• Northern Trust (NTRS, news, msgs), based in Chicago, has one of the best fundamental performance records in the business. Its profits are one standard deviation above those of its peers through June 30, and its loan default rate in the second quarter this year was just 0.03%. The main reason is that its noninterest income is four times greater than its net interest income, meaning that it doesn't depend on loans to make a profit. Whalen believes its performance margin compared with those of its peers will widen over the next few quarters as banks with more credit exposure take a beating.
  
• US Bancorp (USB, news, msgs), based in Minneapolis, still has a return on equity of 22% and has a high proportion of its income coming from nonloan services. It has charged off 1% of its total loans and is adding to loan-loss reserves at a 2-1 ratio without cutting dividends, which speaks well for management. Whalen says it is very unlikely that US Bancorp, "one of the best-performing commercial banks in the world," will ever need to obtain additional capital or sell itself to outsiders.
  
• Washington Federal (WFSL, news, msgs), a thrift based in Seattle, reported a 10.1% return on equity through the second quarter, compared with a negative 4% for peers. Returns have tracked a full standard deviation above those of its rivals. Its main operating unit reported just 0.21% of loan defaults versus 1.26% for its peers. It has received advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank system equal to 16% of its assets, but its strong capital position and profitability still make it a top choice for cash deposits.
  
• Charles Schwab Bank (SCHW, news, msgs), based in San Francisco and the thrift subsidiary of a discount brokerage, has an "eye-popping" return on equity of 27%, which is 1.26 standard deviations above those of its peers, making it almost countercyclical. With virtually no credit losses in the second quarter, Whalen calls the thrift subsidiary of Schwab a "pretty safe place to stash your loot" and says it deserves kudos for its success in a declining credit market.
  
• Bank of Hawaii (BOH, news, msgs), based in Honolulu, sports a return on equity of 26% and is a full standard deviation above its peers in funding its loans. With just a 0.46% charge-off rate and high average maturity of its loans, Whalen thinks it has done a beautiful job in a tough environment.
  

Source:  http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/SuperModels/5BanksSafeFromTheStorm.aspx?page=2

"On tax policy, health care reform, trade, government spending, and a long list of other issues, we offer very different choices to the American people," McCain says at every turn.

Concurs Obama: "When it comes to the economy, John McCain and I have a fundamentally different vision of where to take the country." --- Real Clear Politics 6/17/2008

"Presidential candidates...offering sharply contrasting remedies for the country's ailing economy"

"McCain says "Barack Obama would ...raise taxes for Americans of every background" where McCain "has emphasized lower taxes"--- New York Times 6/10/2008

"Obama ... derides McCain's plans to extend the Bush Administration's tax cuts, eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax, and slash corporate taxes."--- Business Week  6/12/2008

"WASHINGTON — Senator McCain assailed Senator Obama's approach as the "single largest tax increase since the Second World War."--- New York Sun 6/10/2008

Very funny example of what a conversation might be like between old Bill and new Bill....

http://www.236.com/news/2008/04/23/if_they_imd_old_bill_clinton_a_1_6032.php