MIT: Independent Activities Period: IAP

IAP 2013 Activities by Category - Economics and Finance

= Add activity session to your calendar (exports in iCalendar format)
Expand All | Collapse All


10 Things Every Parent Should Know: Protecting and Planning for your Children

Mark Porter '05, Certified Financial Planner

Jan/10 Thu 12:30PM-01:30PM 4-237

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

Becoming a parent is a joyous and life altering event. It can also have a serious impact on your finances. How can you best protect your children? How can you best plan for their future? Come learn the essentials from Mark Porter '05, certified financial planner, and Brian Mahoney, Esq. on topics such as:

• Wills
• Emergency and Permanent Guardianship Provisions
• Trusts
• Education Savings Options
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance


The seminar itself will last 60 minutes and then Brian and Mark will be available for questions.

Register today!

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU


10 Things Every Young Parent Should Know: Protecting and Planning for your Children

Mark Porter '05, Certified Financial Planner, Brian Mahoney, Esq.

Jan/16 Wed 01:30PM-02:30PM 4-237

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

10 Things Every Parent Should Know: Protecting and Planning for your Children

Becoming a parent is a joyous and life altering event. It can also have a serious impact on your finances. How can you best protect your children? How can you best plan for their future? Come learn the essentials from Mark Porter '05, certified financial planner, and Brian Mahoney, Esq. on topics such as:

• Wills
• Emergency and Permanent Guardianship Provisions
• Trusts
• Education Savings Options
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance


The seminar itself will last 60 minutes and then Brian and Mark will be available for questions.

Register today!

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98, 617-252-1143, ebyrne@mit.edu


Alumni Talk with Jee Chung '89

Jee Chung '89, Head of Research and Investment Systems for GMO

Jan/28 Mon 07:00PM-08:00PM E51-315

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

From Physics to Finance: Information Technology in the Financial World

The  presenter, Jee Chung '89, is the head of Research and Investment Systems for GMO, a global investment firm that manages over $100 billion in assets for clients that include pension funds, cultural institutions and foundations. Jee will discuss how he went from Course 8 to managing IT for one of the world's most respected investment firms, and explain what an IT career is like in a financial company.

Dessert and coffee will be served.

This free talk is sponsored by the Class Connections program and the MIT Alumni Association.

Register today!

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association, Physics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU


Building a Portfolio for Any Weather

Jan/10 Thu 12:00PM-01:00PM Tang (E51): Wong Aud

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Prereq: None

The goal of this workshop is to educate employees on the principles of asset allocation and diversification, and how to develop an appropriate investment strategy in the MIT Supplemental 401(k) Plan.

Sponsor(s): MIT Human Resources
Contact: Paul J. Gunning, (617) 258-8872, paul.gunning@fmr.com


Climate Policy 101

Michael Davidson, Paul Kishimoto

Jan/31 Thu 01:00PM-03:00PM E51-335

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

The inaugural address also mentioned that a "path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult" and will involve "technology that will power new jobs and new industries". But political opponents sometimes finger climate policy as a "job-killer".

This session will outline how energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are linked to the world economy and the technologies we use, how climate change impacts affect us, and discuss the difference between "mitigation" and "adaptation" with options that governments have for each. It will also survey policies in place, and major challenges and opportunities as the U.S. and other countries work towards coordinated action.

Sponsor(s): Joint Program/Science and Policy of Global Change
Contact: Anthony Tran, E19-411R, 617 253-7492, TONES@MIT.EDU


Estate Planning Basics

Richard J. Erickson, Certified Financial Planner

Jan/17 Thu 12:00PM-01:00PM 56-114

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required

Join MIT Federal Credit Union and MITFCU Financial & Retirement Services for a no cost, no obligation seminar where you'll learn the basics of estate planning including:

• Why you need an estate plan
• Strategies to plan for incapacity, including special health care directives
• Wills, trusts, and life insurance
• Key tax basics, including an overview of the federal gift tax, estate tax, and generation-skipping transfer tax

Click here to sign up.

