Robert Berner

Senior Research Analyst

Wells Fargo Defends SILO Deals

The IRS alleges that Wells Fargo's public infrastructure SILO deals are merely a tax dodge, but the bank says they are legitimate investments

October 15, 2009

October 15, 2009

Wells Fargo Defends SILO Deals

The IRS alleges that Wells Fargo's public infrastructure SILO deals are merely a tax dodge, but the bank says they are legitimate investments

April 30, 2009

April 30, 2009

About That New, "Friendly" Consumer Contract

Citibank, AT&T Wireless, ING Direct, and others are pushing simpler terms and lower rates. Consumers should keep reading the fine print

About That New, "Friendly" Consumer Contract

February 12, 2009

February 12, 2009

How Banks Are Worsening the Foreclosure Crisis

How the banking industry is undermining efforts to keep people in their houses

December 2, 2008

December 2, 2008

Senator Urges FHA Vigilance Against Mortgage Fraud

A BW story on former subprime lenders making FHA-backed loans prompts Missouri Senator Kit Bond to call for greater anti-fraud efforts

November 20, 2008

November 20, 2008

Hospitals X-Ray Patient Credit Scores

More and more are buying credit data to see if the sick can afford treatment

Insurers

November 20, 2008

November 20, 2008

'Help' Can Be Costly

Beware up-front, nonrefundable fees of loan-modification pros

November 19, 2008

November 19, 2008

FHA-Backed Loans: The New Subprime

The same people whose reckless practices triggered the global financial crisis are onto a similar scheme that could cost taxpayers tons more

Cover

October 9, 2008

October 9, 2008

They Warned Us About the Mortgage Crisis

State whistleblowers tried to curtail greedy lendingand were thwarted by the Bush Administration and the financial industry

Subprime

June 5, 2008

June 5, 2008

Banks vs. Consumers (Guess Who Wins)

The business of resolving credit-card disputes is booming. But critics say the dominant firm favors creditors that are trying to collect from unsophisticated debtors

Arbitration

February 29, 2008

February 29, 2008

SRAM: A Bike Parts Tour de Force

By all rights, Stan Day should have failed. Yet here he is, taking on the two longtime leaders in bicycle components, with a shot at breaking away

February 7, 2008

February 7, 2008

A Credit Card You Want to Toss

Bank of America abruptly notified cardholders in good standing their rates would skyrocket if they didn't opt out fast. Is BofA greedy or needy?

Bom Cut

November 21, 2007

November 21, 2007

Fresh Pain for the Uninsured

As doctors and hospitals turn to GE, Citigroup, and smaller rivals to finance patient care, the sick pay much more

November 1, 2007

November 1, 2007

Whose Second Chance?

How discharged debts can be revived

November 1, 2007

November 1, 2007

Prisoners of Debt

A fresh start with bankruptcy? Big lenders keep squeezing money out of consumers whose debts were canceled by the courts

Debt

September 14, 2007

September 14, 2007

Target's Credit-Card Sale: Bad Timing?

The big-box retailer's credit-card biz has been a profit machine, but a deterioration in credit quality could greatly weaken a sale price

February 14, 2007

February 14, 2007

Caremark-CVS Deal Under Scrutiny

Shareholders are given more time to consider the merger in light of new information about the terms of the agreement

January 27, 2007

January 27, 2007

Caremark Charged with Breach of Duty

Investors allege that Caremark executives agreed to a low-ball bid in exchange for indemnification against options-backdating charges

January 25, 2007

January 25, 2007

Behind Wal-Mart's Executive Shuffle

The retailing giant is moving John Fleming from the top marketing post to merchandising to heal the rift between the two divisions

January 18, 2007

January 18, 2007

Chanel's American In Paris

The design house's new global CEO takes aim at the next generation of luxury buyers

September 22, 2006

September 22, 2006

Wal-Mart's Generics Hit Pharma Stocks

The retailer's move to offer many generics for $4 a prescription took a bite out of pharmaceutical stocks. And it's another salve for Wal-Mart's PR