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Next to the walk in wedding ceremony?
it takes all types!
Boohoo!
third fifth
Those handwritten bank signs usually pull me in. They always pull me in, though, when there is a guy twirling it around in spectacular fashion. WaMu needs a sign twirler.
I had thought that it was an "internet-only" rate and that walk-ins were getting a lower rate?
Apparently something changed.
What, no "Bottomless cup of coffee"?
And Doors references too!
impulse depositor, haha.
goodbye wamu, we hardly knew ye.
Get it while you can. Today is the final day of this great offer!
I was going to make a crude bathroom joke, but I thought otherwise.
That's how I picked my bank. Just drove down the road 'til I saw a bank.
Do the CDs come in $10 denominations?
If they too are hand-painted, they'd make great novelty Christmas presents.
In all fairness, these white-board magic-marker signs are widely used at WAMU as part of their cheeky advertising strategy (ala TV ads contrasting old stodgy greedy white bankers vs. young energetic compassionate black WAMU banker, etc.)
For a traditional (i.e., old, stodgy, greedy white banker
) bank this is the equivalent of a small billboard outside.
That said, I am squarely in the WAMU will drain the FDIC's fund category.
Now that's classy.
Only thing missing is pony rides for the kids.
At least WAMU employees are still allowed multi-color white board markers.
Next cut back will be one-color only.
Nah, next step will be the old party-cups in the chain link fence method.
Looks very successful. Where is the 8 year old kid selling lemonade?
Its the fact that the amount you can put into the CD is not capped & that its for just 13 months that send the signal of desparation. I've got a 4 year 5% CD from one CU just before savings rates cratered and another from my other CU at 5% for 50 months in honor of their 50th anniversary but it was capped at 2,500.00.
I'd like to see their Texas Ratio before concluding they are going under but this is not a good sign, its similar to what Indymac was doing before they imploded and WaMu will cost even more to resolve. FYI they have 3.75% APY on thier online accounts w/ no minimum. The only other two online banks with the same APY both require minimums, 1k for Emigrant's Dollar Savings & 10k for Capital One (which you must also be a member of Costco to get, otherwise its 3.5% APY).
I wonder what WaMu's bankrate safe & soundness rating is right now? Anyone know?
I suspect the branding police did not approve of this piece of communication.
At least they haven't resorted to a "Paycheck Advances Here!" sign!
They could engage this fine organization....
Human Directionals, Sign Spinners, Sign Twirlers, Sign Waver with coroplast signs proven effective outdoor advertising in California, Florida, Arizona and more.
O/T
Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Alitalia SpA said it was insolvent and asked for protection from creditors, a move that will kick start a government-backed plan to sell the state-controlled carrier.
Under the so-called Phoenix plan, Alitalia's unprofitable units will be sold or liquidated and the airline business merged with Air One SpA, its biggest domestic rival
I wonder if they pulled thier planes like Zoom Air did?
Zod,
Yes. Will you please forward WaMu corporate that link? It could be the difference between solvency and insolvency. Thank you for your help in saving the taxpayers billions.
Looks pretty bad for such a big bank. Bankrate.com has the following ratings:
Bankrate.com star rating 1 star
5 stars is best & 1 star is the worst.
A CAEL rating of 5.
CAEL stands for Capitalization, Asset quality, Earnings and Liquidity. Scale is 1-5, 1 is best; 5 is the worst.
Safe & Sound CAEL rating Definition Star rating
1 Superior
2 Sound
3 Performing
4 Below peer group
5 Lowest rated
There is another bank w/ almost the same name out of Utah & they have a CAEL of 1 & a five stars. They must be very annoyed by anyone that would confuse the two!!
In case this hasn't been discussed here.
The developer planning a massive overhaul of the South St. Seaport faces money problems.
General Growth Properties falling stock and large debt have caused the company to shelve projects in Las Vegas and some think it could mean the hotly debated redevelopment of the Seaport wont even get off the ground.
