Topic: Wachovia Corporation

Stocks rise; Dow closes above 14,000

The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 14,000 Friday for the first time since October 2007. The Dow Jones industrial average is a stock market index that is traditionally considered a benchmark for how the entire stock market is faring.

Wells Fargo settlement for risky investments: $6.6 million

Wells Fargo settlement doesn't include admitting wrongdoing. Before the Wells Fargo settlement, the Securities and Exchange Commission had charged that its brokerage unit had improperly sold high-risk investments to cities and towns.

The Simple Dollar Banks are not your friends

Financial institutions do  not give you money because they want your dreams to come true. They give you money for their own gain. Here are the best ways to reduce your reliance on these businesses.

Arrest of money launderer 'Dolly' in Colombia is minimal blow to Sinaloa drug cartel

The arrest of the Colombian woman, accused of laundering money for the Mexican drug cartel, will do little to hamper a group that operates in as many as 50 countries, including the US.

Opinion: Guns, drugs, and La Barbie: Why America is responsible for Mexican drug cartels

Drug lords like La Barbie threaten Mexico's security with American-bought firearms, and finance their violent empires with American drug money.

Want to protest bank bailouts? Move your money, a new campaign urges.

A new website, Move Your Money, offers advice on moving accounts from huge banks to local ones.

JPMorgan earnings show 'too big to fail' banks getting bigger

JPMorgan Chase's surging earnings show that many of the biggest US banks are becoming more powerful. What happens if they get in trouble again?

Housing market inches toward stability

But unsold homes remain a big challenge for the US economy.

One goal of Obama's 'sweeping overhaul': prevent another AIG

The plan seeks to contain the risk of large-firm failure. It would also give regulators alternatives to costly AIG-style bailouts.

A shift in home economics

Family finances get healthier as people save more and spend less. But will that help the recovery?

Fed chief calls for deficit control. Why now?

Bernanke warned Wednesday that federal debt as a share of GDP is approaching highest levels since the early 1950s, after the massive borrowing of World War II.

Are investors in the US and abroad losing faith in the dollar?

Loss of US jobs is slowing, but hasn't stopped

"There is light at the end of the tunnel, and it is getting brighter," says one economist.

Silver lining of shrinking economy: consumer spending up

Economic activity in the US plunged 6.1 percent in the first quarter of this year, but free-fall in consumer spending stopped.

Consumers' gloom subsides, but enough to lift the economy?

Shoppers' confidence is higher so far this month. Other data deliver a mixed message as to whether the economy has hit bottom yet.

Troubled economy? Tax credits to the rescue.

As Americans file their taxes Wednesday, many are getting a financial boost from recent tax changes that give consumers money to pay debts and buy cars.

Retail sales flag, as rising job losses make consumers wary

Spending in March slowed 1.1 percent, dashing hopes that a more confident US public would loosen household purse strings.

10 ways the new economy will look different

From the rise of the tightwad to the decline of the Sun Belt, American values and industries will be reinvented as the nation comes out of the worst recession since the 1930s.

US car sales plunge in March

But automakers are encouraged by a recent increase in showroom traffic.

First sign of stimulus? Probably your paycheck.

Tax cuts for workers will show up by May or June – but will total only about $13 a week.

Where oh where is that peach pie recipe?

When the pile of recipes is out of control, it's time to organize it. Here's how.

Affordable housing hits a wall in time of rising need

New construction has stalled across the US, as the faltering economy chokes off a key source of funding.

Some relief may be in sight for troubled US mortgages

As more than 5 million Americans fall behind on mortgages, banks signal a new willingness to reduce the principal.

Will stimulus work fast enough?

Major job cuts announced this week add urgency to the bill as it nears a House vote.

New refinance boomlet may lift economy, a bit

Low mortgage rates act as a gentle spur, but they're not enough to revive the housing market.