Banking, finance, and taxes

Former Fed Official Call Bear Stearns Deal "the worst policy mistake in a generation"

Why hold back feelings? Vincent Reinhart, former head of monetary affairs at the Federal Reserve called the deal to save Bear Strearns (BCS) by backing a sale to JP Morgan (JPM) was "the worst policy mistake in a generation," according to The Wall Street Journal.

He argued that the Fed had several other options such as taking a "tougher line" with J. P. Morgan; cultivating other suitors; selectively removing certain assets from Bear’s portfolio; or accelerating implementation of the Fed’s new offer to temporarily swap U.S. Treasury from its portfolio for Bear’s less liquid assets, the paper reported.

Douglas A. McIntyre

ALERT: Take This Retirement Quiz Now  (Sponsored)

Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Take the retirement quiz right here.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.