The stock of General Growth Properties fell nearly 50 percent in the past year, and the company has $18.4 billion in debt coming due in the next 3½ years, according to the Wall Street Journal. Earlier this month, Bob Michaels, G.G.P.s president and C.O.O., was forced to sell half his shares in the company because of the dropping stock price, the Journal reported.
i believe some of you are shorting GGP. Seems logical.
Earlier this month, Bob Michaels, G.G.P.s president and C.O.O., was forced to sell half his shares in the company because of the dropping stock price
What a joke of a statement... They weren't forced to it just makes sense.
So much for the captain going down with his ship. Those days are long gone...
..............
Other famous captains who were the first on the life boat include:
The tan-man.
Lori Mozilo defends the indefensible: Her brother!
Lori Mozilo defends the indefensible: Her brother - iTulip.com
..............
Signs like this reveal an ethical problem that bank employees face.
CD marketing is based on inertia. The best customer is a silent customer. Every year at maturity, you want to just roll over their CD to the rate the bank is paying on "old money." But the bank may be paying a higher rate on new CD money. In this case, WaMu seems to be.
Bank employees develop trust with their customers. If Mrs. Jones just lets her CD roll over, she might get 1.5%. But if she mentions to a teller the fact that new money is getting 5.0%, she might get that instead. Bank employees aren't supposed to tell her so. But a lot do.
So, you probably won't see any local corporate ads or printed signs saying WaMu is offering 5.0%. But this is a way bank employees let their customers know to ask for the higher rate. You can get fired in some banks for doing this, even though it's the ethical thing to do. It's not ethical to pay your oldest, best customer a lot less interest than some stranger.
Internet CD marketing works because it appeals to a new hot-money crowd that always shops and moves. Most old branch-base customers don't bother to check the Internet. It's two different worlds. There's very little profit in Internet CD marketing to hot-money. It's just a way to raise cash.
Many Wamu branches have had whiteboards on premises to advertise their latest CD rates for a long time. It looks like some teller brought one outside, that's all.
rich,
I seem to remember an article where a guy sued BoA because they did an auto-roll-over into something that was paying less than 1.0%.
He won as I believe.
..........
As long as you aren't pumping sunshine, selling stock in your CRE company is smart. If Bob Michaels was pushing his stock as hard as Bob Toll and Mozilo, though, he should go to jail.
He may have been facing margin calls. That would explain the "foreced to" comment.
They should have that sign on a nude showgirl (or lad). Nude banking?
ahhh... I see....
Want some straight talk? John McCain has failed the ultimate first test that any presidential candidate must face in picking a running mate: Selecting someone who is unambiguously qualified to be president.
Two years ago, Sarah Palin was mayor of a small village of 8000 people in the remote state of Alaska. McCain's choice of Sarah Palin is both irresponsible, disingenuous, and a massive failure of duty.
Hey Ron, we don't care.
Oh come on Ron, Palin is the key to drilling in Alaska, what more can you say? They think she has the keys to the 50th state and that the rest of us will go along...
Sometimes reality can be pretty forceful.
If you don't believe me, try watching the stock market over the next 6 months.
Lefty,
I care about Ron and don't care about you or your agenda!
Wamu was advertising top rates on brokered CDs until a few months ago. I suspect the regulators put a stop to it. Now in desperation they are going online to maintain deposit levels. Anyone with over $99K in a Wamu CD should pull their money now.
If there is only one person's agenda I care about on this blog, it's Lefty's Liquors.
I pay particular attention to his open hours.
Ron Lloyd -
Astroturfs 'R Us.
Does anyone else think that we might be seeing a rather spectacular Bank Failure Friday today? (Maybe not WM, but others...) A three day weekend gives the FDIC more room to work with.
Palin says McCain "Not Dead Yet". (Monty Python).
Does anyone else think that we might be seeing a rather spectacular Bank Failure Friday today?
Nope, because that's just what THEY will be expecting us to expect.
Lefty:
I care about you. Deeply.
Now, what can you do for me?
tanta said
When you're going after the "impulse depositor" market share off the sidewalk, you're in trouble.
I beg your pardon, I made a lasting relationship with an impulse deposit off the sidewalk ,thank you very much
I usually stay away from politics. (to many STDs)
but get a load of the comments on this post:
McCain's VP Pick Palin Facing Ethics Investigation - Washington Post Investigations
put a fork in this guy he's done....
