Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

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  • Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

    I was listening to CBC radio...our Banks...called the best in the world...according to the report...during the big dive...they were supported to the tune of 114 Billion by various sources including our tax dollars...do our economists in the group have any input...for me...this sounds scary...as my bank tries to gouge $1,300 in bank fees on the CMA account...for April...ummm...my mattress is starting to look very lucrative :)

    Larry

  • #2
    Re: Not Chess Realted...but very disturbing

    Originally posted by Larry Bevand View Post
    I was listening to CBC radio...our Banks...called the best in the world...according to the report...during the big dive...they were supported to the tune of 114 Billion by various sources including our tax dollars...do our economists in the group have any input...for me...this sounds scary...as my bank tries to gouge $1,300 in bank fees on the CMA account...for April...ummm...my mattress is starting to look very lucrative :)

    Larry
    I haven't read the report, only the media hype. However those behind the study have their own known ideological bent. At first glance I would say they are conflating the usual Central Bank lending and open market facilities with a bailout. And yes the money being lent is always our tax money. It makes for a catchy media splash which so far only the CBC seems to be propogating. I usually ignore all these think tank type of groups, including those all over the political spectrum, such as the Fraser Institute. If you get 5 economists in the same room you will get 7 different opinions. That's why its important to look at the concenus opinion not just the opinion of one or the other.

    I could discuss it further but unless you are familiar with the operation of a central bank it won't make much sense to you. Suffice it to say that the central bank uses our tax money to do this to control inflation and interest rates. This is the main way that the government has of controlling the money supply in the economy. That and printing new money. Considering that interest rates are at an all time low and that this benefits everyone who borrows money for a mortgage or otherwise I would say we are getting our tax moneys worth from lending it out, getting interest on it and at the same time controlling inflation and interest rates. Your tax dollars are helping you to pay less in interest on your debts.

    I find the report doubly suprising because only a relatively small amount had to be written off by our banks over the sub-prime crisis, notably by the Royal Bank. The TD bank for example took no write offs over the financial crisis.

    What rate of interest does your mattress pay you? The banks have a cost to providing service that has to be covered one way or the other. If not the individual account holder paying for services than anyone borrowing money and only those borrowing money from the bank would be covering the cost of providing services to all other account holders. There is no free lunch, there is only a lunch you pay for or that someone else pays for you.

    Let's also not forget that alot of those tax dollars are not just ours. Our banks, their dividend recipients and their shareholders that realize a capital gain pay a lot of taxes. That alone amounts to billions of tax dollars contributed to the public coffers every year. So when we say it's our tax dollars let's maybe remember where some of the taxes come from in the first place. I know it's not so popular to think of banks and their shareholders as being tax payers too but there you go.
    Last edited by Zeljko Kitich; Tuesday, 1st May, 2012, 04:01 PM.

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    • #3
      Re: Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

      Hi Larry,

      Sensational headlines get people's attention - let's make sure the facts are there to support, and that things are not taken out of context.

      I too, have not read the report, but from what I remember, any "support" which the banks received was in the form of backstop guarantees. As I recall, the global banking system was on the verge of freezing up as banks would not transact with each other because of fears of bank failure. Thus, the govt. "support" more moral than anything else, and was a way to comfort the market.

      In the end, our banking system stood on its own two feet and is still the envy of the world. Let's be greatful and proud of this, as the alternatives are not very appetizing - look at Europe or the US.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Not Chess Realted...but very disturbing

        Originally posted by Zeljko Kitich View Post
        I haven't read the report, only the media hype. However those behind the study have their own known ideological bent. At first glance I would say they are conflating the usual Central Bank lending and open market facilities with a bailout. And yes the money being lent is always our tax money. It makes for a catchy media splash which so far only the CBC seems to be propogating.

        I could discuss it further but unless you are familiar with the operation of a central bank it won't make much sense to you. Suffice it to say that the central bank uses our tax money to do this to control inflation and interest rates. This is the main way that the government has of controlling the money supply in the economy. That and printing new money. Considering that interest rates are at an all time low and that this benefits everyone who borrows money for a mortgage or otherwise I would say we are getting our tax moneys worth from lending it out, getting interest on it and at the same time controlling inflation and interest rates. Your tax dollars are helping you to pay less in interest on your debts.

        I find the report doubly suprising because only a relatively small amount had to be written off by our banks over the sub-prime crisis, notably by the Royal Bank. The TD bank for example took no write offs over the financial crisis.

        What rate of interest does your mattress pay you?
        Hi Zeljko,

        Thanks! I must admit it blew me out of the water! Clarification is needed!

        On a Presonal front:

        I thought I was bright...alas I lost money on the market...so I gave my funds to a person who I thought was good...he made me some money...but I thought I could do better...so I took it over...and I lost LOL...then I connected with someone else..he was worse than me...and now...for the last 3 years there is this great lady who is on top of things for me...and life is good!

