Citi and other insitutions...no shock

In 2002 I began working for Wells Fargo Bank. I was constantly being pressured to source new clients for home equity and mortgages. I found that many of the consumers were taking on a dangerous amount of debt and insisted on consulting with them on the entirety of the papers they were signing. I was constantly in trouble with my manager "Mark" for not sourcing more clients.

I moved on to Citi as a Business Banking Officer early in 2004. The trend continued even in a business focused role. There was a lot of pressure to lend to anyone who could possibly meet the guidelines.

At the time, with a credit score over 730 I was offered a mortgage of half a million with a salary of only $40k.

I despise the fed for any bailout notions. I'm sure there were lots of people like me who could've made more commission had we been willing to ignore the obvious. People were buying more than they could afford and borrowing on 2nd mortgages beyond their means.

I was written up, I was given warnings, my job was threatened. But had more people acted with the common sense and professionalism that I did....the problem would never have become so great. Maybe someone should give me a bonus check for not having booked more risky loans. This is capitalism run a-muck. And even though i did my job - the fed is using my tax dollars to relieve the mistakes of idiots, selfish thieves?????

Please.

K