.............
I care deeply about Lefty's special on 18 year old Macallan...
Nope, because that's just what THEY will be expecting us to expect.
JP | Homepage | 08.29.08 - 3:18 pm | #
BUT, maybe THEY know we will expect them to be expecting us to expect. . .
AND, everyone knows that Australia is populated by criminals and therefore, untrustworthy. . .
No, wait. . .
so which chalice had the poison in it?
............
I haven't gotten warmed up yet!
Nades
suggestion
use protection before voting
btw, you said put a fork in him, he's done, is that kind of like fork you?
Tanta:
OT but I'm a Comcast user.
I'm going to have to stop using the site since your entries are going to drive me over the new Comcast Bandwidth limits.
I'd change, but they've threatened to shift all my cable channels to HGTV.
is that kind of like fork you?
-ck
EdZachry!
......
Why not offer 75%? All the interest is gonna be paid by a third party anyways...
homedad,
If you blow thru 250 giggers then you'd better check up on junior when he's "doing his homework"
......
Nudist writes:
They should have that sign on a nude showgirl (or lad). Nude banking?
no, I think Cox is going to have a problem with naked banking too
(sorry it is the end of an excruciating week)
so which chalice had the poison in it?
............
nades | 08.29.08 - 3:22 pm | #
Regarding this mess, I think most have already taken a sip of one or another chalice.
I hope I worked on my immunity enough.
Nades:
LOL.
Sarah Palin has a mixed record
But seriously, I don't expect a massive failure today or any other Friday until after election day.
It just isn't in Sheila's best career interest. Further, if she shows that she has the ability to postpone election-changing disasters till after elections, then she will land a cushier job in the next administration.
Of course, THEY already know that I know this...
Genevieve ,
Don't talk about Cox and nudity on this blog, I think Tanta has a policy on that. Nonetheless, I agree.
Palin has exposed corruption and maybe committed a little herself,
if i was advising McCain would have suggested x NJ gov Chris Whitman, who served as EPA chief under W then resigned as a matter of principle.
a smart centrist republican
anyone follow this stuff?
The front month 10-yr futures contract is chipping away at the offers above 117 (spread to Dec -1-05+). A close up here should keep positive momentum on track, but barely and with volume stretched thin it is likely to be discounted. Dips are getting bought near 116-17 while below sees support at 116-08.
Nudist,
Is that english?
......
WaMu remains on Conjure Bag's Death Watch List.
Speaking of watch list: Its Friday - D Day for Jefferson County, AL
Will they or wont they go BK.
re: ggp
Yes, it was a margin call that "forced" the sale. I've read that more may come if the stock drops below 23.
Anyone following GGP should consult Reggie Middleton's extensive analysis at boombustblog.com
ades, yes, here is more to study, and then Ill go and leave you, et al in peace:
Agency Mortgage-Bond Yield Spreads Narrow to Lowest in a Month - Bloomberg.com
Yields on agency mortgage securities fell to the lowest in a month relative to U.S. Treasuries after buyers took advantage of some of the widest spreads since 1986.
The difference between yields on Fannie Mae's current-coupon 30-year fixed-rate bonds and 10-year government notes narrowed 10 basis points this week to 197 basis points, data compiled by Bloomberg show, reducing the cost of new home loans. The spread fell from 215 basis points on Aug. 18, the widest since March, when the gap set a 22-year high of 238 basis point.
``Mortgages had gotten extremely cheap, so even if Fannie and Freddie are capital-constrained and might not be as aggressive, other leveraged accounts can put on the same trade that they might have,'' said Gary Cloud, who oversees $500 million in fixed-income securities at Financial Counselors Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri.
``If I'm Paulson, I'm looking at spreads,'' Gary Gordon, an analyst at New York-based Portales Partners LLC, said in an interview. The Treasury may decide to buy the securities itself or take other actions to lower mortgage rates rather than make capital injections to Fannie and Freddie if officials believed spreads were too wide, he said.
