[whitedog57]

I found this on Seeking Alpha. What is says is that the Federal government has effectively taken over all lending in the US (more so than in the past). Fannie, Freddie, FHA control mortgage markets, ADM controls business and consumer loans, etc, etc. Not a good sign.

[Thane_Banquo]

Crowding-Out Effect.

Since only government bonds are ever purchased by a central bank, quantitative easing is a de facto subsidy to banks for lending only to the US government. It works like this: "If you buy long-dated Treasury Bonds, the Federal Reserve will come in a few months and buy them back from you at a higher price."

[Thane_Banquo]

Are the regulators going to wait until The Fed’s rosy forecasts for the economy come to fruition BEFORE they release the clamps on bank lending?

Every time a bank tries to do something in the private sector, it gets hammered for it by Dear Reader and the trial lawyers. On the other hand, in the guise of "quantitative easing," Bernanke is subsidizing banks for lending only to the US government.

[Razzz42]

Banks not lending. How’bout consumers not wanting loans?

Extraordinary low interest rates for housing and very few apply except for refinancing which does nothing for the housing glut.

Citizens not sure about the future with O’bummer care lurking in the dark or not sure about who is the next president and why. With companies spending a lot of time trying to figure out ever changing tax codes, can’t expect the economy to take off soon either.

The good news is, my local Walmart sells ammo now.