Author Archives: Jason Kelly

The House passed the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights, and it’s being presented as a hallelujah moment for America’s burdened consumer. It isn’t, for two reasons. First, the ink isn’t even dry, and already there’s a clear way for banks to get around it. Second, it was never card policies that put people in trouble […]

It’s good to be back! Let’s get right to it, one day earlier than promised. Jane wrote: “You were pretty tough on the Bush administration, so I guess you’re going to gush with everybody else about the Obama administration’s first 100 days?” No. The reason I was tough on the Bush administration had nothing to […]

I’m working toward a publishing deadline and won’t be posting free articles again until May. Kelly Letter activity continues as normal. See you next month! Kind regards,

As predicted here, mortgage rates just keep falling. Some said 5% was impossible, then 4%, now we’re gunning for 3% and I’m finally hearing talk of a ZIRP for mortgages. I haven’t refinanced yet because the trend is still down. From WSJ.com: Building giant Lennar just started offering a 3.625% 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, putting even […]

This is the week to see if the FASB gives the financial sector the shot in the arm needed to tack on another 20% of gains in an eye blink. From today’s Bloomberg: Four days after U.S. lawmakers berated Financial Accounting Standards Board Chairman Robert Herz and threatened to take rulemaking out of his hands, […]