Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Obama touts Wall St. changes on Lehman anniversary
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Obama touts Wall St. changes on Lehman anniversary
By BEN FELLER,Associated Press Writer AP - Tuesday, September 15
NEW YORK - President Barack Obama sternly warned Wall Street Monday against returning to the sort of reckless and unchecked behavior that threatened the nation with a second Great Depression.
ADVERTISEMENT
Even as he noted the U.S. economy and financial system were pulling out of a downward spiral, Obama warned financial titans on the first anniversary of the Lehman Brothers collapse that they could not count on any more bailouts.
He credited his administration and the $787 billion stimulus package rammed through Congress in the first days of his taking office for pulling the country back from the brink.
"We can be confident that the storms of the past two years are beginning to break," he said.
And even as the economy begins a "return to normalcy," Obama said, "normalcy cannot lead to complacency."
Nevertheless, Obama said, "Instead of learning the lessons of Lehman and the crisis from which we are still recovering, they are choosing to ignore them."
His tough message warned the financial community to "hear my words: We will not go back to the days of reckless behavior and unchecked excess at the heart of this crisis, where too many were motivated only by the appetite for quick kills and bloated bonuses."
Obama spoke at Federal Hall in the heart of Wall Street before an audience that included members of the financial community, lawmakers, and top administration officials. Afterwards, he joined former President Bill Clinton for lunch at a New York restaurant as the White House announced Obama would address the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative Sept. 22 while in New York for the United Nations General Assembly meeting.
In marking his determination to prevent a repeat of the crisis that nearly brought down the global financial system last fall, Obama said he was attacking the problem on several broad fronts, including asking Congress to approve new rules to protect consumers and a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency to enforce those rules. He also called for the closure of regulator loopholes and overlap that "were at the heart of the crisis" because they left key officials without "the authority to take action."
At the Pittsburgh G-20 economic meeting later this month, Obama said the U.S. will focus on ways "to spur global demand but also to address the underlying problems that caused such a deep and lasting global recession."
Obama and others seeking ways to better monitor the financial system and to police the products banks sell to consumers have been opposed by lobbyists, lawmakers and turf-protecting regulators. Mergers and sales of banks have consolidated lending power in even few hands. And those large firms still bet far more than the capital they have on hand.
Yet regulations have not moved. Much of the legislative motivation in Washington has been consumed by the contentious debate over changes to the health care system. Government intervention into private automakers such as General Motors have left lawmakers skittish to move further into corporate board rooms. And it's not as if another collapse is obviously imminent.
On Capitol Hill, Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., said the admistration deserves "considerable credit" for acting to stabilize the financial system, but he warned that Congress should not overreact in approving new regulations.
"We must be wary of the reality that, in an attempt to address yesterday's failures, Congress will put in place regulatory schemes which will fundamentally undermine risk taking, capital formation and entrepreneurship," Gregg said.
Five of the biggest banks _ Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Bank of America _ posted second-quarter profits totaling $13 billion. That's more than double what they made in the second quarter of 2008 and nearly two-thirds as much as the $20.7 billion they earned in the second quarter of 2007 _ when the economy was considered strong.
The failure of Lehman Brothers _ the biggest bankruptcy in U.S. history _ and the panicky sales of Bear Stearns to JPMorgan Chase and Merrill Lynch to Bank of America transformed Wall Street and gave fewer competitors increased market power.
As of June 30, three banks _ JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America _ held $2.3 trillion in domestic deposits, or $3 out of every $10 in deposit in the United States. Three years ago those three institutions held about 20 percent of the industry total.
Obama has sought tougher capital requirements for banks, arguing that banks' buying of exotic financial products without keeping enough cash on reserve was a key cause of the crisis. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has urged the Group of 20 nations to agree on new capital levels by the end of 2010 and put them in place two years later.
The administration also has proposed increased transparency of markets in which banks trade the most complex _ and potentially risky _ financial products. Obama's broad plan also would give the Fed new oversight powers and impose conditions designed to discourage companies from getting too big.
Sen. Chris Dodd, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, is leading the push for those new rules and his aides hope to have legislation together before the year's end. Already they have conducted hearings on the source of the problem and how best to prevent another.
