European Financial Chieftains Weigh In On Global Economy Lagarde Chastises Policymakers, While Trichet Underscores Competitiveness

The head of the International Monetary Fund said that the world’s leading economies were in a “dangerous new phase” and called on governments to do more.

European Financial Chieftains Weigh in on Global Economy Lagarde Chastises Policymakers, While Trichet Underscores Competitiveness

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DealBook: Valuing Ally Financial

If the current valuation is correct, the government is looking at a net gain on its investment of $3.8 billion.

DealBook: Valuing Ally Financial

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The Vatican Creates a Financial Watchdog

A new law creates an authority to ensure that the Vatican’s financial entities comply with European Union standards. The Vatican bank is now the focus of an Italian judicial investigation.

The Vatican Creates a Financial Watchdog

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WSJ obtains Wikileaks financial data: spending up, donations down

[photograph: Ukrainian activists hold a rally in support of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in front of the Swedish embassy to Ukraine in Kiev. REUTERS] The Wall Street Journal has a report out today with details on Wikileaks' financial inner workings, from the foundation in Germany that pays the organization's bills. Odd that this long-sought information would come out on Christmas Eve, but here's the short version of the story: spending is up, because they're paying salaries now (including $86K/year to Julian Assange), and they're "facing potential legal issues" (understatement of the millenium). Snip: Wau Holland Foundation says it has collected about €1 million ($1.3 million) in donations in 2010, the year in which WikiLeaks exploded into public prominence thanks to its release of thousands of classified U.S. documents. WikiLeaks said in August that it had raised about €765,000 until that point in the year. The data from the foundation, which is a major but not the sole conduit of funding for the website, suggest donations to WikiLeaks have tampered off some since the organization landed in the headlines. The Wau Holland Foundation provides key back-office services for WikiLeaks' operations by collecting donations and paying its bills. Last summer, WikiLeaks said it operated on about €150,000 a year. Now, however, the foundation says it has paid about €380,000 in WikiLeaks expenses, with some invoices for the year still unprocessed. Some of that total is for hardware, Internet access and travel, Wau Holland spokesman Hendrik Fulda said. But a big factor in the leap is a recent decision to begin paying salaries to staff. The primary beneficiary of that decision--which has been hotly debated within WikiLeaks--is Mr. Assange, the controversial founder and public face of WikiLeaks who is currently under house arrest in the U.K., where he faces possible extradition to Sweden to WikiLeaks is said to have committed to paying half of the estimated $100K that Bradley Manning's legal defense is expected to cost, but a spokesman recently said the organization will now only donate around $20K. They have not yet contributed these funds. The WSJ reports that Wau Holland is said to be waiting for legal advice on whether such a donation is permitted under German law. WikiLeaks Spending Ballooned, Data Show (WSJ, paid subscription required) WikiLeaks' Julian Assange Now Making $86k/year (CBS News)...

WSJ obtains Wikileaks financial data: spending up, donations down

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DealBook: Toronto-Dominion Nears Deal for Chrysler Financial

A deal for the former financing arm of Chrysler could be announced as soon as Tuesday morning, according to people briefed on the matter.

DealBook: Toronto-Dominion Nears Deal for Chrysler Financial

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Financial Bailout May Cost Less Than Thought

The Treasury secretary said his department expects a positive return on its remaining support for banks, automakers, credit markets and A.I.G., as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Financial Bailout May Cost Less Than Thought

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DealBook: Warsaw Makes a Bid to Be Central Europe's Financial Hub

Financial stability and government privatization has attracted Wall Street banks to Poland.

DealBook: Warsaw Makes a Bid to Be Central Europe's Financial Hub

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DealBook: UBS Names Next Chief Financial Officer

LONDON — UBS, Switzerland’s largest bank, said Friday it had appointed Tom Naratil as its next chief financial officer after John Cryan decided to step down after about three years in the job.

DealBook: UBS Names Next Chief Financial Officer

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Bucks: A Few Financial Matters You Can Control

You may not be able to predict the impact of quantitative easing, but you can work more, spend less and not chase silly investments.

Bucks: A Few Financial Matters You Can Control

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