One more before I go out. From CNBC/Reuters:
More Than 90 Banks Miss TARP Payments
More than 90 U.S. banks and thrifts missed making a May 17 payment to the U.S. government under its main bank bailout program, signaling a rising number of lenders are struggling to meet their obligations.
The statistics, compiled by SNL Financial from U.S. Treasury data, showed 91 banks and thrifts skipped the May dividend payment under the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP. It was the first missed payment for 23 of the banks; for the others, it was at least their second miss.
The number of banks missing their TARP payments rose for the third straight quarter. In February, 74 banks deferred their payments; 55 deferred last November.
Major indicators point to a double-dip recession. The 400K census workers will be out of work in August, the Bush tax cuts will sunset soon and there is a big commercial real estate bubble set to burst soon. Hunker down, get rid of as much debt as possible and live frugally -- the next couple years are going to be interesting...