Technical Advisory Service for Attorneys
(800) 523-2319

Knowledge Center » Articles

Financial/Economic

A Primer on Subprime Mortgage Loans

TASA ID: 53994167

There are other factors that may cause a borrower to fall into the subprime category. For example, some borrowers might be classified as subprime despite having an excellent credit history because they choose not to provide the lender with the opportunity to verify their income or assets stated in the loan application process. Loans of this type are called "stated income" loans or "stated asset" (SISA) loans or "no income-no asset" (NINA) loans.  Due to a subprime lender's perceived higher risk in making these types of loans, the borrower is considered a subprime credit. more »

The Current Financial Crisis

TASA ID: 8034091196

The United States has been in the midst of a financial crisis since mid-2006 that resulted from residential real estate foreclosures.  The foreclosures caused severe pressures in subprime mortgage markets and ultimately in global money markets.  As a result of stricter accounting standards and downgrades by credit rating agencies, various complex mortgage backed financial instruments had to written down on financial institution balance sheets.  As housing prices declined, financial institutions worldwide faced severe losses that threatened their survival.  By September 2008, severe credit tightening was becoming evident.  In response to these events, Congress passed legislation authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to spend up to $700 billion to purchase troubled financial assets.   more »

Financial Commentary

TASA ID: 53994167

What we are seeing now is the product of well-intentioned measures designed to (1) extend homeownership to those that previously could never realistically hope to own a home, and (2) earn a profit from a segment of the population that previously did not participate in the mortgage and homeownership markets.  The goal of extending homeownership was admirable, but in many cases, the means of achieving it spiraled out of control. more »

Financial Crisis Partly Caused by Reckless Mortgage Lending

TASA ID: 1706321808

The financial crisis in the financial markets in the United States has been caused by a number of factors.  This presentation will be limited to a discussion of the reckless mortgage lending that has been one of the primary causes of this financial crisis with the intent to review possible litigation opportunities. more »

How Can Investors Recover Money Lost by a Fraudulent Money Manager?

TASA ID: 17781283

The news of the massive fraud perpetrated by Bernie Madoff has created shockwaves around the financial world. Unfortunately, even though the Madoff case is the most glaring for its size, other frauds have emerged since the recent decline in stock prices. more »

The Mortgage-Backed Securities Meltdown: Full Employment for Lawyers

TASA ID: 755618147

Whatever the impact on the rest of America, the financial meltdown of 2008 will guarantee full employment for the legal profession for a long, long time. more »

Interest Rate Swaps--A Primer

TASA ID: 17781283

Interest rate swaps are the most commonly traded derivatives. The market for swaps is huge, estimated in the hundreds of trillions of dollars worldwide more »

What You Can Do to Avoid Liability Claims

TASA ID: 48294196

Lender liability is a catch-all phrase used to describe several theories under which a lender can be sued for doing or not doing something in connection with a loan or loan commitment.  Allegations can involve violations of an implied or contractual fiduciary duty to a borrower or to its creditors or shareholders. more »

A Banker's Guide to Effectively Managing and Marketing Foreclosed Real Estate Properties

TASA ID: 53994167

When a bank's level of non-performing loans and foreclosed assets increases to the point that the bank's costs and expenses exceed its revenues, the resulting deficit erodes the bank's net worth and reduces stockholders' equity.  Depending upon the particular bank's level of net worth, a serious problem will result at some point in time unless steps are taken to mitigate the problems.  This article deals with the administration of real estate properties that have already been foreclosed.  more »

The Facts on the FACTA Clarification Act and the Potential for Compliance Lawsuits

TASA ID: 53994167

Congress passed The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act ("FACTA" or the "Act"), and it was signed into law on December 4, 2003.  FACTA became fully effective on December 4, 2006.  The purpose of FACTA is to reduce the amount of personal confidential financial information that is generated and thereby reduce the incidence of identity, theft, credit card fraud, and debit card fraud... more »

A Primer on the Valuation of Intellectual Property, Intellectual Capital, and Intangible Assets

TASA ID: 53994167

The most common types of Intellectual Property, Intellectual Capital, and Intangible Assets that need valuation are: Patents, Software, Trademarks... more »

The Due Diligence Mess

TASA ID: 1140551791

Indictments for Ponzi schemes and investor fraud have been increasing everyday.  While pundits, Congress and financial experts pinpoint problems with regulatory agencies such as the SEC, the real problem centers on what I call the "Due Diligence Mess," the way in which this process is handled. more »

An Overview of the Current Status of the Recession

TASA ID: 8027395217

Much has been both written and spoken about the current status of the nation's economy, whether it is still in a recession. With that in mind, we put together this brief summary of who defines a recession, the definition of a recession and how its timing is determined. more »

New to the TASA
     Knowledge Center

EPA's Tools for Settling Civil Penalty Cases
Learn more »

Human Injury from a Food Product
Learn more »

Legal Translation - Why Faster Isn't Always Better 
Learn more »