Bank of China Ltd., the nation's third-largest bank, said in earnings report that it pared its holdings of mortgage bonds guaranteed by Fannie and Freddie by 22 percent to $5.17 billion between June 30 and Aug. 25.
New Iran rumors...
De Telegraaf in Netherlands is reporting that the US will be attacking Iran within the next few weeks, based on information from their own intelligence service AIVD.
c
De Telegraaf in Netherlands is reporting that the US will be attacking Iran within the next few weeks, based on information from their own intelligence service AIVD.
Link?
Link for the Iran story:
http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/1796098/Aanval_op_Iran_verwacht.html?p=34,1
SPX close rather bearish (as bearish as a bear could have expected today)
close below the resistance of monthly lows mid 1999, and the low of monthly for June
suggests direction 1175
Nudist I am not following futures but waiting for oil to show clear upturn as I am expecting it will retest near the recent highs before the end of the year
No attack. The new powerhouse decision maker has only been on the scene for a few hours.
Palin is tough, and will grow on people big-time.
Four o'clock
tick tock tic tock
By the way, great "impulse depositor" intro!
Either the global financial system as presently exists is collapsing, or I am just reading too much doom and gloom. I dunno.
The Netherlands has an intelligence service? What, they estimate the tulip crop?
Nope, because that's just what THEY will be expecting us to expect.
JP
"NObody expects the Spanish...." aaggg. Never mind.
WaMu's on CB's death watch. This should be good for a 150 point Dow rally.
Iocaine powder, I'd bet my life on it!
I'd say wait till Gusty hits N.O. Take'um both out at the same time.
Got checkbook, will travel....
http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/1796098/Aanval_op_Iran_verwacht.html?p=34,1
I'll ask again, Is that english?
.........
"nades writes:
Telegraaf.nl - De website van wakker Nederland? p=34,1
I'll ask again, Is that english? "
It's not, though they seem to be concerned about something called an Atoombom.
Atoombom is a way to rid your attic of skwerls.
Ross writes:
Atoombom is a way to rid your attic of skwerls.
Ross | 08.29.08 - 4:47 pm | #
I think for that you might want a nootronbom.
Lionel writes:
"nades writes:
Telegraaf.nl - De website van wakker Nederland binnenla...enla...t__.html? p=34,1
Look on the right side of the photo. You'll see an english translation of the headline. Click on that.
Nades,
Treasury will sell $28B 3-month bills, $27B 6-month bills and $20B 12-months. And if that wasn't enough, another $11B via 30-day cash management bills.
cash management bills.
cash management bills.
cash management bills.
Look on the right side of the photo. You'll see an english translation of the headline. Click on that.
Popeye | 08.29.08 - 4:59 pm | #
Honestly, Popeye, I'd prefer to not know what it says.
Lionel:
Well, I read it. It's either extraordinarily important or hype. If it's important, I'm pretty sure it will be in the english press by tomorrow.
When it gets up to 10% I'll be impressed. Just saw that at Liberty Bank in Stockton, MO. Of course, everything is still fine here, so no worries!
Another one down:
FDIC: Press Releases - PR-74-2008 8/29/2008
FAILURE ALERT!!!
Max - You beat me to the punch...UGH!
Here's our failure de jure:
Bank Closing - Integrity Bank, Alpharetta, GA
On August 29, 2008, the FDIC was named as receiver for Integrity Bank, Alpharetta, Georgia by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. All deposits were transferred to the acquiring institution; for further information, please visit the FDIC web site: Integrity Bank (http://www.fdic.gov)
The FDIC does not send unsolicited e-mail. If this publication has reached you in error, or if you no longer wish to receive this service, please unsubscribe.
Do we have any others tonight??
Don't mess with the best, my friend.
Integrity Bank, Alpharetta, Georgia, with $1.1 billion in total assets and $974.0 million in total deposits as of June 30, 2008, was closed today by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was named receiver.
The FDIC Board of Directors today approved the assumption of all the deposits of Integrity Bank by Regions Bank, Birmingham, Alabama. All depositors of Integrity Bank, including those with deposits in excess of the FDIC's insurance limits, will automatically become depositors of Regions Bank for the full amount of their deposits, and they will continue to have uninterrupted access to their deposits. Depositors will continue to be insured with Regions Bank so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance.
