Category Archives: Financial Markets and Institutions

Podcast on Disaster Loans to Small Businesses Following Hurricane Sandy

On October 29th, 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall, causing an estimated $65 billion in property damage. In the wake of the storm, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provided physical and economic injury disaster loans to help businesses and individual homeowners … Continue reading

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GAO’s Financial Markets and Community Investment Team

GAO’s workforce is generally organized into 14 mission teams. Today we’ll be putting the spotlight on the Financial Markets and Community Investment (FMCI) team. FMCI supports Congress by helping ensure the effectiveness of regulatory oversight in financial and housing markets, … Continue reading

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Podcast on Expectations of Government Support for Large Bank Holding Companies

The perception among investors and credit agencies that a bank is “too big to fail” may affect how that bank’s holding company competes in financial markets. Hear our podcast with Lawrance Evans, Jr., a director in GAO’s Financial Markets and … Continue reading

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Podcast on Medical Credit Cards

Financial institutions offer medical credit cards through participating providers to pay for services not covered by health insurance. These services may include dental and cosmetic procedures, or veterinary care. Hear our latest podcast with Cindy Brown Barnes, a director in … Continue reading

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Tracking Progress on Financial Stability and Reform

In response to the worst financial crisis in more than 75 years, U.S. policymakers undertook wide-ranging reforms. For example, the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) aims, among other things:

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Are Financial Planners Always Working in Your Best Interest?

People frequently use financial planners for help with such things as selecting investments and insurance products, and managing tax and estate planning. Entrusting someone with your money can be risky. What steps can you take to mitigate that risk?  We … Continue reading

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