Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!

How does the Fed find an extra $2.3 trillion?

Turns out it's much more akin to printing money than it is to borrowing.
The central bank announced yesterday it's making more money available to counteract the economic effects of the pandemic.
Karen Bleier/AFP via Getty Images

With mortgage delinquencies at a low, can lenders afford to loosen up a bit?

May 14, 2019
Consumer advocates say it's time to loosen restrictions imposed after the housing collapse.
A foreclosure sign.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

What layoffs in the mortgage industry say about our economy

Nov 16, 2018
It’s been a year of transition for Wells Fargo after a series of scandals in its consumer banking business. The company’s paid billions of dollars in penalties and just announced it’s cutting 900 jobs in its mortgage division. The job cuts are part of a big restructuring plan the bank announced back in September, with […]

Netflix to borrow an additional $2 billion to fund new shows

Oct 24, 2018
The streaming service has already borrowed more than $8 billion to fund original programming. Can it keep borrowing?
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings delivers a keynote address at CES 2016 at the Venetian Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Netflix to borrow an additional $2 billion to fund new shows

Oct 24, 2018
The streaming service has already borrowed more than $8 billion to fund original programming. Can it keep borrowing?
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings delivers a keynote address at CES 2016 at the Venetian Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Re-Fi? Standby … Rates are not great right now

Oct 19, 2018
Five years ago, refinancing made up 75 percent of the mortgage business. Today, it’s just around 37 percent. With climbing interest rates, demand has dipped and the mortgage industry is poised to shed jobs. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Re-Fi? Standby … Rates are not great right now

Oct 19, 2018
Five years ago, refinancing made up 75 percent of the mortgage business. Today, it’s just around 37 percent. With climbing interest rates, demand has dipped and the mortgage industry is poised to shed jobs. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Regulation of installment loans varies widely by state

Oct 18, 2018
A new report from Pew Charitable Trusts finds that nearly 10 million Americans turn to consumer finance companies for short-term installment loans when they need quick cash. But just how much they pay in finance charges can add up depending on how their state regulates lenders. Here’s why some groups are calling for stricter rules […]