Karen Weise

The Year in Wall Street Investigations

Dec. 27, 2010, 11:30 a.m.

This past year prosecutors, regulators, Congress and journalists have spent the year uncovering the financial shenanigans that brought the market to its knees. It’s been marked by a few blockbuster settlements and more revealing investigations as well as by some noticeable inaction in the reckoning.

States Sue Bank of America: Bank Employees Dish, and Other Highlights

Dec. 20, 2010, 1:31 p.m.

On Friday, Arizona and Nevada both filed suit against Bank of America, saying it deceived homeowners trying to avoid foreclosures.

Overview of the Government’s Programs to Reduce Principal on Underwater Mortgages

Dec. 17, 2010, 9:44 a.m.

Fannie and Freddie’s Regulator Opposes Reducing Mortgages for Struggling Homeowners

Dec. 17, 2010, 9:44 a.m.

The regulator for the government-controlled mortgage giants won’t let them trim loans for homeowners who owe more than their home is worth.

Survey Finds Banks Still Foreclose on Homeowners Seeking Loan Mods

Dec. 16, 2010, 3:17 p.m.

A new survey say homeowners in the government’s loan modification program are still being foreclosed on, despite it being against the rules.

Budget Cuts, Lobbying Challenge SEC’s Oversight

Dec. 15, 2010, 1:17 p.m.

Oversight Panel Slams Loan Modification Program, but Highlights an Opportunity

Dec. 14, 2010, 10:53 a.m.

Weak Laws and Lenient Enforcement Plague Missouri’s Oversight of Dangerous Doctors

Dec. 13, 2010, 11:36 a.m.

Interactive: Which Banks Got Emergency Loans from the Fed During the Financial Meltdown?

Dec. 1, 2010, 7:14 p.m.

Wednesday the Federal Reserve released data on more than 21,000 loans and other deals it made through a dozen emergency programs created during the financial crisis. We’ve combined the Fed’s three programs that loaned directly to banks and other financial firms with the goal of getting them to start lending again.

One ‘Nightmare’ Mortgage: Problems From Origination Through Foreclosure

Nov. 22, 2010, 12:22 p.m.

A look at one case that shows common indicators of fraud and the challenges of fighting it.

New York State Foreclosure Mediation Shows Glimmers of Hope in Helping Homeowners

Nov. 19, 2010, 12:48 p.m.

New York is requiring banks to sit down with homeowners before foreclosing. And it’s slowly starting to pay off.

BofA Blames Investors for Lack of Loan Modifications, But Evidence Points Elsewhere

Nov. 16, 2010, 2:55 p.m.

Who’s on Treasury Sec. Geithner’s Calendar? Search for Yourself

Nov. 5, 2010, 10:53 a.m.

A searchable, easy-to-browse look at the Treasury Secretary’s calendar during the height of financial reform.

Despite Praise From Banks, Treasury, In-House Loan Mods Provide Less Help to Homeowners

Nov. 4, 2010, 11:24 a.m.

Banks’ own modifications typically reduce monthly payments by half as much as those made in the government program, making homeowners twice as likely to fall behind again after a modification.

The Government’s Incredible Shrinking Mortgage Mod Program

Oct. 27, 2010, 11:10 a.m.

The U.S. government’s effort to help struggling homeowners from defaulting on their mortgages is approaching a standstill, and the number of homeowners in ongoing mortgage modifications could start shrinking.

Wells Fargo Case Belies Claim It Always Verifies Mortgage Paperwork

Oct. 22, 2010, 11:06 a.m.

Wells Fargo says it has avoided much of the foreclosure paperwork problem because employees verify every mortgage document they sign, but a bankruptcy case shows that’s not always the case.

Mortgage Investors Join Outcry Against Banks

Oct. 18, 2010, 12:18 p.m.

The investors who own mortgages are starting to threaten legal action over the way banks and mortgage servicers operate, saying the servicers are looking out for themselves, not their clients.

Did the White House Meet its Stimulus Goal?

Oct. 1, 2010, 12:06 p.m.

The White House says it met its goal of spending 70 percent of the $787 billion stimulus package, but final numbers aren’t in and five agencies have spent less than a quarter of their funds.

The Bailout Yearbook: The Stars and the Slackers

Sept. 30, 2010, 10:55 a.m.

With the bailout set to expire this weekend, here are the recipients that have shined—and here are the ones that have flopped.