        That was on the personal side....as for CMA...we have been very lucky...for the last 27 years banks have not charged us bank fees...well...the glory years are gone..if someone knows of a bank that does not charge bank fees to a non-profit like ours (or charges more reasonable fees) ...a resto of your choice is a given...when I saw the $1,300 fee for April...and my bank is saying...well...we told you blah blah...we can reduce this to $1,000...my mattress is very interesting :).

        We are still "discussing".

        If this sticks...they lose a customer for life!

        My mattress only charges $500 a month :)


        Larry

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

          Originally posted by Evan Frangakis View Post
          Hi Larry,

          Sensational headlines get people's attention - let's make sure the facts are there to support, and that things are not taken out of context.

          I too, have not read the report, but from what I remember, any "support" which the banks received was in the form of backstop guarantees. As I recall, the global banking system was on the verge of freezing up as banks would not transact with each other because of fears of bank failure. Thus, the govt. "support" more moral than anything else, and was a way to comfort the market.

          In the end, our banking system stood on its own two feet and is still the envy of the world. Let's be greatful and proud of this, as the alternatives are not very appetizing - look at Europe or the US.
          Hi Evan,

          Thank you for registering for the CMA Superfest and for your many kind words!!

          I hope you are right on what you said in this post..today the truth is difficult to find :)

          We will have great fun in the Laurentiens this summer with us...and I am happy you will be a part of this!

          Larry

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

            Originally posted by Larry Bevand View Post
            I was listening to CBC radio...our Banks...called the best in the world...according to the report...during the big dive...they were supported to the tune of 114 Billion by various sources including our tax dollars...do our economists in the group have any input...for me...this sounds scary...as my bank tries to gouge $1,300 in bank fees on the CMA account...for April...ummm...my mattress is starting to look very lucrative :)

            Larry
            I heard that yesterday and thought about it a bit. Sometimes I think wrong but here's my thoughts on it.

            If our government was able to avert the same kind of problems here as the Americans faced simply by quietly and quickly doing what the Americans ended up doing loudly and publicly, they probably did a good job. We got thought the crisis relatively well, compared with the U.S.

            The U.S. banks had to issue large amounts of shares (ownership) to their government and the right wing republic to our south became very much socialist. As far as I know they still own chunks of U.S. banks and other institutions.

            Part of the bailout, as far as I can see (and it might be wrong), was the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) "buying" mortgages from the banks. These are mortgages which the CMHC was already insuring. When all is said and done and the mortgages paid off I think the government will come out about 2 billion ahead. Probably that was about half the solution. (Bailout is such a harsh word. :) )

            I'm not sure of where the rest of the money came from but look forward to reading the book when someone writes it.
            Gary Ruben
            CC - IA and SIM

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

              Originally posted by Gary Ruben View Post
              I heard that yesterday and thought about it a bit. Sometimes I think wrong but here's my thoughts on it.

              If our government was able to avert the same kind of problems here as the Americans faced simply by quietly and quickly doing what the Americans ended up doing loudly and publicly, they probably did a good job. We got thought the crisis relatively well, compared with the U.S.

              The U.S. banks had to issue large amounts of shares (ownership) to their government and the right wing republic to our south became very much socialist. As far as I know they still own chunks of U.S. banks and other institutions.

              Part of the bailout, as far as I can see (and it might be wrong), was the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) "buying" mortgages from the banks. These are mortgages which the CMHC was already insuring. When all is said and done and the mortgages paid off I think the government will come out about 2 billion ahead. Probably that was about half the solution. (Bailout is such a harsh word. :) )

              I'm not sure of where the rest of the money came from but look forward to reading the book when someone writes it.
              I have read nothing that suggests that in Canada those were sub-prime loans or made to individuals that were not capable of making payments on those mortgages. There was no foreclosure crisis in Canada nor have I ever read that there was an increase in foreclosures in Canada because Canadian banks engaged in sub-prime lending to those for example without sufficient income to pay their mortgages. Nor did the CMHC rules permit that.

              For a very good read on a very simiar financial circumstances to the subprime crisis that brought down a Canadian insurance company read Who Killed Confederation Life? This happened in 90 or 91 but is a good blueprint for the subprime crisis and what can happen if the real estate market has a significant downturn. It is a popular book but out of necessity it gets fairly technical. The same writer wrote about the Eatons downfall.
              Last edited by Zeljko Kitich; Tuesday, 1st May, 2012, 04:49 PM.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

                Originally posted by Gary Ruben View Post
                I heard that yesterday and thought about it a bit. Sometimes I think wrong but here's my thoughts on it.

                If our government was able to avert the same kind of problems here as the Americans faced simply by quietly and quickly doing what the Americans ended up doing loudly and publicly, they probably did a good job. We got thought the crisis relatively well, compared with the U.S.

                The U.S. banks had to issue large amounts of shares (ownership) to their government and the right wing republic to our south became very much socialist. As far as I know they still own chunks of U.S. banks and other institutions.

