Paddy Hirsch

The shadow banking system is a key component of the U.S. economy, but the financial crisis has frozen it solid. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains what shadow banking is and why it's important enough to warrant its own bailout, called the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility, or TALF.

The U.S. Treasury Department plans to recruit private investors to take toxic assets off banks' balance sheets. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains how the plan is supposed to work.

Millions of Americans are wondering why AIG has paid so much taxpayer money to other banks. One reason is because AIG has had to honor "collateral calls" -- demands made by banks on the insurance contracts it's written. Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch explains,