Jeff For Banks

AUGUST 22, 2010

'My wife and I are in the throes of refinancing our mortgage. The impetus was trading down from a 5.875% rate to 4.375%. This week, we received our loan application package, that includes the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) of mortgage costs, on the lesser-known form HUD-GFE. Background information: Mortgage rates are at all-time lows due to continued economic weakness, Federal Reserve policy keeping short-term Fed Funds rates near zero, the Fed''s policy of buying government bonds in the open market

Policies 64

Policies Exercises US System 64

Jeff For Banks

AUGUST 12, 2010

'What’s Bothering the Markets? There used to be an old adage in the stock market: “sell in May and go away.” This year, it certainly seems to be the case. Stock markets did quite well this year into April then began to sell off relentlessly in May; in the meantime, bond markets moved higher, especially Treasuries, as investors sought the safety of bonds.

Taxes 60

Taxes Marketing Risk Management Groups 60

Jeff For Banks

AUGUST 1, 2010

'Have you ever driven on a highway by yourself and forget, if even momentarily, the highway you were on and where you were going? I hope most of you answered yes or I have to make a doctor''s appointment. The same sensation you feel for that split second while driving is, at times, what I feel in some strategy sessions I am priveledged to attend. A common discussion in these strategy sessions is ''how do we grow''?

America 60

America Charlotte Strategy Lending 60