Another Financial Crisis Could Be Coming

Published 2018-06-20
Michael Greenberger says unregulated credit default swaps could take down the economy—and taxpayers—again.

In 2008 unregulated credit default swaps brought the economy to its knees. Ten years later, they may poised to do so again—unless policymakers reign in the big banks.

That’s the call to arms of University of Maryland Law Professor Michael Greenberger, whose new INET Working Paper details how the largest American banks have quietly parked swaps oversees, thus evading the regulations designed to prevent another crisis.

Professor Greenberger and INET President Rob Johmson talk about the paper, including how swaps work, the so-called “moral hazard” of banks knowing they can be bailed out by taxpayers, and how politicians in Washington and state capitals can ensure that risky swaps never again take down the economy. As Greenberger argues, despite the rosy picture of the economy painted by politicians and the media, the lurking danger of unregulated swaps is very much real.

All Comments (21)
  • Thank you for helping me understand the destructive nature of default swaps. You gave me another weapon to use against the financially illiterate who support the current economic system. The people who hear the word "growth" in reference to the economy and immediately conjure images of a prosperous well managed nation. The people who think billionaires with "business experience" are outsiders and worthy of their vote.
  • I feel so patriotic and privileged to know that I will help the Banks and Wall St out, when they come crying for bail out money. Don't you....?
  • @rogerdodger8415
    I'm stocking up on beer and hot dogs. If the end comes, the whole neighborhood is coming to my house.
  • @ibenzawla
    In other words its a rigged system.
  • This interview is AMAZING. Also, it gives the best explanation of Credit Default Swaps I've heard. If everyone here just asked some person they know who only listens to MSM to listen to just one Independent media interview this one is the one.
  • @divizionx
    the only time the american dream seems real is when im sleeping.
  • @deb8tn
    " the banks own this place".
  • @myemailingid
    The first and only channel focusing future issues....!! much needed.
  • @pauldusa
    The Whole System, is Disgusting,, it turns my stomach, even thinking about it, But a good Video
  • @WilliamFang173
    In sum, an insurance policy requires the purchaser to own the risk, while a CDS does not.
  • @TheGuy123321
    I THOUGHT THAT WAS RAY DALIO IN THE THUMBNAIL LOL
  • @aitheignis
    Listen to this in 2022. With the raising rate, we might actually see this play out for real.
  • @kenrose1154
    And this time let's do a referendum on it like Iceland did
  • @gjwaters
    interesting study of modern economics. money is a quantitative measurement of qualitative values. there is a white noise or diffusion of energy not accurately quantified.
  • @klam77
    speaking of buybacks: how come co's have excess money? ON the one hand there's no competition, on the other there's no growth and no investment required. "FREE MARKETS" would dictate that if there's no growth, the revenues should come down! the game is RIGGED. Free money for the rich. FUrther: buybacks are needed in MORE VOLUME to give the same "kick" given lowered tax rates; combine this with higher interest rates. But Andrew Fastow saw no jail time, so shhhhh......