Sponsor(s): MIT Federal Credit Union
Contact: Susan Silkes, 617-324-3822, ssilkes@mit.edu


Financial Crises and Amplification Mechanisms

Alp Simsek, Assistant Professor of Economics

Jan/22 Tue 10:30AM-12:00PM E51-395

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

 This talks draws upon the recent academic literature in financial economics to describe the mechanisms by which relatively small events lead to large effects in financial markets and the rest of the economy. The mechanisms will be illustrated with examples from the recent financial crises in the US and the Euro zone.

Sponsor(s): Economics
Contact: Kim Scantlebury, E52-252, 617 252-1565, KSCANTS@MIT.EDU


Financial Planning Basics

Richard J. Erickson, Certified Financial Planner

Jan/29 Tue 01:00PM-02:00PM Building 56, Rm 154

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required

Join MIT Federal Credit Union and MITFCU Financial & Retirement Services for a no cost, no obligation seminar where you'll learn the basics of financial planning including:

• How to construct a budget and the importance of establishing an emergency fund
• Credit fundamentals
• Basic investment concepts, including risk tolerance and the difference between pre-tax, after-tax and tax-deferred investments
• Basic estate planning concepts

Click here to sign up.

Contact: Susan Silkes, 617-324-3822, ssilkes@mit.edu


Financial Planning Basics

Richard J. Erickson, Certified Financial Planner

Jan/31 Thu 12:00PM-01:00PM 56-114

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required

Join MIT Federal Credit Union and MITFCU Financial & Retirement Services for a no cost, no obligation seminar where you'll learn the basics of financial planning including:

• How to construct a budget and the importance of establishing an emergency fund
• Credit fundamentals
• Basic investment concepts, including risk tolerance and the difference between pre-tax, after-tax and tax-deferred investments
• Basic estate planning concepts

Click here to sign up.

Sponsor(s): MIT Federal Credit Union
Contact: Susan Silkes, 617-324-3822, ssilkes@mit.edu


Google Advertising

Glenn Ellison, Professor of Economics

Jan/10 Thu 01:00PM-02:30PM E51-395

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

In 15 years Google has grown from a research project to a $200 billion dollar company. An often underappreciated key to its success is the innovative process by which it sells "sponsored links". In this talk I'll use several game theoretic models to help explain how Google advertising works, why it works so well, why improving online advertising will be an exciting area for game theorists, and how policy-makers should think about the industry.

Sponsor(s): Economics
Contact: Kim Scantlebury, E52-252, 617 252-1565, KSCANTS@MIT.EDU


Health Policy

Jonathan Gruber, Professor of Economics

Jan/30 Wed 10:30AM-12:00PM E51-395

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

The talk will discuss the past, present and future of health care reform in the United States.

Sponsor(s): Economics
Contact: Kim Scantlebury, E52-252, 617 252-1565, KSCANTS@MIT.EDU


Introduction to Corp. Credit Analysis & Equity Valuation

Andrew Henwood MBA'07, John Piskorowski SM '07

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required
Attendance:

Unfortunately Andrew Henwood SM '07 can no longer travel to campus on this date. The first part of the talk has been cancelled. 

Noon – 1:30 p.m. Introduction to Credit Analysis -- Cancelled

1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Introduction to Equity Valuation

Register today!

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU


(Canceled) Credit Equity

Jan/30 Wed 12:00PM-01:30PM E62-276

Corporate Credit analysis. The talk will cover key concepts including the role the ratings agencies and typical financial ratios employed in order to determine the credit risk of a company. The class will introduce students to the Investment Grade (IG) bond market and provide several examples on how bonds are priced and why an IG rating is desirable for a company today.

Andrew Henwood MBA'07


Equity Valuation

Jan/30 Wed 01:30PM-02:30PM E62-276

Introduction to Equity valuation. Typically students are familiar with DCF analysis, but other approaches, such as multiple analysis, net asset value and sum-of-the parts valuation, are important techniques in providing a broader measure of equity valuation. An effort will be made to include several real world examples of how investment professionals value equities in the Energy and Financial sectors.

