Bank finance articles and tips

For many of us, the holiday season can not be the most joyful time of year, but instead the most stressful. A mile-long shopping list can put strain on both our personal time and our wallets. But gift giving really doesn't have to be as stressful as we make it out to be. Some basic gift giving etiquette can help to ease the stress and make the holidays easier for you this year.

One of the biggest misconceptions about holiday gift giving is that if someone gives you a gift, you must reciprocate. This can be an extremely awkward situation if someone unexpectedly gives you a wrapped box, and you have nothing for him or her. Don't worry, it is really okay if you have been surprised by someone's gesture. Just make sure to politely thank the person, and then send a hand written thank you card a couple days later. Don't say something to the effect of "I'll bring my gift for you tomorrow" because this is not only a transparent excuse, but it also makes it sound as though you are focusing on trumping the gift you have received. As long as you express your gratitude appropriately, it is okay for you to not reciprocate....

The Obama Administration has gone to extraordinary measures to try and prop up the US housing market and the US economy. Time and money are short these days, and the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Edward Demarco has virtually eliminated the possibility of passing the buck to the taxpayer.

This spells doom and gloom for a Presidential Administration that has, since 2008, poured billions of dollars into a beleaguered economy and housing industry. Federal housing programs designed to help troubled borrowers amend their current mortgages have only caused banks to drag their feet. In effect, there seems to be no systemic approach that can effectively restructure the US housing market and meet the demands of all the players involved-regulators, banks, borrowers, and taxpayers.