JDB- you don't want to mess with max!
We also had a small credit union "merger" today:
1st United Federal Credit Union
I'm in Montana. Montana National Back (I think) had a sign out. 4.1% CD's, 30 days, $500 minimum.
Cheers,
5:16 p.m.
Georgia regulators close Integrity Bank, 10th bank failure
From Marketwatch.
Note to self: upgrade Internet connection so not to be #10 with "breaking" news.
Hello Tanta or fake CR, bank closure.
Another day, another billion.
crispy&cole writes:
JDB- you don't want to mess with max!
I only have another 116 "official" chances to look like a jack-ss:) and post old-data here.
Have a wonderful weekend all!
Note to self: upgrade Internet connection so not to be #10 with "breaking" news.
Oh, you don't want to join the "first news" club. All the hours sitting around waiting for something to happen. Then you get beat by a guy named Crispy that lives in Bakersfield.
My self-esteem is pretty low most days.
LMFAO!!!!
FDIC: Failed Bank Information - Bank Closing Information for Integrity Bank, Alpharetta, GA
Google translation into English of the Dutch newspaper's Iran story here.
Yeah, it's pretty pathetic how quickly this group is on top of the gloomy news!
Truth is, I was about to post the news myself when I noticed my haloscan screen said 15(+) new comment(s) at bottom...saved me from humiliation.
Tehran is suspected of being an atomic bomb
OK, I'm really scared now.
I receive some type of bank ad in the mail almost daily now. In today's mail:
1. Capital One = Get free checking with direct deposit and an extra $200 cash back. $50 minimum to open. Qualifying individuals will receive a $200 credit to their checking account approximately 6-8 weeks after the first payroll/direct deposit is posted to the account. (Doubtful FDIC will honor if bank fails.)
2. Wells Fargo = Complimentary mortgage consultation to review your short and long term financial homeownership goals. Start the buying process with a 'PriorityBuyer' preapproval to know how much home you could finance,help your RE agent show you homes in your price range and demonstrate to sellers that you're a serious buyer.(From my former Chase officer now with Wells Fargo and she knows my home is paid off.)
3. FDIC Federal Credit Union = EZEquity Loans (last time I checked they don't offer this fabulous product in Texas)
4. I'm holding out for a DeLonghi Retro Panini Stainless Steel Grill
DeLonghi Retro Panini Maker - Stainless Steel (CGH800) : Target
Maybe this weekend sometime, the board could discuss the increasing scramble among banks teetering on the brink (or loaded with FNM preferred), for the shrinking FDIC stash?
I know the part line on this-- and propping up the equity markets-- is to delay, delay, delay until after the election. But, the list of parties lining up for government bailouts is growing every stinking day. When will the momentum get going? Any thoughts?
As a shareholder in a small, local bank (smart, I know), I would certainly opt to fail now, rather than later.
Actual translation available directly on the source site { %$#!%$#!@%$#@ google}
Klein Verzet: Attack on Iran imminent?
Hell I'm posting on Verizon Air Card right now. By the time I post there's 100+ new entries.
Cheers,
JDB,
Get in line buster. Doubtful FDIC shares your personal concern.
Yeah, it's pretty pathetic how quickly this group is on top of the gloomy news!
We have tools that help us. You can set up alerts that email you the instant a particular web site changes.
For really bad news, I connected the vibrate on my iPhone to a Tazer. Wakes me out of a dead sleep. Anything to keep me in the top blogger/poster ranks.
Max,
"For really bad news, I connected the vibrate on my iPhone to a Tazer."
LOL
Cheers,
Failed Bank Information
Information for Integrity Bank, Alpharetta, GA
Here we go right on time and in the Atlanta area as predicted. Free pizza for everybody!
FDIC: Failed Bank Information - Bank Closing Information for Integrity Bank, Alpharetta, GA
Max,
You're killing me! It's very un-professional when I break out in laughter in the middle of a sea of cubicles at work!
