Personal Finance Daily: Who are you voting for? Don't tell co-workers

Personal Finance Daily FEBRUARY 22, 2012 Wednesday's Personal Finance Stories By MarketWatch Don't miss these top stories: Election 2012: Don't bring it to work The mortgage settlement: A borrower's guide Watchdog launches inquiry into bank overdraft fees. Obama corporate overhaul takes aim at tax havens Who are you going to vote for in November? Whoever's your pick, you might want to keep your decision quiet when you're at work. Read Ruth Mantell's On the Job column today for more on why Election 2012 doesn't belong in the workplace. Plus, if you're struggling to pay your mortgage or suffered through a foreclosure, read Ron Orol's story today for more on how to get relief through the foreclosure settlement. And don't miss the latest housing-market data. Is a recovery in the air, at last? Some signs appear to point that way. —Andrea Coombes , Personal Finance editor Election 2012: Don't bring it to work You may have insightful views on the upcoming presidential election, or politics in general, but share those opinions sparingly, if at all, when you're at work. Election 2012: Don't bring it to work. Watchdog launches inquiry into bank overdraft fees The nation's consumer watchdog bureau on Wednesday launched an inquiry into fees charged by banks when consumers overdraw their accounts, a multi-billion-dollar business for financial institutions. Watchdog launches inquiry into bank overdraft fees. REAL ESTATE The mortgage settlement: A borrower's guide The record $26 billion foreclosure-abuse settlement that states and the Obama administration reached last week with five big banks is supposed to help more than 1 million U.S. homeowners. Here are answers to borrower questions about eligibility and whom to contact for help. The mortgage settlement: A borrower's guide. Housing recovery for real? Deutsche Bank says yes Of course the National Association of Realtors are cheerleaders. But the data released by the real-estate agent trade group, along with other housing and economic indicators, has turned the opinion of one major Wall Street house. Housing recovery for real? Deutsche Bank says yes S&P sees foreclosure inventory improving Standard & Poor's Ratings Services expects slow but gradual improvement in the foreclosure inventory in the upcoming quarters as the percentage of U.S. residential mortgage delinquencies and new foreclosures declined in the fourth quarter from the third quarter. S&P sees foreclosure inventory improving. Sales of existing homes up 4.3% in January Sales of U.S. existing homes rise 4.3% in January and inventories fall to nearly seven-year lows, as lower prices, unusually warm weather and an improving economy all lift demand. Sales of existing homes up 4.3% in January. TAXES Obama corporate overhaul takes aim at tax havens The White House corporate tax reform plan will, among other things, seek to end the ability of multinational companies to shift profits to low-tax countries like Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. Obama corporate overhaul takes aim at tax havens. Commentary: Both parties wrong on taxes? The top 1% pay a lot, write Peter Brimelow and Edwin S. Rubenstein, and most Americans face historically low tax rates. Both parties wrong on taxes? ECONOMY & POLITICS Weak PMI fans euro-zone recession fears Business activity across the euro area contracts unexpectedly in February, raising concerns about the region's ability to avoid a recession. Weak PMI fans euro-zone recession fears. Courchevel 1850 thrives in a bling bubble Haughty French ski resort draws in the monied crowd, seemingly unfazed by the economic crisis bubbling across Europe and the world. Courchevel 1850 thrives in a bling bubble. INVESTING Want to survive 2012? Better get prepared now After years of sluggish economic recovery, endless wars, and a skyrocketing national debt, the national zeitgeist has gone "Apocalypse Now." More people are preparing for the worst. Want to survive 2012? Better get prepared now. Get the latest news on our mobile site: http://www.marketwatch.com/m MarketWatch has sent you this newsletter because you signed up to receive it. To ensure you receive this newsletter in the future, please add marketwatchmail.com to your list of approved senders. Sent to: kumaresan.selva.blogger@gmail.com Unsubscribe | Subscribe Copyright 2012 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. MarketWatch, the MarketWatch logo, and BigCharts are registered trademarks of MarketWatch, Inc. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy (updated 6/26/07). MarketWatch - Attn: Customer Service, 201 California St., San Francisco, CA 94111