Do you remember the stress tests for the banking system in the US? They were the subject of negotiations by the banks with regards to the outcomes, making them remarkably relaxed stress tests. There was an assumption in the stress tests for an unemployment rate of 8.9% (a curiously precise figure), and 10.3% in 2010. The unemployment rate had already reached 9.8% in September, with expectations of further rises. In other words, the worse case scenario was not indeed the worse case scenario.
Despite this, it appears that business as usual is continuing in the world of banking. When we consider that the stress tests were heavily negotiated and the worse case scenarios are being broken, this is a puzzle.
The real economy is, as you would expect, having an impact upon the banks. Bank of America, the second largest lender against credit cards is reporting massive losses on their lending, and bank failures continue at a shocking pace (106 so far this year). And then there is the exploding numbers of mortgage foreclosures, including prime loans, such that foreclosure counsellors are being deluged with requests for assistance. Commercial real estate loans in default have now reached about 6% of all loans.
LONG READ
'The economy that is fake anyway ...' Bill Hicks RIP
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