                Part of the bailout, as far as I can see (and it might be wrong), was the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) "buying" mortgages from the banks. These are mortgages which the CMHC was already insuring. When all is said and done and the mortgages paid off I think the government will come out about 2 billion ahead. Probably that was about half the solution. (Bailout is such a harsh word. :) )

                I'm not sure of where the rest of the money came from but look forward to reading the book when someone writes it.
                Good post Gary...I would love to read the book...from my perspective....the Canadian Banks have a special status that may not be as well deserved as what we see...In Canada we have a great banking system that charges incredible bank fees... so when I hear about these financial issues...I have to ask questions....

                Larry

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

                  Originally posted by Zeljko Kitich View Post
                  I have read nothing that suggests that in Canada those were sub-prime loans or made to individuals that were not capable of making payments on those mortgages. There was no foreclosure crisis in Canada nor have I ever read that there was an increase in foreclosures in Canada because Canadian banks engaged in sub-prime lending to those for example without sufficient income to pay their mortgages. Nor did the CMHC rules permit that.
                  I understood in Canada it was a liquidity problem. They swapped mortgages for money. What you wrote above points out why the government will make money on the transaction.
                  Gary Ruben
                  CC - IA and SIM

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

                    Originally posted by Larry Bevand View Post
                    Good post Gary...I would love to read the book...from my perspective....the Canadian Banks have a special status that may not be as well deserved as what we see...In Canada we have a great banking system that charges incredible bank fees... so when I hear about these financial issues...I have to ask questions....

                    Larry
                    Banks have a 'special status' because the central bank acts through them and on the open market to control interest and inflation and money supply. That's also why they are so regulated by governments. Try this book for a good cheap read on how it all works http://www.amazon.com/Banking-Bernst...5906650&sr=8-8

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

                      Originally posted by Larry Bevand View Post

                      That was on the personal side....as for CMA...we have been very lucky...for the last 27 years banks have not charged us bank fees...well...the glory years are gone..if someone knows of a bank that does not charge bank fees to a non-profit like ours (or charges more reasonable fees) ...a resto of your choice is a given...when I saw the $1,300 fee for April...and my bank is saying...well...we told you blah blah...we can reduce this to $1,000...my mattress is very interesting :).
                      At the CFC I used to bank at the Province of Ontario Savings Office, until the auditor forced us to bank at a regular chartered bank. POSO had no service charges, for cheques or deposits etc. And they paid interest on your balance.

                      President's Choice Financial does not charge for the same things, and produces readable monthly statements in PDF. I don't know if they let organizations have accounts. Probably not, unless you can convince them your name is Chess N. Math. I want to change my name to "Receiver General".

                      But maybe you're talking about modren concepts such as credit card commissions, in which case I have no hint.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

                        From the President's Choice site:

                        http://www.banking.pcfinancial.ca/a/...lyBanking.page

                        "Do you offer services for small businesses?

                        At this time we open individual or joint President's Choice Financial accounts in personal names only. Business accounts and/or non-profit organizations accounts have not yet been established."

                        Larry - check with other banks. If any give a much better deal (i.e. free like you had before), report back to your current bank, and I'm sure they will match it. Otherwise - threaten to change banks. (I have had a CIBC account and never a charge since I opened it about 30 years ago - just keep a minimum balance of $1000).

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

                          and if you want to get a flavour of the organization behind this 'secret' bank loans study just read some of their other viewpoints, such as the US being behind the protests in Syria and wrongly trying to remove Assad from office http://www.policyalternatives.ca/pub...-revolution-vi

                          they also question whether Ontario is in fact is facing fiscal difficulties http://www.policyalternatives.ca/pub...fiscal-reality
                          Last edited by Zeljko Kitich; Wednesday, 2nd May, 2012, 02:20 AM.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Not Chess Realted...but very disturbing

                            Originally posted by Larry Bevand View Post
                            That was on the personal side....as for CMA...we have been very lucky...for the last 27 years banks have not charged us bank fees...well...the glory years are gone..if someone knows of a bank that does not charge bank fees to a non-profit like ours (or charges more reasonable fees) ...a resto of your choice is a given...when I saw the $1,300 fee for April...and my bank is saying...well...we told you blah blah...we can reduce this to $1,000...my mattress is very interesting :).

                            We are still "discussing".

                            If this sticks...they lose a customer for life!
                            I'm not sure what bank you currently use... I know BMO had good deals for community groups (as in free accounts), not sure if that also applies to non-profits.

                            Alternatively you could contact the Toronto Star and see if they'll do a story about how the evil big bank is milking non-profits despite how much money they already earn...!
                            Christopher Mallon
                            FIDE Arbiter

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Not Chess Related...but very disturbing

                              For what it's worth, here are three of my ideas re banks and money:
                              1) When we deposit funds into a bank account we are, in effect, loaning money to the bank. We expect something in return. We used to get interest but now it's more service related (internet banking, cash machines and debit cards are foremost). The services are nice but let's not lose sight of the fact that we are loaning the banks our money.
                              2) Inflation equals tax. If you put your money in a mattress its "value" is steadily declining. So generally speaking it's better to put your money to work. Just how is, of course, the big question. No risk, no gain.
                              3) Money is a club (in the weapon sense). The more money you have the bigger the club you can swing. When you negotiate with a bank never hesitate to take a few swings!

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