Treasury

Regarding the story "38 more AIG execs get retention awards," Dec. 9: Like countless others, I wonder what is happening to the historic billions of taxpayer dollars that are being doled out. American International Group's recent actions justify our worst fears. Failure is again being rewarded. Instead of "retention," the better word "redundant" should be given them. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson has handed out billions to Wall Street. Has it done any good, or are they following the AIG pattern?

Re Tony Cuesta, the admitted mastermind and executor of several paramilitary raids against Cuba: I am struck with the double standard in this country. Why does our government shelter such criminals? And why is this dangerous fanatic allowed to live freely and collect disability checks from our treasury when his wounds were (received) during a raid against a duly constituted sovereign nation? We seem to have two criminal justice systems in this country, one for right-wing extremists, and one for the rest of us. S. TRAVIS SILCOX Chatsworth

Survey of 20 Orange County and L.A. County lenders as of 2/25/09 Compiled by HSH Associates, Financial Publishers; www.hsh.com -- Loans to $417,000 Week ended Week ended Week ended -- 2/25/2009 2/18/2009 8/27/2008 30-year fixed 5.25%+0.33pt 5.29%+0.34pt 6.64%+0.38pt 15-year fixed 5.03%+0.30pt 5.00%+0.23pt 6.16%+0.42pt $417,000 and up 30-year fixed 6.42%+0.67pt 6.73%+0.28pt 7.66%+0.72pt 15-year fixed 6.81%+0.50pt 6.50%+0.31pt 6.97%+0.72pt Home equity lines 4.82% 4.82% 5.65% Home equity loans 8.87% 8.87% 8.55% 6-month LIBOR 1.77% 1.78% 3.12% 1-year Treasury 0.64% 0.60% 2.12% 6-month Treasury 0.49% 0.45% 1.96% 6-month CD 1.78% 1.70% 3.11% Prime rate 3.25% 3.25% 5.00% 11th District 12/2008 11/2008 6/2008 cost of funds 2.757% 3.155% 2.829% --