“Your name will never be associated with the answers you provide.”

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke wants to discover key facts about the personal finances of thousands of Americans, and he is promising that the information will be held in strict confidence.

The Fed sent out letters this week from Bernanke to approximately 10,000 families living in 79 cities and towns around the country asking them to participate in the central bank’s latest ‘Survey of Consumer Finances.’

The survey, which has been done once every three years since 1983, provides detailed information for the central bank and other economic researchers into household finances. Read more

Original post by The Associated Press

“I hope this is the last batch of hedging position they have, and once that clears out, I think the stock will do fine.”

Toronto stocks were poised to bounce back from a two-day retreat on Wednesday, buoyed by a flurry of strong corporate results, including Rogers Communications Inc.’s jump in profits. via Sympatico Finance

Original post by Sympatico Finance

“I am convinced that under the leadership of Brady Dougan, the new chief executive, Credit Suisse will continue to grow and strengthen its profitability”

Credit Suisse Group said Wednesday that first-quarter net profit rose 5 percent thanks to excellent markets for trading stocks and bonds and more commissions from wealthy clients. via BusinessWeek

Original post by BusinessWeek

“The industry was heading to Niagara Falls.”

Spurred by the collapse of the subprime mortgage market, the leading bond rating agencies are beginning to crack down on what they see as risky lending practices in commercial real estate. via New York Times

Original post by New York Times

Dow Jones & Co. said Bancroft family members who control more than 50 percent of the company’s voting shares will reject a $5 billion takeover bid by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. via Bloomberg.com

Original post by Bloomberg.com