But a key component of the Obama plan _ creating an agency to oversee marketing financial products to consumers _ faces a tough road to become a law. Industry lobbying against it and other proposed financial rules has been fierce and the president's fellow Democrats have been slow to take up the cause.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Judge: Hairspray triggered teen's alcohol monitorAP - 1 hour 26 minutes ago
Donated couch comes with stowaway kittenAP - 1 hour 30 minutes ago
Ecuador, Colombia talk again 1 1/2 yrs after invasionAP - 1 hour 32 minutes ago
New York residences raided in terrorism probeAP - 1 hour 35 minutes ago
Exit polls: Norway's government wins re-electionAP - 1 hour 40 minutes ago
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Nestle warns of possible exit from Switzerland
Remains of Jesus-era synagogue found in Israel
Study explains bacteria's resistance to antibiotics
Depression harms cancer survival rates: study
Britain apologises to WWII code-breaker hero
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Tuesday, 15 September 2009 Bagram inmates can challenge detention: Pentagon
Europe to emerge from recession in 3rd qtr, says EU
US-TECH Summary
Intel restructures, senior exec leaves for EMC
Netanyahu: no complete West Bank building freeze
sells stake in Alibaba.com for 150 mln dlrs
Venezuela inks $2.2 bln weapons deal with Russia
Intuit buying Mint.com for 170 mln dlrs
Kissing quest makes Taiwan woman a web sensation
Norway left wins rare re-election: exit polls
| International
|
Iraqi court orders the release of Bush shoe thrower
Public trust in US media eroding: Pew study
U.S. behind attack on militant in Somalia: U.S. sources
| International
|
Web TV firm Joost ousts Chairman Mike Volpi
Student leader in dock as Iran resumes protesters' trial
Top U.N official to visit Sri Lanka, discuss refugees
| International
|
Dalai Lama briefed about US approach to Tibet
Obama touts Wall St. changes on Lehman anniversary
U.S. NATO envoy says Europeans firm on Afghanistan
Dalai Lama hopes to meet Obama in Nov: statement
Harkin: `Silent majority' back health care reform
Myanmar politicians' kin set to join new party
Obama urges financial industry to rebuild trust
Taiwan coast guard alerted after Japan nabs skipper
US joins UN rights council as member for 1st time
Outgoing Japan PM bids successor 'good luck'
Inspiration for movie 'Norma Rae' dies at 68
Regulators: accounting changes need global reach
New Islamic law in Indonesia's Aceh province
Obama: Some Wall St. firms ignoring Lehman lessons
Classes resume in riot-turn city of Urumqi, China
Indonesia's Aceh passes law on stoning to death
Tenn. ash spill community getting $40M from TVA
China lodges complaint at WTO over US tyre tariffs
Man accused of attacking mayor pleads insanity
Japanese high-tech giants in cellphone merger
Turkmenistan, Russia's Itera sign energy deal
New film Precious gets big push from Oprah
| Entertainment
|
Whitney Houston says mom rescued her from drugs
| Entertainment
|
Correction: Oprah Winfrey story
Winfrey, Tyler Perry push new film `Precious'
'Big Brother' reunion won't have booted contestant
Rocker Juanes' wife gives birth to son in Miami
Apocalypse now? Dark visions at Toronto film festival
| Entertainment
|
'Shakespeare in Love' set to be reborn as theater
World celebrities sing to stop global warming
Intel restructures, senior exec leaves for EMC
Mafia sank boat with radioactive waste: official
Iran agrees date for nuclear talks in move welcomed by US
Top al Qaeda militant killed in Somalia
| International
|
Europe to emerge from recession in 3rd qtr, says EU
U.S. senator promises look into cellphone-cancer link
Iran agrees date for nuclear talks in move welcomed by US
Magna says to cut 10,500 jobs at Opel
Iranian conservative harshly criticises regime
U.S. envoy meets Netanyahu over settlement freeze
| International
|
Broadcom files patent infringement suit against Emulex
Iran's talks with world powers to start next month
Chile to adopt Japanese digital TV standard: Bachelet
Netanyahu says won't freeze building in settlements
Microsoft testing 'Visual Search'
Obama lashes out at Wall Street
Japan cabinet takes shape, Fujii for finance: media
| International
|
New York Times warns readers of website virus
Norway's Stoltenberg set to stay in power
| International
|
UK's Conservatives have 14 point lead: poll
| International
|
U.S. concerned over Venezuela-Russia arms deal
| International
|
U.N. assembly votes for more powerful women's agency
| International
|
Swiss watchdog threatens to sue Google over Street View
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,344
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 752
HP shows off new ultra-thin PCs, stylish netbook
| Technology
|
Calif. judge gives ex assistant sheriff 27 months
DC subway worker dies after hit by train last week
3 New York residences raided in terrorism probe
Obama admin fights Bagram detainee court access
