Britain's Trillion Pound Horror Story

This is the age of fiscal distress. The Banking and credit crisis of 2008 paved the way for the European sovereign debt crisis, and growing fiscal distress among many of the developed economy governments. Long before the banking crisis many developed nations were already on unsustainable fiscal paths, with excessive spending on benefits and pensions, bloated government departments, and without the tax take to support it. Naturally a recession decreases tax revenue; so much more when the government injects fiscal stimulus and bailout packages. This documentary hones in on the UK experience. Also see Debtocracy for a look at the Greek experience.

Originally aired on channel 4 Film maker Martin Durkin explains the full extent of the financial mess we are in: an estimated £4.8 trillion of national debt and counting. It's so big that even if every home in the UK was sold it wouldn't raise enough cash to pay it off.



Finance Documentaries: http://www.financedocumentaries.com/2012/02/britains-trillion-pound-horror-story.html

RBS - Inside The Bank That Ran Out of Money

RBS was one of the casualties of the financial crisis, chalking up record losses, and requiring a multi-billion dollar bailout from the UK government to prevent the group from going under.  This documentary by the BBC details how RBS grew into one of the worlds largest banks through aggressive global expansion via acquisitions; some being smarter than others, and investments and dealing in the US subprime mortgage market.  The documentary presents a particularly interesting angle on the financial crisis, and a fascinating insight into what was otherwise an impressive growth story.

The Royal Bank of Scotland was once a famous Scottish institution; a bank with a reputation for prudence. But in October 2008, less than a decade after Fred Goodwin took over as chief executive, it came within hours of collapsing. RBS later posted the biggest loss in UK corporate history - 24 billion pounds - which damaged the bank's reputation for financial prudence and Scotland's image as a global financial centre. Using previously unbroadcast footage of the bank's top executives and interviews with bank insiders, this documentary tells the compelling story of a national catastrophe.



Finance Documentaries: http://www.financedocumentaries.com/2012/01/rbs-inside-bank-that-ran-out-of-money.html

Walmart: The High Cost Of Low Prices

Walmart is an iconic American company, and a key stock in the retail sector. The business has made steps to enter China, and has virtually taken over America. But while the owners have benefited, and by and large many people have benefited from the low prices on offer, the Wal-Mart story is not all positive. Indeed, there are many stories of mistreatment of employees, and a general feeling of mistrust and discontent among the businesses it has out-competed, such as the local community stores. This documentary highlights that it is worth being aware of the labor and social and corporate governance practices of companies that you do business with and invest in.

Watch Walmart: The High Cost of Low Prices and others at Documentary-Log.com




Finance Documentaries: http://www.financedocumentaries.com/2012/01/walmart-high-cost-of-low-prices.html

Betting on the Market

This excellent documentary from PBS gives a fascinating insight into the late 1990's stock market bubble. While today we have people protesting on Wall Street with the occupy Wall Street and associated movements, a time where public opinion is squarely negative towards Wall Street, back in the nineties when the stock market just went up and up it was an altogether different time. To be fair much of the recent anger against the street is well deserved with a lot of questionable and sometimes stupid practices that lead to the crisis. But anyone who's studied the stock market and its history knows that another bull market will come soon, and it will be followed by a correction, and life will go on. This documentary gives a preview of what will be to come when the next multi-year bull market comes, and it will - probably within the decade, and possibly within the next five years. But when the next bull market comes, everyone will become experts overnight, mortgage brokers will become fund salesmen, taxi drivers will become financial advisers, and everyone will be back in love with Wall Street!



Finance Documentaries: http://www.financedocumentaries.com/2011/12/betting-on-market.html

Tricks of the Trade: Outsmarting Investment Fraud

This documentary from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) provides information and insights on how to avoid investment fraud. The documentary is particularly aimed at helping educate seniors, and apparently reduced the susceptibility to investment fraud by about 50% among  a test group of seniors. Indeed, in an age where knowledge is power, and in a time where the baby boomers are starting to retire, it is more important than ever that people get educated and informed on the risks of investment fraud. So arm yourself with this knowledge, and make sure you pass it on.

Investment fraud does happen … and it can happen to you. "Tricks of the Trade: Outsmarting Investment Fraud" is an hour-long documentary on preventing investment fraud. Utilizing compelling stories of victims and perpetrators, the video uncovers the persuasion tactics that con artists use to defraud their victims and the basic tools investors can use to defend against fraud.

Watch Tricks of the Trade: Outsmarting Investment Fraud on PBS. See more from MPT Specials.

Finance Documentaries: http://www.financedocumentaries.com/2011/12/tricks-of-trade-outsmarting-investment.html