Now we have our answer

An insight into the crazy world of the last decade of banking. From Megan McArdle writing at Asymmetrical Information:

That explains a lot
Washington Mutual's innovative new lending style:

"I'd lie if I said every piece of documentation was properly signed and dated," said Mr. Parsons, speaking through wire-reinforced glass at a California prison near here, where he is serving 16 months for theft after his fourth arrest -- all involving drugs.

While Mr. Parsons, whose incarceration is not related to his work for WaMu, oversaw a team screening mortgage applications, he was snorting methamphetamine daily, he said.

"In our world, it was tolerated," said Sherri Zaback, who worked for Mr. Parsons and recalls seeing drug paraphernalia on his desk. "Everybody said, 'He gets the job done.' "

Two years ago, like many somewhat financially literate readers, I was perusing newspapers stories about crazy negative amortization mortgages and exclaiming, "What are they, on crack?" Now we have our answer.

The article that Megan is quoting is from the NY Times Hat tip to Instapundit for the link.