Money and Computing
A decade after housing bust, mortgage industry is on shaky ground, experts warn: "There is great fragility. These lenders could disappear from the map”
The ripple effects of a market collapse would be severe, and taxpayers would potentially be on the hook for losses posted by failed mortgage companies. In addition to loans backed by the FHA or VA, the government is exposed through Ginnie Mae, the federal agency that provides payment guarantees when mortgages are pooled and sold as securities to investors. The mortgage companies are supposed to bear the losses if these securitized loans go bad. But if those companies go under, the government “will probably bear the majority of the increased credit and operational losses,” the paper concludes. Ginnie Mae is especially vulnerable because almost 60 percent of the dollar volume of the mortgages it guarantees comes from nonbank lenders. more »
Congressional Floor Action, Bills Introduced: Reauthorizing the Debbie Smith Act Funding for Public Crime Laboratories' Work to Build Capacity & Process DNA Evidence Including Evidence Collected in Rape Kits
Bills Introduced: A resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States; A bill to reauthorize programs authorized under the Debbie Smith Act of 2004; A bill to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop educational materials relating to human trafficking in schools; A bill to provide rental assistance to low-income tenants of certain multi-family rural housing projects, and for other purposes.
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March 23rd: FTC and FCC Hosting Joint Policy Forum and Consumer Expo to Fight the Scourge of Illegal Robocalls
“Consumers are fed up with illegal robocalls that disturb their privacy and often pitch scams,” said Acting FTC Chairman Ohlhausen. “We’re going to expand our fight against this scourge through initiatives like the upcoming Technology Expo and Policy Forum, which amplify our impact through close coordination with the FCC and other partners.” “Scam robocalls and deceptive spoofing are real threats to American consumers, and they are the number one consumer complaint at the FCC,” said FCC Chairman Pai. “We’re committed to confronting this problem using every tool we have. I’m pleased to announce these efforts in our continued work with the FTC to protect consumers.” more »
Scout Report: Computer Dating, "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu", Western Front WWI,Women's History, Vaccinations, Newsmap, "Look Out Honey, 'Cause I'm Using Technology"
Websites you may not have discovered: Historic American newspapers; Discussing concepts including the wisdom of crowds and the law of large numbers; the four songs that accompanied that song in the Billboard's top five; history of computer dating is much older than many people realize; 'Black Broadway,' a city within a city;" discussions of concepts of the wisdom of crowds and the law of large numbers; enriching the experience of visiting a museum or gallery; keeping current with updates from all over the web can present a challenge and Conscientious Photography Magazine; the Academic Family Tree and 37 "lessons, activities, exhibitions, videos and tools that can be used to teach students about women's history in America" more »