The Los Angeles Times reported a run of Countrywide Bank by its customers as more and more are panicked about the potential of the nation’s largest home lender to go bankruptcy – something fueled by many of the reports in the media.
“[S]ales of existing homes fell in 41 states from April through June,” said CBS correspondent Susan McGinnis on the August 16 “The Early Show.” “Meanwhile, foreclosures continue to soar. And there are growing worries about the nation's biggest mortgage lender; Countrywide Financial could be forced into bankruptcy.”
But some experts seem to think this scare from the media over Countrywide’s bankruptcy is a little premature.
“Well, Countrywide is amazing,” said Donald Trump on CNN’s “Larry King Live” August 16. “They took down an $11-billion line. These banks must be absolutely thrilled, because everyone's saying they're going bankrupt, but just prior to going bankrupt they took down $11 billion. How would you like to be one of those banks? And it looks to me like Countrywide's going to be around a little bit, because they went out and borrowed a lot of money.”
This morning, the Federal Reserve moved to stabilize the markets with a half-percentage-point cut in its loan discount rate. This suggested to CNBC’s Larry Kudlow the Fed remained confident about these mortgage lenders, primarily Countrywide.
“[C]ommercial paper last week, we just got the new Fed numbers, was down $91 billion, it’s the worst since 9/11 – so Countrywide, Thornburg, Washington Mutual and other big mortgage lenders are not going to go under – that’s basically what the Fed is saying. That’s terrific stuff, but it’s only the first step – much more is coming.”
Countrywide Financial was one of today’s top gainers on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index in the wake of the Fed’s move.



















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Some in the media
August 17, 2007 - 15:07 ET by c5thenHave been hyping the alleged coming credit disaster for a while now. It seems to me that they have decided that if reality won't cooperate they will create a disaster themselves.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic
I heard about this today on
August 17, 2007 - 15:46 ET by bigtimerI heard about this today on Rush towards the end of his broadcast...
He said Drudge had it up there with his name at the beginning and wanted to make sure nobody pulled the money from Countrywide because there would be a run on the bank of pulling out the $$$...that he had NO money in the institution.
Looks like it is happening anyway....
Lord I detest the msm of all venues.
Don't miss Trump's comment
August 17, 2007 - 20:27 ET by nkviking75I'm not a fan of Donald Trump, but don't miss that quote featured above. I'll repeat it here:
“Well, Countrywide is amazing,” said Donald Trump on CNN’s “Larry King Live” August 16. “They took down an $11-billion line. These banks must be absolutely thrilled, because everyone's saying they're going bankrupt, but just prior to going bankrupt they took down $11 billion. How would you like to be one of those banks? And it looks to me like Countrywide's going to be around a little bit, because they went out and borrowed a lot of money.”
A lot of financial institutions gambled a lot of money on Countrywide's future. Either the financial industry is full of idiots, or the experts have more faith in Countrywide than the MSM.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.