Rules on Wilson's outburst open to interpretation
U of Illinois faculty back leaders' ouster
Koreas exchange lists of families separated by war
U.S. senator promises look into cellphone-cancer link
| Technology
|
APNewsBreak: Report says punishment led to killing
Japan cabinet takes shape, Fujii for finance
Defense: Brooke Astor was lucid when changing will
Taiwan sub skipper falls overboard during training
Conservationists say 70 dolphins in Japan released
Classes resume after China syringe attacks
4th Guantanamo detainee agrees to move to Palau
Indonesia's Aceh to allow stoning for adulterers
Malaysian judge hands out 2nd caning for alcohol
Missile kills 4 in Pakistan; 18 die in stampede
US turns over seized prehistoric relics to China
Offshore holdings of NZ govt rise in August
S.Korea T-bonds inch up; eyes on jobs data
Actor Patrick Swayze dead at 57
Seoul shares gain as shipbuilders rally;techs down
S.Korea regulator calls for careful exit
Patrick Swayze dead at 57: report
US seeks fresh look at SKorea auto imports
Lowe, Garner blast Kanye West and 'You lie!' lawmaker
Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze dead at 57
| Entertainment
|
Leno launches U.S. prime-time television experiment
| Entertainment
|
Toyota says European demand won't recover till mid-2010
Venice Fest short on prizes for local fare
| Entertainment
|
AES shares rise on report of China interest
Whitney Houston says husband painted evil eyes in house
| Entertainment
|
Lame? Seinfeld stars reunite after 11 years
| Entertainment
|
Kanye West taking time off after debacle
| Entertainment
|
Keanu Reeves hams it up as webisode star
| Entertainment
|
Quentin Tarantino to open Mexican film festival
Actor Patrick Swayze dead at 57
Kiefer Sutherland to head new acting school
| Entertainment
|
New suspect emerges in possible Brian Jones murder
New suspect emerges in possible Brian Jones murder
| Entertainment
|
Marc Jacobs leads pack at NY Fashion Week
New suspect emerges in possible Brian Jones murder
| Entertainment
|
Neil Young taps No Doubt, Chris Martin for benefit
Film star Patrick Swayze dead at 57: reports
Whitney Houston says husband painted evil eyes in house
Lowe, Garner blast Kanye West and 'You lie!' lawmaker
Music world slams Kanye West over awards outburst
Rapper Kanye West taking time off after debacle
Recounts due at 10% of Afghan polling stations
Brown seeks to reassure unions before election
Google launches online news reader 'Fast Flip'
Obama lashes out at Wall Street
Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush released from jail
| International
|
Iraqi shoe thrower released; says he was tortured
Iran says lays ground for more cooperation with IAEA
| International
|
'Dirty Dancing' star Patrick Swayze dead at 57
Afghan recount to cover 10 percent of polling stations
| International
|
Iran nuclear talks probably in Turkey: Solana
One in six Mediterranean mammals face extinction
China says 75 suspects held over far-west needle scare
| International
|
Recounts at 10 percent of Afghan polling stations
Russia's Medvedev says may run in 2012 vote: reports
| International
|
Iran talks likely in Turkey
Chinese schools quietly discard controversial Web filter
| International
|
US lawmakers to quiz military chief on Afghan war
Bagram inmates win right to challenge detention
No more reckless behavior: Obama warns Wall Street
Chinese schools quietly discard controversial Web filter
| Technology
|
Scientists find virtual reality helps relieve pain
| Technology
|
Police: College student kills intruder with sword
Plane crash plotter to appear in Indiana court
A paw and a prayer: Pilots save shelter animals
Obama back on the economy
The Nation's weather
Rights group suspends analyst over Nazi collection
Philippine July remittances surge to 9.3 percent
Iraq shoe-thrower freed, accuses guards of torture
China wants action on IMF at G-20 summit
Pakistan foreign investment falls 36 pct in July-Aug
Taiwan dollar rises on stocks, c.bank caps gains
Japan airline to cut 6,800 jobs and seek tie-up
WRAPUP 2-South Korea says economic support has to stay
San Miguel seeks new business opportunities
SLanka foreign reserves record high: central bank
Seoul shares hit 14-mth closing high; banks gain =2
Prince Harry turns 25
Taiwan's Formosa Plastics plans huge Vietnam port
Dan Brown returns after 6 year wait
Aussie rocker Garrett won't join climate change song
Ukraine dismisses Elton John's adoption bid
Marvel vs. Disney: Two very different Americas
Rightwing Czech hate groups target Roma: report
Indonesia flash floods kill 38: official
No drugs please, we're Singaporean goths
Indonesian rights groups condemn new stoning law
Freemasons hail Dan Brown's latest novel as good fun
| Entertainment
|
Leno launches U.S. prime-time television experiment
Flash floods hit Indonesian village, 25 missing
'Dirty Dancing' star Patrick Swayze dies at 57
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights