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Bear Stearns Snatches Last-Gasp First Quarter Profit, Faces Multiple Probes

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In spite of it all, the "it" being the stunning speed with which Bear Stearns hit rock bottom last month and the midnight ride rescue of the investment bank by J.P. Morgan Chase, Bear Stearns is still reporting a profitable first quarter.

The bank, reported a profit of $.86 per share on revenues of $3.4 billion. During the first quarter of 2007 revenue was $4.8 billion; net income was down 79% to $115 million from $554 million of $3.82 a share. As an indication of just how swiftly things went bad at Bear Stearns, the first quarter ended February 29 and over the weekend of March 15 the Bush Administration strong armed an acquisition of Bear Stearns by J.P. Morgan at a fire sale price of $2 per share ' subsequently renegotiated to $10.



But even with the welcoming arms of J.P. Morgan about to embrace it, Bear Stearns has substantial legal problems looming. The company announced on Monday that it had received a "Wells Notice" from the Securities and Exchange Commission back in February indicated that the company may face civil charges growing out of the bidding process for municipal derivatives that are sold to states, municipalities, and other issuers of tax-exempt bonds. Earlier actions dating back to municipal market transactions back in the early 1990s are being investigated by the Justice Department.

There is also a civil investigation by the Federal Trade Commission of Bear Stearns' subsidiary EMC Mortgage Corporation seeking information on whether EMC and Bear violated (unspecified) consumer protection laws in carrying out its servicing activities.


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barbara
on Tue, May 6 2008 7:00 AM
what will jp morgan do for the customers who have become victim to emc and their subprime mortgage scams, emc is still requesting their mortgage be sent in via their website online payment, system. I wouldn't do that Ihave always paid through bank of america, when will jp morgan let customers know about the take over, and payments sent to whom and that type stuff, afraid to keep sending emc my payments, next thing you know they wont have a record for them either.
barbara
on Sun, Jun 1 2008 7:00 AM
Well, once again emc doing nothing, call call call and hold , hold, hold enough to really make you go insane and once you do get a person they ask you the most uneducated questions, like why do need a modification, and what is a predatory loan red flag, should not be working there. so heartless and uncaring, you would think they were at a picnic. I dont know that these employees know the seriousness of what is happening, because it is not happening to them personally, believe me it will effect them too in some way. the majority of them seem to be uneducated as to why they are there. been waiting for 45 days now and no one even touched the file after being told it was being worked on 2 weeks ago and just told a day ago they will try to look at it this week, here we go again , i'm sure i'll be writing with the same story next month stay tuned, these people are playing with our livelihood, and the very fabric of our future. It is hard to believe , but it almost seems as though emc wants to see people lose their homes, they are doing almost nothing to stop is horrible thing. I'd like to say to all the investors how does it feel to have the shoe on the other foot, and to have been scammed, by brokers and appraisers and title companys that are now hiding like rats. not so good ha? I have all the evidence i need to prove mortgage fraud, once my modification is completed and if approved, I will then go after Reliant loan Mortgage company and Olde Patriot closing title company and a appraiser named Gringas, same culprits all worked togetther on my refinances each time and just falsified documents , stole money to the tune of $13k for closing cost, bumped up the price of my home by $60k and stole $11k monies that was to be cash out and signed documents themself, faked loan documents, wouldn't you think once emc saw something like this , they should have said immediately, no, no. no. we dont want this. I am hurt and so disappointed to know there are people in this world who have so much and yet , through no fault of you r own they put you in a predicament, and then refuse to help you get out of it. most people are asking for modifications and can go on with their lives if a reasonable one is granted, being that it is the fault of emc too that put us here on this forum , they need to make this thing right, or they will face lawsuits until the cows come home. Homeowners, are now angry and feel abandoned and are now willing to take a stand to preserve what little they have left, you people need to wake up with you deep pockets, and cold hearts, we are human beings that you are fooling around with not bolling pins. I really could say somethings that would not be appropriate here, but emc is doing nothing, stonewalling and lying and well trained their employees to do the same, they sound very dum and are not good liars, they should all be jobless too, hear that's coming , cant wait , I will dance a big jig, and lord dont forget the help that our president is giving us, to say the least it is unbelievable and unforgiveable, will never vote for any politician again , dont care what office , We have to take care of ourselves anyway so why put someone in office , who only threats to veto bills. good god I've had it. Last but not least we are all in for a long battle and to all of you having the same troubles as myself whether already forclosed on o r not , or just struggling to make the payment even before payment shock good luck to all of you and God Bless all of you.
laura valentine
on Wed, Jul 9 2008 7:00 AM
I am on the verge of a nervous break-down due to EMC mortgage. They have tried to put my house in foreclosure 5 times in the short time i was with them. The employees have no clue what their talking about and never do what they're suppose to do. They made a mistake by not deducting a check by phone and month later i get a letter of foreclosure. Someone needs to do something about this company.