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Economic data delays US rate boost

  Bloomberg The dollar slumped against its major peers after disappointing U.S. economic data last week cut the chance of a September interest-rate increase to about one in three. A gauge of the greenback retreated after two weeks of gains. Friday’s below-forecast payrolls data, which came on the heels of a surprise manufacturing slowdown, helped lower the prospect of a ...

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A ‘slush fund’ by any other name

  Because truth in labelling laws are among the laws from which Washington feels exempt, the titles of congressional legislation often take liberties with the facts (e.g., the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). The Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act, however, precisely names the ailment for which it is the remedy. The Justice Department has negotiated “bank settlement agreements” whereby ...

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Banking poses a shrinking risk to taxpayers

There is some good news in bank land. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. just released its quarterly banking profile update (executive summary), and it is filled with signs of improvements in the state of the industry. Just some highlights: Net operating revenue is rising, as is loan growth and revenue. Quarterly net income was the highest since the financial crisis ...

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