Souring Cyprus

By Econ70 | 04/09/2013
A new york state association of realtors logo.

The recent $13 billion bailout (60% of GDP) made by the IMF, ECB, and European Commission to Cyprus does not solve problems, it just delays them. With a post bailout debt-to-GDP burden of 140%, an economy that will shrink 20% over the next two years, the gutting of its huge financial sector, and a promise…

Read More

Cashless Cyprus

By Econ70 | 03/05/2013
A logo of tennessee housing development agency

While small, the Cypriot bank bailout is causing heartburn across the Eurozone. At its peak, the banking sector had assets eight times GDP and now needs $13 billion. If Cyprus borrows the money, their debt-to-GDP ratio becomes unsustainable. Writing down sovereign debt won’t work because it’s held by the banks and forcing a haircut on…

Read More