Publications
Publications
- April 2009 (Revised June 2010)
- HBS Case Collection
U.S. Subprime Mortgage Crisis: Policy Reactions (B)
By: Laura Alfaro and Renee Kim
Abstract
In March 2009, the U.S. economy was in a severe recession not seen since the Great Depression after the subprime mortgage crisis had spiraled out of control. The situation had dramatically changed in one year since the Federal Reserve Board had helped to bailout investment bank Bear Stearns. Deflation, not inflation, had become a top concern. Interest rates were near zero percent. Five million jobs had been lost. The new Barack Obama administration had pushed forward with a $787 billion stimulus package, coupled with various programs to address the frozen credit markets and depressed investors' confidence. Yet the burning question in every policymaker's mind was-how effective would the various plans work to revive the U.S. economy?
Keywords
Financial Crisis; Central Banking; Mortgages; Globalized Economies and Regions; Policy; United States
Citation
Alfaro, Laura, and Renee Kim. "U.S. Subprime Mortgage Crisis: Policy Reactions (B)." Harvard Business School Case 709-045, April 2009. (Revised June 2010.)
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