Is there really something wrong with the financial and banking system today? Going into recession, it is apparent that most countries have been exhausting all means to be able to try and cope up with the impending crisis. However, the fact remains, is the financial system really to blame?

Perhaps it would be best to take them one by one. Each nation has its own policy as far as managing finances and funds of their respective economies. However, though one system may change from the others, it is obvious that general cooperation and agreements can be the only thing that can save the world from potent recession and economic breakdown. So who is to blame?

Trade barriers have been up in most countries and for the next 12 months at the least, these will be torn down. The decision is aimed at strengthening the weakening economy and hopefully it can help the global crisis where financial bailout plans and interest rate slashes have obviously done nothing to change the whole thing.

Will the trade barriers agreed upon by the meeting at the G20 summit of the world leaders make a difference? Keep your fingers crossed. After this, a lot of other issues have to be tackled since a lot are still critically unsolved.

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Unlike most companies who are sulking their sorrows of a potent drop in the economy by 2009, American Express seems to have lined up its own share of contingency measures to keep its head above water. It is no secret that even the 4th U.S. credit issuer is having its own share of problems addressing the weakening economy and despite disturbing business scenarios in 2009, they are ready for it.

Of course, AmEx is not expected to drop down just like that. They have made the proper adjustments and have reportedly sought $3.5 billion from the U.S. government’s $700 billion financial services rescue fund, at an attractive rate of 5 percent on preferred stock with warrants, the publication said.

So while other companies are trying to figure out how they can make it through the year, here is a company looking ahead despite experiencing its shares fall 3.8 percent to close at $19.99 on Friday. They were trading at $51.90 at the beginning of the year.

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Technorati Tags: contingency_measures, business_scenarios, credit_issuer, proper_adjustments, attractive_rate, head_above_water, preferred_stock, american_express, amex, warrants, financial_services, economy

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The ante for the needed rehabilitation fund has been raised to $700 billion dollars by the U.S. Treasury. However, there is now a change in plans. Unlike before, troubled assets will not be taken out of the hands of the banks, something that has become a much talked about issue and has likewise pushed stocks down in the market again.

Asian markets are tumbling once more and it is all thanks to this new development. Although a new president has been named, it seems that this negative corporate and economic news is only dampening the spirits of potential investors who don’t see any change at all in the structure of better times ahead for doing business.

So as business continues to go bad, so do the stocks. Investors still don’t see any sense investing in a world where money would be better off hidden in their personal safe.

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After officially being adjudged the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama’s true colors have finally been revealed. He has had a mapped out plan from the start and mind you, unless you are in a country where the U.S. will benefit, consider yourselves in trouble.

Countries in Asia are not in the prime list. They are actually second on his agenda. Among the main countries that Obama has talked to are the ones who he will have certain itineraries, most notably helping lift the economy of the U.S. back on its feet like France, the United Kingdom and so on. As for the rest? No one knows what his real intent is.

The Philippines is far from the list. Not that I am siding with controversial Philippine President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo but it seems that Obama knows that the Philippines will only ask for aid and help from them. Apparently at the moment, the U.S. would rather save it for their own countrymen which is understandable. But is that fair? Isn’t that discriminating? You can just imagine one of his ignorant staff could have asked: “Where is the Philippines?”

Well, we have to wait and see in 2010. But from the things that are happening now, it doesn’t look good. I hate to say it but it looks like the motto of Obama right now is if you don’t have anything to offer, you are the least of my problems.

“I think [an Obama-Arroyo] meeting is unlikely because the president-elect, as I understand it, is not yet meeting with foreign leaders. He is busy assembling his Cabinet,” the US ambassador said.

The sidelining of the Arroyo call gave a glimpse of the importance of the Philippines to the United States at a moment of change of administration.

It is clear that the Philippines stands on the outer perimeter of US concerns in world affairs.

The first telephone conversations reveal the Philippines is not within the charmed circles of the Obama administration. It is a leper outside looking in.

It is imperative that Manila should rearrange its priorities vis-à-vis Washington. Obama is not our friend.

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New incoming U.S. President Barack Obama has his work cut out for him. Barack Obama officially become the first black President of the United States and also the 44th president overall.

Why does he have his work cut out for him? Well considering that this is perhaps the bad time to be placed into power, his first order of business is business. With a faltering economy, Obama needs to map out plans to help assist and save the US economy despite the various measures undertaken by the previous administration and finance groups. This is one of the worst scenarios the US has ever been and everyone is having a hard time.

He has contingency plans based on his aggressive campaigning in the past months. Now the people are waiting to see if he is indeed good as he says he is. All eyes will be on him but he has 74 days to plan it all out and then commence his plan for the country.

With the win, it puts a lid on all discrimination issues such as on whether the “U.S. is ready for a Black President”. Basing it on the votes, it looks like the U.S. is ready for Obama but is Obama ready for them!

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“The American people have spoken and they have spoken clearly,” said McCain. “A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.”

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