John Piskorowski SM '07


Jobs for Economic Faculty in Business Schools

Robert Gibbons, Sloan Distinguished Professor of Management, Roberto Rigobon, Professor

Jan/23 Wed 10:30AM-12:00PM E51-372

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

This session will discuss how several kinds of economists (in fields such as IO, applied micro, applied theory, macro, and international) have found productive professorial careers in several kinds of faculty groups (including economics, strategy, political economy, and international management) within several kinds of business schools (from Chicago to HBS, and many in between). Of course, professorial career includes both research and teaching, so we will discuss how both may be somewhat different than in an economics department, but also how in many business schools the differences compared to a department are greater in terms of teaching than research. 

Sponsor(s): Economics, Academic Media Production Services
Contact: Kim Scantlebury, E52-252, 617-252-1565, kscants@mit.edu


Making a Career Working in Start-Ups

Sid Probstein '90, CTO of Attivio, Robert Rizika '89, SM '94, President and CEO of Vidscale, and the CEO of ProfitBricks

Jan/29 Tue 02:00PM-03:00PM E51-376

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

Come learn from two successful entrepreneurs what it is like to work in start-ups, and how they have managed their careers as entrepreneurs.

Sid Probstein ’90 has spent more than 20 years managing R&D organizations including Northern Light Technology and Fast Search and Transfer. He s currently the CTO of Attivio. Robert Rizika ’89 has spent nearly 25 years leading and building successful technology companies, including Blackwave (sold to Juniper Networks in 2010), Reflective Technologies, and VerdiSoft (sold to Yahoo! in 2003). He is currently the President and CEO of Vidscale, and the CEO of ProfitBricks.

Don’t miss this informative talk about what it’s really like to work at a start-up!

This free talk is sponsored by the Class Connections program and the MIT Alumni Association.

Register today!

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU


MIT Retirement Plans Workshop

Jan/17 Thu 12:00PM-01:00PM W20-407

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

This workshop is designed for employees who want a review of the MIT Basic Retirement Plan, the MIT Supplemental 401(k) Plan, and Retiree Health and Welfare benefits and how they work.

Sponsor(s): MIT Human Resources
Contact: Paul J. Gunning, (617) 258-8872, paul.gunning@fmr.com


Monetary Policy at Zero Interest Rates: Understanding Recent Federal Reserve Actions

Ivan Werning, Professor

Jan/28 Mon 10:30AM-12:00PM E51-395

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

The US economy is a Liquidity Trap. The 2007-8 crisis in the U.S. led to a steep recession, followed by aggressive policy responses. Monetary policy went full tilt, cutting interest rates rapidly to zero, where they have remained since the end of 2008. Unconventional monetary policies were also pursued, starting with “quantitative easing”, purchases of long-term bonds and other assets. In August 2011, the Federal Reserve’s FOMC statement signaled the intent to keep interest rates at zero until at least mid 2013. These statements have been subsequently renewed and extended.

 

This talk uses recent research to shed light on the inherent policy challenges of such liquidity trap scenarios. Using a simple macroeconomic model of the economy we will characterize optimal monetary policy responses employing optimal control techniques. The model highlights the importance of communication and commitment, with optimal policies requiring "forward guidance" to maintaing future interest rates at zero.

 

The results provide insight into current debates and policy decisions regarding monetary policy by the Federal Reserve.

Sponsor(s): Economics
Contact: Kim Scantlebury, E52-252, 617 252-1565, KSCANTS@MIT.EDU


On measuring the effects of tax stimulus policy in recessions

Jonathan Parker, Professor of Finance

Jan/25 Fri 10:30AM-12:00PM E51-395

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Going into the Great Recession, the profession lacked consensus on the efficacy of fiscal stimulus during recessions. This talk first critiques the two main methods by which macroeconomists infer the effects of fiscal stimulus on the economy, and then describes an example of using causal microeconomic evidence to discipline a model ready for sharpening macroeconomic inference. 

