It was announced today that Fannie Mae plans to sell $5 billion in preferred stock, the largest capital placement ever by the mortgage giant. The sale, to be made in two private placements—to mutual fund companies—is aimed at shoring up FNM’s decimated capital position after its regulators called it undercapitalized. This is little more than thinly-disguised debt transference to suckers.
On Tuesday, the FED entered the open market and added $6.25 billion into the banking system most of which was specifically targeted to support mortgage-backed securities. (Fannie Mae.)
On Wednesday, the FED entered the open market and added $4.75 billion into the banking system most of which was specifically targeted to support mortgage-backed securities.
On Thursday, the FED entered the open market and added $7.00 billion into the banking system most of which was apparently specifically targeted to support mortgage-backed securities.
And these are the visible efforts to prevent a collapse of one of our nation’s largest financial institutions. Who knows what is going on below the surface?
The rate-of-increase in the FED re-po pool seems to be going parabolic.
So where did that money come from? Did we just print that out of thin air? Of course we did!
Café readers know, of course, this is just one example of the willingness of the FED, with the blessings of our political leaders, to continue to break the budget as necessary to mitigate the pain on Wall Street when the bankers and financiers are on the wrong side of the trade.
Should America admit the truth and claim financial bankruptcy and only send financial pittance to other countries and people who are in pain after being hit with massive tragedy? Or, as long as our leaders have decided to continue to prop up a system broken by their own greed, should the same people try to maintain some semblance of moral balance, and at least print up and send off as much fresh money as they do each day to take care of Franklin and Fannie Mae?
I don’t pretend to know the answer. What I do know is that there has been less out-cry in America over Franklin Raines’ retirement package (that could hit $50 million dollars) than there has been over America’s announced $35 aid package to the Asian nations in trouble.
In many parts of our country yesterday, unusually heavy winter rains resulted in flooded communities.
Tears from Heaven.
Terry Wetzsteon
tpwetzsteon@cox.net