Reuters: U.S. banks continue to ease lending standards: Fed

U.S. banks continue to ease lending standards: Fed

WASHINGTON | Mon Aug 15, 2011 3:09pm EDT

(Reuters) - U.S. banks continue to ease lending standards and most terms on all major non-real estate loans during the past three months, the Federal Reserve reported in its quarterly survey of senior loan officers.

Reuters: Analysis: How low can mortgage rates go?

Analysis: How low can mortgage rates go?

By Ashleigh Patterson
NEW YORK | Mon Aug 15, 2011 11:03am EDT

(Reuters) - Mark Sass and his wife Jan decided to refinance the mortgage on their Cincinnati, Ohio, home on Friday, just days before the Federal Reserve pledged to keep rates near historic lows through the first half of 2013.

Fortune: Don't fight the last recession's war. You'll lose.

Don't fight the last recession's war. You'll lose.
August 15, 2011: 5:00 AM ET

Opening the managerial toolbox from the 2008 recession to tackle today's economic turmoil will only get you into trouble. That's because the critical elements that affect companies are sharply different today.

USA Today: Economists' outlook darkens: See 30% chance of recession

Economists' outlook darkens: See 30% chance of recession
By Paul Davidson and Barbara Hansen, USA TODAY

The chances of the economy slipping into another recession have risen significantly, and forecasts for economic growth and job gains over the next year have been substantially downsized, according to USA TODAY's quarterly survey of top economists.

S&P: How The U.S. Sovereign Downgrade Affects Municipal Housing

How The U.S. Sovereign Downgrade Affects Municipal Housing (00:03:34 min)

After downgrading the U.S. to ‘AA+’ from ‘AAA’ on Aug. 5, 2011, Standard & Poor's lowered its ratings on many U.S. companies and government-sponsored entities with financial ties to the sovereign.

WSJ: Roubini Warns of Global Recession Risk

Roubini Warns of Global Recession Risk
8/11/2011 6:42:02 PM

Economist Nouriel Roubini says the risk of a global recession is greater than 50 percent, and the next two to three months will reveal the economy's direction. In an interview with WSJ's Simon Constable, Roubini also says he's putting his money in cash. "This is not the time to be in risky assets," he says.

Bloomberg: First-Time Jobless Claims in U.S. Unexpectedly Decrease to Four-Month Low

Related News: Bloomberg, Economy, U.S.
First-Time Jobless Claims in U.S. Unexpectedly Decrease to Four-Month Low
By Bob Willis - Aug 11, 2011 08:19 PM GMT

Claims for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly dropped last week to a four-month low, signaling the job market is being hampered by a lack of hiring rather than more firings.

CNNMoney: Mortgages rates keep falling: 30-year nears record low

Mortgages rates keep falling: 30-year nears record low
By Les Christie August 11, 2011: 3:17 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Just when it seemed mortgage rates weren't going to get any lower, they started testing new lows.

CNNMoney: Unemployment claims fall to 4-month low

Unemployment claims fall to 4-month low
By Annalyn Censky @CNNMoney August 11, 2011: 9:55 AM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- At a time when the economy seems to be hanging by a thread, the Labor Department reported at least some better news about the job market Thursday.

U.S. Consumer Confidence Declines to Lowest Since May in Bloomberg Index

Related News: Bloomberg, U.S., Economy
U.S. Consumer Confidence Declines to Lowest Since May in Bloomberg Index
By Jillian Berman - Aug 11, 2011 05:45 AM GMT-0800

Consumer confidence dropped last week to the lowest level since mid-May as American high earners, homeowners and those working full time turned more pessimistic.