I would agree Bob. I think the banking regulators have been looking the other way for some time.

However note that Obama announced curbs on risky bank trading "on their own account" last week - a sign that some big banks are again playing around with other folks money under the assumption they are "Too Big To Fail" and if they lose on some of these "investments" the government (= taxpayer = you and I) will bail them out yet again....

Yet Obama was criticized because the stock markets dropped a bit on the notice that some of the market's funny money was going to have to sit by the wayside in banks for loans or capital backing deposits rather than playing roulette.

It seems we want regulation - but not if it has any short term negative effects....  note the banks that have repayed TARP funds, not because of some duty or obligation or thankfulness, but because they do not want the government regulations limiting their executive "bonuses" for their "outstanding performances"....gag.

Obviously jmho.

Jim at Dawn