Sponsor(s): Economics
Contact: Kim Scantlebury, E52-252, 617 252-1565, KSCANTS@MIT.EDU


Personal Finance 101

Mark Porter '05, Certified Financial Planner

Jan/16 Wed 12:00PM-01:00PM 32-123

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

MIT has done a great job teaching students how to earn money. Unfortunately, no one teaches students what to do with it when they get it!

This hour-long seminar will offer the basics of a financial-planning approach. It will cover definitions and best practices regarding:

• Cash reserves
• Liability management
• Tax planning
• Insurance planning
• Savings vehicles
• Investments

The class will be most useful for those already working or graduating in 2013, but all are welcome.

Taught by Mark Porter ’05, certified financial planner.

Register today!

 

 

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU


Personal Finance: 101

Mark Porter '05

Jan/10 Thu 06:00PM-07:00PM 32-123

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

MIT has done a great job teaching students how to earn money. Unfortunately, no one teaches students what to do with it when they get it!

This hour-long seminar will offer the basics of a financial-planning approach. It will cover definitions and best practices regarding:

• Cash reserves
• Liability management
• Tax planning
• Insurance planning
• Savings vehicles
• Investments

The class will be most useful for those already working or graduating in 2013, but all are welcome.

Taught by Mark Porter, CFP® Class of 2005.

Register today!

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98, 617-252-1143, ebyrne@mit.edu


Politics, Economics, and the Euro Area Crisis.

Athanasios Orphanides

Jan/29 Tue 10:30AM-12:00PM E51-315

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Until its tenth anniversary and even after the start of the global financial crisis, the European economic and monetary union was a considered a success. Since 2009, however, the euro area is mired in a crisis that presently threatens the survival of the monetary union and even the European Union in its current form.   This session will briefly review the framework of the euro area and some of the weaknesses that have been playing a role in perpetuating and magnifying the crisis.  One focus will be the governance of the euro area, the absence of a representative government that can decisively tackle the crisis, and the role of political considerations at individual member states.  Another focus will be the role of the ECB and economic considerations for the euro area as a whole.  Questions serve as a backdrop:  Will the euro area survive? What are possible paths towards a resolution of the crisis?   

Sponsor(s): Sloan School of Management, Economics
Contact: Athanasios Orphanides, orphanid@mit.edu


Professional Portfolio Selection Techniques: From Markowitz to Innovative Engineering

Antonella Sabatini

Jan/07 Mon 12:00PM-02:00PM 32-124

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Prereq: none

A brief review of the most important and widely used state-of-the-art Portfolio Selection Techniques will be presented. Such techniques could be used by capital firm wealth management institutions as well as for a personal financial portfolio.  An introduction to some innovative methodologies, including the proprietary novel model as a tactical asset allocation technique, will be illustrated and some working examples will be presented as time allows.  Gentle introduction to the subject, specifically targeted at undergraduates in Economics, EECS and other fields with interest in quantitative finance, economics and management; emphasis on innovation and research.

Sponsor(s): Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
Contact: Antonella Sabatini, as@alum.mit.edu


Psychology and Economics

Anat Bracha, Economist

Feb/01 Fri 01:00PM-02:30PM E51-395

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

"This talk aims to give students a glimpse into research in psychology and economics by covering some of the main ideas in the field and discussing existing experimental evidence. The topics include biases in decisionmaking, dual processes, hyperbolic discounting, incentives, gender differences, and the effect of learning from experience rather than information. I will discuss research done at the Boston Fed and elsewhere with applications to consumption and savings, inflation expectations, the real-estate market, charitable giving, and the labor market."

Sponsor(s): Economics
Contact: Kim Scantlebury, E52-252, 617 252-1565, KSCANTS@MIT.EDU


Retirement Basics

Richard J. Erickson, Certified Financial Planner

Jan/10 Thu 12:00PM-01:00PM 56-114

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required

Join MIT Federal Credit Union and MITFCU Financial & Retirement Services for a no-cost, no-obligation seminar where you'll learn the basics of retirement including:

• How to put together a retirement roadmap
• Factors that influence when you should retire and how long your retirement could last
• How to "crunch the numbers" by estimating your retirement expenses and retirement income, while factoring in inflation & taxes
• How to use tax-advantaged savings vehicles like IRAs and 401(k)s

Click here to sign up.

