Economic Update – Another ‘Gilded Age – 05.20.18

Updates on Theranos bankruptcy and workers’ risks, our second “gilded age,” mortgage lenders turn to rich borrowers, Trump on drug prices is just rhetoric, economic effects of breaking Iran treaty. Interview with Prof Miguel Robles-Duran on gentrification and crisis of cities.   Download this episode (right click and save)

Ruth Milka – Treasury nominee’s bank was accused of “widespread misconduct” for their role in foreclosure crisis

According to newly released documents published by The Intercept, OneWest Bank, which was ran by Trump’s treasury secretary nominee, Steven Mnuchin, from 2009 to 2015, repeatedly broke laws in California during the foreclosure crisis.  Although a suit was never brought against the company, the memo states that California’s attorney general “uncovered evidence suggestive of widespread misconduct.” OneWest is a delightful …

Michael Krieger – Donald Trump Has an Enormous and Very Dangerous Wall Street Blind Spot

The biggest disappointment regarding Donald Trump since being elected President has been his total embrace of dangerous Wall Street thieves. As it is currently structured and incentivized, the financial services industry represents one of the most destructive and least beneficial forces within the U.S. economy. It is essentially a parasitic industry. Unfortunately, Trump didn’t merely pick one or two competent finance guys to …

Katherine Burton – The Golden Era of Hedge Funds Draws to a Close With Clients in Revolt

Drinks flowed as hedge fund titan Robert Mercer, dressed as Mandrake the Magician, partied with Donald Trump, dressed as, well, Donald Trump. The occasion that early December evening was Mercer’s 2016 holiday costume party, an intimate gathering of 250 at his Long Island estate. This year’s theme: “Villains and Heroes.” In Trump, Mercer and his fellow hedge funders had much …

BESS LEVIN – FORECLOSING ON A 90-YEAR-OLD WOMAN OVER 27 CENTS AND OTHER HEARTWARMING TALES FROM STEVEN MNUCHIN’S DAYS AT ONEWEST

Since it was announced Tuesday evening that Donald Trump will nominate Steven Mnuchin for Treasury secretary, a lot of time has been spent focusing on the 17 years Mnuchin worked at Goldman Sachs and whether it should disqualify him for the job. And while some might argue that having Goldman Sachs on your résumé helps qualify a person for this …

Peter Dreier – Steve Mnuchin: Evictor, Forecloser, And Our New Treasury Secretary

Above Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster. Steven Mnuchin, national finance chairman of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, arrives at Trump Tower, Monday, November 21, 2016 in New York, to meet with President-elect Donald Trump. Trump’s appointee is the very model of a predatory lender. Throughout his presidential campaign, Donald Trump criticized Wall Street bankers for their excessive political influence and attacked hedge-fund managers …