Bank of America Corp. ... provisions for credit losses quintupled to $6 billion and investment banking write-downs cost at least another $1.91 billion.
The big increase in credit costs was driven by weakness in home equity loans and credit extended to small businesses and home builders ...
Net charge-offs for loans the bank doesn't think are collectable jumped to 1.25% from 0.81% of total average loans and leases, reflecting deterioration in the housing market and a slowing economy. Nonperforming assets surged to 0.90% from 0.29%.
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"We remain concerned about the health of the consumer given the prolonged housing slump, subprime issues, employment levels and higher fuel and food prices," Chief Executive Kenneth D. Lewis said ...
A Voluntary Contraction of the Credit Market resulting in the Involuntary Liquidation of Physical & Derivative Assets at a Material Loss Causing a Severe Recession or even possibly a systemic financial meltdown