap property. Then their mortgage rate skyrocketed and they lost their South Chicago home. A Chicago Foreclosure Tale Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18573134/18573108" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
A Chicago Foreclosure Tale Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18573134/18573108" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Business The Great 'Locksmith' Swindle January 31, 2008 Every day, about a quarter of a million people in this country call a locksmith — or at least they think they're calling a locksmith. In fact, a growing number may actually be reaching a con man who's better at picking pockets than he is at picking locks. The Great 'Locksmith' Swindle Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18573130/18573107" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
The Great 'Locksmith' Swindle Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18573130/18573107" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
IRS Warns of Tax-Rebate Phone Scams January 31, 2008 As lawmakers debate an economic-stimulus package that could result in tax rebates for many Americans, hucksters are wasting no time. The IRS says identity thieves are using prospects of a rebate to fuel scams aimed at getting people to reveal sensitive information. The IRS does NOT ask for personal information over the phone. IRS Warns of Tax-Rebate Phone Scams Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18567836/18567806" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
IRS Warns of Tax-Rebate Phone Scams Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18567836/18567806" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Rate Cuts May Set Table for Refinancing January 31, 2008 What does the latest Federal Reserve interest rate cut mean for consumers? It may be a good time to refinance a home mortgage or negotiate for a lower interest rate on credit cards. Rate Cuts May Set Table for Refinancing Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18567830/18567804" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Rate Cuts May Set Table for Refinancing Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18567830/18567804" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy Fed Cuts Interest Rates by a Half-Point January 30, 2008 With economic growth grinding to a halt, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again Wednesday, this time by half a percentage point. Just before it did, the Commerce Department reported some dismal growth figures for the end of last year. The Fed hopes its aggressive moves will help avoid a full blown recession. NPR's Chris Arnold reports on All Things Considered Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18549122/18549090" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
NPR's Chris Arnold reports on All Things Considered Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18549122/18549090" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
What the Fed Rate Cut Means for Consumers January 30, 2008 The Federal Reserve's decision on Tuesday to cut a key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point comes as fears of a recession grow. Here's a look at what the move means for consumers — and what else to look out for amid the economic turmoil.
Economy Michigan Confronts High Foreclosure Rate January 30, 2008 Michigan has the third highest foreclosure rate in the country. The Detroit Free Press ad section has grown so full of foreclosures, it looks like a separate publication. Michigan Confronts High Foreclosure Rate Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18541426/18541399" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Michigan Confronts High Foreclosure Rate Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18541426/18541399" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy Unabating Foreclosures Ravage Southern California January 30, 2008 The booming city of Fontana, Calif., is a sprawl of closely packed subdivisions east of Los Angeles. As housing values tumbled — and subprime mortgages ballooned — Fontana became one of the many epicenters of foreclosures in Southern California. Unabating Foreclosures Ravage Southern California Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18540909/18549081" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Unabating Foreclosures Ravage Southern California Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18540909/18549081" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
The Color of Money Is it Time to Refinance? January 29, 2008 The housing crisis has driven interest rates down on mortgage loans. That doesn't necessarily mean it's the best time for everyone to refinance. Is it Time to Refinance? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18512399/18512422" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Is it Time to Refinance? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18512399/18512422" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy Will Countrywide Benefit from a Takeover? January 29, 2008 Countrywide Financial's year-end earnings report came out Tuesday, raising questions about whether Bank of America's proposed takeover of the troubled mortgage lender will benefit either of them. Will Countrywide Benefit from a Takeover? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18512396/18512374" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Will Countrywide Benefit from a Takeover? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18512396/18512374" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Embattled Countrywide CEO to Trim 'Parachute' January 29, 2008 The chief executive of the ailing mortgage lender Countrywide Financial says he will forfeit more than $37 million in severance pay and perks that were part of a retirement package. The Securities and Exchange Commission is probing Angelo Mozilo's sales of company stock. Embattled Countrywide CEO to Trim 'Parachute' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18504123/18504096" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Embattled Countrywide CEO to Trim 'Parachute' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18504123/18504096" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Lender Offers Tips for Those Looking to Refinance January 25, 2008 The Federal Reserve's decision to cut a key interest rate this week prompted a burst of activity in the mortgage market, as homeowners tried to figure out whether to refinance. Russell Rothstein, the director of mortgage lending for Beacon Mortgage in Rockville, Md., offers advice. Lender Offers Tips for Those Looking to Refinance Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18426993/18427580" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Lender Offers Tips for Those Looking to Refinance Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18426993/18427580" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Economy 'Marketplace' Report: College Tuition Jumps January 25, 2008 The country's wealthiest universities are raising tuition faster than the rate of inflation. Why does college cost so much? 'Marketplace' Report: College Tuition Jumps Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18415481/18415456" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Marketplace' Report: College Tuition Jumps Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18415481/18415456" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Business Futures Trader Blamed for French Bank Fraud January 25, 2008 More details emerge from France about a futures trader who may be at the center of a $7 billion bank fraud. Jerome Kerviel, 31, worked for the Paris-based international bank Societe Generale. Futures Trader Blamed for French Bank Fraud Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18409490/18409464" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Futures Trader Blamed for French Bank Fraud Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18409490/18409464" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Analysis Lessons from the 2001 Tax Rebates January 24, 2008 Jason Furman of the Brookings Institution talks about the studies of how consumers used their 2001 tax rebates and how effective they were in stimulating the economy. If checks had been sent to poor people who don't pay taxes, the effect on the economy would have been more significant, he says. Lessons from the 2001 Tax Rebates Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18391650/18391616" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Lessons from the 2001 Tax Rebates Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18391650/18391616" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript