A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE AND NOW I FINALLY I UNDERSTAND.
Heidi is the proprietor of a bar in Berlin. In order to increase sales,
she decides to allow her loyal customers - most of whom are unemployed
alcoholics - to drink now but pay later. She keeps track of the drinks
consumed on a ledger (thereby granting the customers loans).
Word gets around and as a result increasing numbers of customers flood
Into Heidi's bar.
Taking advantage of her customers' freedom from immediate payment
constraints, Heidi increases her prices for wine and beer, the
most-consumed beverages. Her sales volume increases massively.
A young and dynamic customer service consultant at the local bank
Recognizes these customer debts as valuable future assets and increases
Heidi's borrowing limit.
He sees no reason for undue concern since he has the debts of the
alcoholics as collateral.
At the bank's corporate headquarters, expert bankers transform these
customer assets into DRINKBONDS, ALKBONDS and PUKEBONDS. These
=0 Asecurities are then traded on markets worldwide. No one really
understands what these abbreviations mean and how the securities are
guaranteed.
Nevertheless, as their prices continuously climb, the securities become
top-selling items.
One day, although the prices are still climbing, a risk manager
(subsequently of course fired due his negativity) of the bank decides
that slowly the time has come to demand payment of the debts incurred by
the drinkers at Heidi's bar.
However they cannot pay back the debts.
Heidi cannot fulfill her loan obligations and claims bankruptcy.
DRINKBOND and ALKBOND drop in price by 95 %. PUKEBOND performs better,
stabilizing in price after dropping by 80 %.
The suppliers of Heidi's bar, having granted her generous payment due
dates and having invested in the securities are faced with a new
situation.
Her wine supplier claims bankruptcy, her beer supplier is taken over by
a competitor.
The bank is saved by the Government following dramatic round-the-clock
consultations by leaders from the governing political parties.
The funds required for this purpose are obtained by a tax levied against
the non-drinkers.
Finally an explanation I understand . . .
Tim Monciref - Austin, TX
Over 2,000 homes sold…..
Nice analogy, but I think you may have been hanging out at the local bar a taaaad tooooo much.
Cheers.........(pun intended)
Apr 05, 2009 09:25 AM
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland
Montana Homestead Brokers, Broker, CRS, GRI, SFR, RN - Billings, MT
Billings Montana Real Estate
Poor Heidi, it sounded like such a good idea. I am not a gambler, but I think the casino's are a better risk than this.
Apr 05, 2009 09:33 AM
DMV Realty & Investments, LLC - Waverly, MD
Tim - My secret is out... did'nt I see you at that same pub? :-)
Lenn - Makes sense to me too.
Wanda - Your absoultely right, it is much better especially if your the casino. lol
Apr 05, 2009 09:39 AM
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
Voices Empower - Argyle, TX
Comments(6)