“Failed banks are weighing on FDIC” is the headline in tomorrow’s Wall Street Journal. Banks are being taken over at an alarming rate thus far in 2009. Banks aren’t lending so it is difficult for them to make a profit while at the same time they are trying to resolve their past lending decisions. Individuals are finding it difficult to secure loans with the more stringent FICO requirements. Increasing unemployment is making it difficult for many more to maintain their home ownership. As people who are now or soon to owe more than their house is worth decide to bail on home ownership, the bank will be left holding an unwanted, depreciating asset. This is occurring all at a time when banks may be forced to mark to market their assets, showing their real estate holdings value based on today’s depressed prices thus revealing balance sheets that are becoming ever more weaker.
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