Bernanke Warns Community Banks on Loans - 2006-03-08
The fast growth in commercial real-estate loans made by community banks bears monitoring, even as these mostly smaller, local banks are in good overall financial health, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned Wednesday. He suggested that the growth of commercial real-estate loans increases the possibility that risk-management practices in community banks may not have maintained pace with growing concentrations.
Read the full story at Houston Chronicle

U.S. economy floats on sea of petrodollars - 2006-03-08
Congressional attempts to prevent an Arab port company from purchasing the lease on U.S. terminal operations are putting at risk a Middle Eastern lifeline for the U.S. economy, analysts say. Revenue to Middle Eastern oil exporters has burgeoned and sent the U.S. oil deficit exploding to $229 billion last year. Economists say the wide gap can be supported because the petroleum dollars are recycled back into U.S. markets.
Read the full story at World Peace Herald