I heard through the grapevine that Vineyard (VNBC) will be closed today. That's another couple of billion in deposits.
Here we go right on time and in the Atlanta area as predicted. Free pizza for everybody!
I'm thinking a West Coast 2 bagger is in the works. Long weekend and all. Crispy, are you ready for round 2?
What they really ought to do is tether a giant hot air balloon clown to the roof with a sign:
Ridiculous Rates on CD's. We clown you not. Inquire within.
Cheers,
Vineyard is an excellent bet. I doubt we'll see a real major (DSL, WaMu) without leaks first.
FDIC Office of the Ombudsman
Ombudsman Report to the Industry
Message from Cottrell L. Webster, FDIC Ombudsman (worth a read if you have plenty of bongwater)
FDIC: Office of the Ombudsman
Max,
Doubtful. FDIC is stretched to the limit as is. However, we did close multiple banks in 1980s Texas and eventually it will happen this go around but just not yet I think.
I am ready...I feel like I can win the next one!!
Folks should support Boeing machinists' strike...Boeing execs getting paid huge $$.
From AP: "The union covers more than 27,000 Boeing workers in Washington, Oregon and Kansas. The call for a strike comes as Chicago-based Boeing tries to keep up with a backlog of plane orders and avoid more penalties caused by production delays of its next-generation passenger jet."
Boeing has lots of business, workers should participate in some of the upside. I've worked in lower-level mgmt at a steel mill, machine shop and diesel svc business and can tell the difference between goldbrickers and people who want to work. I think the Boeing workers generally fit into the latter category.
But mainly, we need some wage push starting somewhere and a company with big backlog and plenty of defense contracts is a good place to start.
"For really bad news, I connected the vibrate on my iPhone to a Tazer."
Personally I put my phone on vibrate and then put it way down to the left in my front pocket. That way the bad news is "enjoyable".
NEW THREAD ALERT
Everybody read the WSJ article about Integrity I posted in an earlier thread? Perfect timing WSJ!
Georgia Bank Bet Big on One Horse
Georgia Bank Bet Big on One Horse - WSJ.com
FDIC Failed Bank Information
Information for Integrity Bank, Alpharetta, GA
Introduction
Press Release
Acquiring Financial Institution
Question and Answer Sheet
Banking Services
Loan Customers
Possible Claims Against the Failed Institution
Priority of Claims
Dividend Information
Brokered Deposits
FDIC: Failed Bank Information - Bank Closing Information for Integrity Bank, Alpharetta, GA
Everybody read the WSJ article about Integrity I posted in an earlier thread? Perfect timing WSJ!
Dear Sheila,
FFDIC caused the run on integrity.
Metaphorically yours,
JP
Max mumbling in his sleep: "Don't tase me bro!"
JP,
The closing of Integrity was planned in advance with FDIC travel plans already in place as early as 8/22.
Looks like Regions Bank's customers aren't doing too well either.
6 loan mods?
Soleil, Long Foundation tussle over payment - Triangle Business Journal:
Fafdic, can you just upload the pending closure list so we can plan properly?
This may be rehash, but this street.com article talks about the banks with largest construction loan exposure:
BB&T
Regions Bank (see above)
Marshall & Ilsley
SunTrust
KeyBank
National City
Construction Loans Threaten Some Banks | Innovation Update | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com
Uncle Billy Goes to Washington,
I would but the damn thing keeps changing!
FFDIC writes: Here you go Uncle Billy ,http://sacrealstats.blogspot.com/not only did I give you the complete list, I also included a listed of mergers that have closed but not filed with the SEC. But you should keep all the profits for yourself. Just tell them, I moved or something.
rich | 08.29.08 - 3:03 pm | #
rich you are one smart grasshopper
wamu has been advertising these rates all week in the LA Times and Daily News, in colored print. It is tempting.
But, as a conservative, I am ecstatic.
jg,
just curious, but Palin is a creationist, wants it taught in schools...do you support that?
Holy crap.
Thanks for posting this, Tanta....
(I'd vote for Palin if she was matched up with Cleese.)
"Palin is tough, and will grow on people big-time."
