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Tuesday

Fed Pulls The Plug On Mortgage Purchases

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifying on Capitol Hill this month about how the U.S. economy still needs the assistance of the Fed. At the end of March, however, the agency plans to stop purchasing mortgage-backed securities. hide caption

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Crisis In The Housing Market

Fed Pulls The Plug On Mortgage Purchases

The Federal Reserve will stop buying mortgage-backed securities this week, ending a massive program that’s been helping the housing market recover. The Fed has bought more than $1.2 trillion of mortgage-backed securities in all.

Fed Pulls The Plug On Mortgage Purchases

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Sunday

Politics

Pentagon Wants Stronger Defenses Against Scams

Among the forces lined up behind a new consumer financial protection agency proposed by the Obama administration, one stands out as used to a tough fight: the Pentagon. Officials say troops can be attractive targets for scams — and the resulting stress can distract them from their jobs.

Pentagon Wants Stronger Defenses Against Scams

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Business

Homeowners, A Shortcut To Short Sales Is Coming

The Obama administration is launching another new program aimed at easing the housing crisis. Starting April 5, homeowners who qualify will get help selling their homes through a short-sale process rather than having to face foreclosure.

Homeowners, A Shortcut To Short Sales Is Coming

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Business

Coming To America: Third World Microlending

With banks tightening credit limits and restricting loans, what's a cash-hungry small business to do? Try out a financing method of tiny loans honed in developing countries.

Coming To America: Third World Microlending

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Friday

National

Debt Forgiveness Key In Plan To Curb Foreclosures

The Obama administration is expanding help for homeowners facing foreclosure — especially those who are "underwater," or owe more than their homes are worth — with a new initiative being unveiled Friday. Some economists hope it will be a breakthrough in propping up the housing market — a key to fixing the economy.

Debt Forgiveness Key In Plan To Curb Foreclosures

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Education

Can Education Dept. Handle Student Loans Solo?

Starting July 1, banks and private lenders will be out of the federal student loan picture, and students will get their loans directly from the Department of Education. The direct-lending program already accounts for almost half of all federal student loans, but that number will more than double in the next three months.

Can Education Dept. Handle Student Loans Solo?

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Thursday

A Failed Bank: One Year Later

One year ago this week, we brought you the story of a bank failure. The Bank of Clark County was a small bank in southwest Washington state. One Friday, in what has become a weekly ritual of the Great Recession, the FDIC stepped in to take it over. We told you about the banker who lost his job. The federal agent who ran the takeover. So what has happened to these people, and the bank's assets, since then?

A Failed Bank: One Year Later

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Business

Recent Efforts Have Some Reconsidering Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart often inspires an intense love-hate reaction. Recent studies suggest it might be time for critics to look at Wal-Mart in a more positive light. These days, the world's largest retailer works with local farmers to supply cheaper, more local organic food.

Recent Efforts Have Some Reconsidering Wal-Mart

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Wednesday

A Taxing Question: DIY Or Hire An Accountant?

In April 2008, Qiao Ming picks out 2007 tax forms at the Illinois Department of Revenue in Springfield. Some people prefer to do their own taxes, while others take comfort in using a professional. Seth Perlman/AP hide caption

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Seth Perlman/AP

A Taxing Question: DIY Or Hire An Accountant?

NPR asked Facebook users whether they prefer to do their own taxes or hire a professional. Hundreds of people — including actors, musicians and entrepreneurs — responded with tales of tax anxiety. One couple even said they set aside a romantic holiday to do their taxes.

A Taxing Question: DIY Or Hire An Accountant?

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Tuesday

Law

Supreme Court Rules In Student Loan Debt Case

Finding himself unable to pay debts he had accrued as a student, a young man declared bankruptcy through the courts. Years later, the lender said that the debt had not been forgiven altogether. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the man.

Supreme Court Rules In Student Loan Debt Case

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Technology

Bump For Cash: Phones As Virtual Wallets

The use of mobile phones to exchange money is a main theme at this week's wireless industry conference in Las Vegas. Last week, PayPal introduced an iPhone app that lets users pay for items by tapping their handset against another phone.

Bump For Cash: Phones As Virtual Wallets

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Sunday

Pennsylvania Pensions: From Surplus To A Deep Hole

Deferred Promises: America's Pension Crisis

Pennsylvania Pensions: From Surplus To A Deep Hole

Generous benefits, underfunding from the state and worse-than-expected investment returns have pushed Pennsylvania's two large public pension funds into multibillion-dollar holes. The state didn't set aside enough money to make good on the pension promises it made.

Pennsylvania Pensions: From Surplus To A Deep Hole

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