Fed Slashes Rates
In an effort to boost market liquidity, the Federal Reserve lowered the discount rate to 3.25 percent from 3.5 percent and launched a new lending program through which money will be moved from securities dealers to the securitization markets.
The effort — the latest attempt to stabilize prices of bonds backed by residential loans as delinquencies continue to escalate and home prices tumble — will provide financing for JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s acquisition of Bear Stearns Cos. for approximately $270 million, or about $2 per share.
Meanwhile, the central bank could reduce the interest rate affecting consumers and businesses to 2 percent at its March 18 meeting, marking a decline of a full percentage point.
Source: Dallas Morning News (03/17/08)
The effort — the latest attempt to stabilize prices of bonds backed by residential loans as delinquencies continue to escalate and home prices tumble — will provide financing for JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s acquisition of Bear Stearns Cos. for approximately $270 million, or about $2 per share.
Meanwhile, the central bank could reduce the interest rate affecting consumers and businesses to 2 percent at its March 18 meeting, marking a decline of a full percentage point.
Source: Dallas Morning News (03/17/08)