United States

According to Reuters, the European Union is considering whether or not to require US and Canadian citizens to obtain a visa before traveling to the bloc. Currently, the US enjoys a visa waiver program with the majority of the European Union that is reciprocated on both sides of the Atlantic. Of course, the introduction of the more restrictive process of obtaining a formal travel Visa would hinder tourism for the European Union, something the local economy desperately needs to remain intact.

he Government Accountability Office (GAO) is the non-partisan auditor and investigator for Congress.

The GAO says that the U.S. government’s records are so poorly kept that it can’t really audit them.  Specifically, the GAO provided a report to Congress yesterday stating:

Today at 5:30pm, the four people who have done more to shape the U.S. and global economy in the past four decades more than anyone else, will sit down to discuss their respective philosophies and explain how they see the present and future of the world. At that time, Janet Yellen will appear with her predecessors Ben S. Bernanke, Alan Greenspan and Paul Volcker for a round table discussion. The event at the International House marks the first time the four Fed chiefs have gathered for a joint public appearance.

Submitted by Jeffrey Snider via Alhambra Investment Partners,

After a near record drop in non-revolving (student and car) loans in December, many were wondering if this pipeline which has kept the US auto sector afloat would remain shut. We are happy to report that for two consecutive months, this all important funding pathway has now been unclogged and nonrevolving loans are back to their soaring self.