Sponsor(s): MIT Federal Credit Union
Contact: Susan Silkes, 617-324-3822, ssilkes@mit.edu


School Choice Reforms in Boston in 2012

Parag Pathak, Associate Professor of Economics

Jan/15 Tue 10:30AM-12:00PM E51-335

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

None

Sponsor(s): Economics
Contact: Kim Scantlebury, E52-252, 617 252-1565, KSCANTS@MIT.EDU


Small Business Toolkit: Financial Strategies and Online Marketing Strategies

Mark Porter '05, Certified Financial Planner, Andrew Percey '95, MNG '96, Founder, Prometheus Web Solutions

Jan/10 Thu 04:30PM-05:30PM 34-101

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

Starting and growing your own business can be tremendously rewarding.  But it involves much more than just offering a product or service.   How do you manage your personal finances if you haven't received significant funding?  What do you need to know about employees and taxes?  How do you create an online presence that will drive revenue and growth?  Come learn the essentials regarding:

• Taking advantage of changing tax brackets during start-up
• Efficient use of your personal funds
• Managing payroll and taxes
• Building the optimal website for your business
• Attracting your target customers to your website
• Finding the best resources for your web design and marketing
           
The first half of this seminar will focus on small business finances and is taught by Mark Porter '05, certified financial planner.  The second half will focus on promoting your business online and is taught by Andrew Percey of Prometheus Web Solutions.  The seminar will last 60 minutes with Mark and Andrew available afterwards for additional questions.

Register today!

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU


Small Business Toolkit: Financial Strategies and Online Marketing Strategies

Mark Porter '05, Certified Financial Planner, Andrew Percey '95, MNG '96, Founder, Prometheus Web Solutions

Jan/16 Wed 06:00PM-07:00PM 34-101

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

Starting and growing your own business can be tremendously rewarding.  But it involves much more than just offering a product or service.   How do you manage your personal finances if you haven't received significant funding?  What do you need to know about employees and taxes?  How do you create an online presence that will drive revenue and growth?  Come learn the essentials regarding:

• Taking advantage of changing tax brackets during start-up
• Efficient use of your personal funds
• Managing payroll and taxes
• Building the optimal website for your business
• Attracting your target customers to your website
• Finding the best resources for your web design and marketing
           
The first half of this seminar will focus on small business finances and is taught by Mark Porter '05, certified financial planner.  The second half will focus on promoting your business online and is taught by Andrew Percey of Prometheus Web Solutions.  The seminar will last 60 minutes with Mark and Andrew available afterwards for additional questions.

 

Register today!

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU


Social Security and Your Retirement

Richard J. Erickson, Certified Financial Planner

Jan/24 Thu 12:00PM-01:00PM 56-114

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required

Regardless of when you plan to retire, Social Security will likely be an important part of the road ahead. How can you get the most out of your benefits?

Join MIT Federal Credit Union and MITFCU Financial & Retirement Services for a no cost, no obligation seminar that can help you set your financial direction and answer more of your questions:

• What are the rules for starting Social Security benefits?
• How do spouses coordinate their benefits?
• Are there different routes to take that could potentially increase your benefits?
• How do you decide where Social Security fits within your retirement plans?

Click here to sign up.

Sponsor(s): MIT Federal Credit Union
Contact: Susan Silkes, 617-324-3822, ssilkes@mit.edu


The Ins and Outs of the IRB Process: A Practical Guide for Graduate Students and other Researchers

Deanna Ford, Associate Director (EPoD), Heather McCurdy, Research Administrator (JPAL), Ashish Shenoy, Ben Feigenberg

Jan/24 Thu 01:00PM-02:30PM E51-395

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

If you are collecting or using data from human subjects in research, your project needs approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB).  Does the IRB approval process seem a bit unclear or intimidating? Are you collecting primary data in the U.S. or abroad and wondering what needs to be approved, when in your project you need to apply and how to ensure you have a project design and data management plan that will receive approval?  Come join us to gain a clearer understanding of the IRB review process, learn recommended IRB-compliant best practices for primary data collection and secure data management, and receive practical guidance for specific requirements at MIT and Harvard.

