Articles by Alex J. Pollock
- Error vs. Fraud Monday, January 4, 2010
- How do groups of intelligent, sophisticated bankers, investors, borrowers, entrepreneurs, and traders find themselves caught together in the recurring bubbles ...
- TARP and Leviathan Monday, November 30, 2009
- In the world after the crisis, how can we move toward reprivatization? Alternately stated, how can we put the enlarged Leviathan on a diet?
- It Wasn’t a Bubble—It Was a Double Bubble Saturday, September 12, 2009
- Many are accustomed to thinking in terms of a 'housing bubble.' But this is only part of the story. In fact, the first decade of the 21st century brought us a ...
- Ten Ways to Do Better in the Next Financial Cycle Tuesday, July 28, 2009
- We can do better next time provided we take these steps.
- The Greenspan Gamble Wednesday, June 3, 2009
- In the wake of the burst tech stock bubble and the shock of the terrorist attacks, the Greenspan Gamble was to purposefully ignite a housing boom. Ex ante, it ...
- Why Not Negative Interest Rates? Thursday, May 21, 2009
- Could we have negative nominal interest rates to combat a potential deflation? The question is debated from time to time, especially recently. It may seem ...
- Is a ‘Systemic Risk Regulator’ Possible? Tuesday, May 12, 2009
- Political reaction to financial crises is usually accompanied by what proves to be greatly overstated expectations about its future effectiveness.
- Did They Really Believe House Prices Could Not Go Down? Thursday, April 9, 2009
- A wise saying is, ‘Many things previously considered impossible nevertheless came to pass.’
- Out With the Old Banks, In With the New Friday, February 20, 2009
- Creating new banks deserves to be a priority, but regulations make it difficult.
- Bank to the Future Monday, February 2, 2009
- With talk of a ‘Bad Bank’ we are back where we were with the original TARP. Here’s how to get it right this time.
- A Theory of Two Big Balance Sheets Friday, January 16, 2009
- Alex Pollock explains the recent period of bubbles, busts, and bailouts—with lessons for improving the financial system.
- Your Guide to the Housing Crisis Monday, May 5, 2008
- With the financial world in turmoil, here’s a handy guide to the bursting of the housing market bubble.
- What Happened to Liquidity? Friday, September 21, 2007
- ALEX J. POLLOCK examines the subprime mortgage bust and explains why “liquidity” is often a misleading metaphor.
- Subprime Bust Expands Monday, August 6, 2007
- To the students of history, the vicious cycle around the bust is all too familiar.
- Send Sarbanes-Oxley to the Court of Investors Friday, May 4, 2007
- A new study sees only one side of the cost/benefit picture.
- To Make Mortgages Fair, Keep Disclosures To a Page Wednesday, May 2, 2007
- A simple summary is the best way to make sure borrowers understand their loans.
- Subprime Time Thursday, March 8, 2007
- Recent trouble in the riskiest part of the mortgage market fits a surprisingly consistent historical pattern.
- The SEC Takes a First Step Toward Reform Friday, December 15, 2006
- The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, particularly the notoriously inefficient implementation of its Section 404, has become a synonym for wasteful expense, bureaucracy and ...