She and Putin can have a moose race. Los.
Had lunch w/ a regional VP at BB&T last summer ('07):
Him: "'Branch' never got heavy into that subprime crap, we'll just pick up everyone's market share while they struggle."
I just smiled benignly. What was there to say?
Ross writes:
"The Netherlands has an intelligence service? What, they estimate the tulip crop"
That's actually the smallest part of their brief...mainly, they focus on the illicit trade in "wootenschuhs".
I know some employees that are going to receive squirrels at Thanksgiving.
Homedad
Unless you are downloading movies, 250 gig a month is plenty. We are on Wildblue and limited to 17 gig/month. We only go over the limit when the boy gets a movie, then the speed limit kicks in until the 30 day average drops below 80% and we spend a lot of time cussing him.
It may shock some American imperialists to learn that many small countries have sophisticated intelligence services and a military capable of overcoming numerical disadvantage. Say, Israel.
Should we attack Iran, the price of oil could go up.
Or the world could end.
Might shock some Russian "imperialists", too....G
I know some employees that are going to receive squirrels at Thanksgiving.
-kidbuck
LOL, I remember big turkeys or hams given out at company Christmas parties when I was a kid in the 60's-all the top dogs were there with the supervisors and all the worker bees drinking it up. I remember helping to haul a frozen turkey home and putting it in the fridge to start thawing... I guesstimate mid-December 1967. When I was a night clerk at a hotel while going to college in the late '70s our boss treated all of us to a fabulous dinner, drinks, and dancing at the best place in town for the Holidays.
I suspect now you would get a frozen squirrel gift certificate instead in your email.
Don't know if this applies, but Arizona Bank and Trust is offering 6.01% on checking accounts up to $20K.
Re: Comcast and 250 GB Caps
With the current cable connection I have I can pull in 2 GB per hour from direct downloading... which would give me about 5 days of a dedicated connection before I hit the 250GB limit without adding in other stuff.
My typical p2p speeds are about 1/3rd to 1/4th of that; so saturating the connection would give me 15-20 days. I looked at a metric that was roughly equivalent to my bandwidth logs and found that in the past 2 years I get up to around 200-240 GB per month in the fall when NFL season starts up.
Mostly I consider my downloads quasi-legal (or quasi-illegal). There is plenty of entertainment available where the rightsholders feel it is beneficial to allow. For example take NFL game-trading... which has gone on for years; now with the Internet the demand for NFL has sky-rocketed and I think the NFL views some of the sites as a way to bring NFL to other countries. Additionally there is foreign-language television which we don't get in America, and also television shows on channels I'm paying for.
I figure my cable company is already forcing me to download 24 hours of 200 channels of junk that I really don't want that I should be able to freely download whatever I want without having to pay extra for usage fees. I also figure that copyright laws are overly stringent and think a 15 year window to profit is reasonable like the original intent of copyright law. Currently law is balanced way too far for rights holders against the advancement of society.
Doubt many will see this, but I read this earlier and didn't have a chance to comment.
Seen last night on Full Tilt Poker:
A player whose screen name was..."I_Hate_Wamu"
WAMU in Seattle ended the 5%CD offer yesterday. I think that it was only around for a week.
Back down to the 4.5% cd.
I don't know - this seems to make sense:
Institutional Risk Analytics
Update: Washington Mutual
A member of the big media called yesterday, for example, asking about the fact that Washington Mutual (NYSE:WM) was advertising a 5% rate for a five-year CD. Was not the fact that WM was paying up for money an indication that the bank is in trouble?
No. In fact, between Q1 and Q2 2008, WM's lead bank actually added core deposits and reduced reliance on FHLB advances, as shown in the profile for WM's lead bank in The IRA Bank Monitor (subscribers click here to load the current Q2 report for WM). But defaults are continuing to climb sharply from the 225bp annual run rate in Q1.
More to the point above about the industry in general, WM and other banks are shrinking assets to manage the growing volatility of their balance sheets. This implies an overall contraction in the amount of primary finance available to the US economy and a much sharper correction in the immediate future for borrowers and lenders alike.