Sponsor(s): Economics
Contact: Kim Scantlebury, E52-252, 617 252-1565, KSCANTS@MIT.EDU


Trade Theory with Numbers

Arnaud Costinot, Professor of Economics

Jan/18 Fri 10:30AM-12:00PM E51-335

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

The theoretical proposition that there are gains from international trade is one of the most fundamental result in all of economics. Under perfect competition, opening up to trade acts as an expansion of the production possibility frontier and leads to Pareto superior outcomes. The objective of this talk is to survey a recent body of theoretical work that aims to put "numbers" on this and other related comparative static exercises.

Sponsor(s): Economics
Contact: Kim Scantlebury, E52-252, 617 252-1565, KSCANTS@MIT.EDU


Understanding Money & Credit

Jan/08 Tue 01:00PM-02:00PM Stata, Room 155

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required

“Understanding Money and Credit” will identify money management skills and techniques that you will find of use both now and in the future. You will learn tools that will help you create a budget, handle emergencies, and save for the future. You will also learn how to order, review, and build your credit report.

Click here to sign up.

Sponsor(s): MIT Federal Credit Union
Contact: Susan Silkes, 617-324-3822, ssilkes@mit.edu


Understanding Money & Credit

Jan/22 Tue 01:00PM-02:00PM 32-141

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required

“Understanding Money and Credit” will identify money management skills and techniques that you will find of use both now and in the future. You will learn tools that will help you create a budget, handle emergencies, and save for the future. You will also learn how to order, review, and build your credit report.

Click here to sign up.

Contact: Susan Silkes, 617-324-3822, ssilkes@mit.edu


What Will The Housing Recovery Look Like

William Wheaton, Professor

Jan/31 Thu 01:00PM-02:30PM E51-395

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Professor Wheaton tracks the causes of the housing bubble, bust and upcoming recovery. Current data point to a recovery in both prices and construction, and together these should begin contributing to aggregate economic growth for the first time in 5 years. Recent research also provides specific estimates of how rapidly house prices will recover in each metro area in order to generate that area's need levels of new construction.

Sponsor(s): Economics
Contact: Kim Scantlebury, E52-252, 617 252-1565, KSCANTS@MIT.EDU


Why Did So Many People Make So Many Ex Post Bad Decisions? The Causes of the Foreclosure Crisis

Christopher Foote & Paul Willen, Senior Economist & Policy Advisor

Jan/14 Mon 10:30AM-12:00PM E51-335

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

We present 12 facts about the mortgage market. We argue that the facts refute the popular story that the recent housing crisis resulted from financial industry insiders deceiving uninformed mortgage borrowers and investors. Instead,  borrowers and investors made decisions that were rational and logical given their ex post overly optimistic beliefs about house prices. We then show that neither institutional features of the mortgage market nor financial innovations are any more likely to explain those distorted beliefs than they are to explain the Dutch tulip bubble 400 years ago. Economists should acknowledge the limits of our understanding of asset price bubbles and design policies accordingly.

Sponsor(s): Economics
Contact: Kim Scantlebury, E52-252, 617 252-1565, KSCANTS@MIT.EDU


Workshop: Confident Investing in Any Market

Jan/22 Tue 12:00PM-01:00PM W20-Mezzanine

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

This workshop is designed to help employees who are ready to take their retirement savings to the next level become more confident investors, understand how the markets may impact their investment strategy, and learn ways to establish and maintain a tax-sensitive savings approach.

Sponsor(s): MIT Human Resources
Contact: Paul J. Gunning, (617) 258-8872, paul.gunning@fmr.com


Your College Savings Options

Jan/31 Thu 12:00PM-01:30PM Kresge W16-033 Rm A

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Presented by MEFA and Fidelity Investments

In this workshop you will learn about:

 

Sponsor(s): MIT Human Resources
Contact: Paul J. Gunning, (617) 258-8872, paul.gunning@fmr.com