the link to publisher here. author: Nomi Prins, formerly Managing Director of Goldman

Also author interview by Vermont senator Bernie Sanders (I) at After Words (C-Span). There is a video link at the right. This book reminds something I read from Ruth’s Chris (Nasdaq:RUTH) 2008 annual report, Risk factors, bullet 5 (quoted below):

Turmoil in the financial services industry, volatility in securities trading markets and general economic downturns may adversely affect our ability to access the credit and capital markets to finance a portion of our working capital requirements and support our liquidity needs.

The Company has exposure to many different financial institutions and counterparties including under its existing senior credit facility and other credit and financing arrangements, including interest rate swaps. Many of these transactions expose the Company to credit risk in the event that any of its lenders or counterparties are unable to honor its commitments or otherwise defaults under a financing agreement. Credit and capital markets have recently experienced a great deal of turmoil, and certain leading financial institutions have either declared bankruptcy or have shown significant deterioration in their financial stability. If any of these counterparties declares bankruptcy and/or becomes insolvent, they may not be able to perform under their contracts with the Company, which could leave the Company with reduced or no senior credit facility or unhedged against changes in interest rates. The constriction of the credit markets, if not alleviated, could increase the Company’s cost of borrowing or limit its ability to obtain additional financing on terms it finds acceptable. Any significant limitations on its ability to access the financing provided under our existing credit facility or under any of the Company’s other credit or financing arrangements could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations.

My comments: my head starts spinning when I read this. I think many companies (big or small, as long as they need Wall Street aka banks to raise the money), and individual consumers (rich or poor, as long as they borrow from banks), in some way let the banks determine their fate when they sign the borrowing agreements.

A Colossal Failure of Common Sense
lawrence McDonald site:online.wsj.com

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574342350506568022.html

also c-span book TV

I don’t necessarily agree with everything the author said, nonetheless interesting stuff.