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Friday, April 27, 2012

Monetary

News                                                                                                                             
Bloomberg | Bank of Japan Expands Stimulus as Economy Set to Slow
The Bank of Japan (8301) expanded its plan for government-bond purchases by 10 trillion yen ($124 billion) after the world’s third-largest economy showed signs of slowing and lawmakers pressed for more aggressive steps.

Econ Comments & Analysis                                                                                            
WSJ | Money-Market Funds Still Need Reform
In the fall of 2008, the world learned what financial stability is, through its absence. Over a few short weeks, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac entered federal conservatorship, Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy, Merrill Lynch was purchased by Bank of America, and AIG received an $85 billion loan from the Federal Reserve to continue operating.
Heritage Foundation | Volcker Rule May Make the Financial and Banking System Riskier
By now, it should be clear even to casual observers that the Volcker Rule, which was intended to limit the “risky” activities of banks by banning them from certain types of transactions, will be nearly impossible to implement without severe unintended damage to the U.S. financial system and many other types of businesses both here in the U.S. and overseas.