What's Your Housing Bubble Exposure?

Several readers want input on where to park their housing cash. "I'm looking for a new bank for my cash. The main thing i'm concerned with is stability in the event of trouble ahead. that and good rates on 6 to 12 month cd's." "And while we're on the subject, how safe is internet banking (Ing Direct etc). Finally, do you guys like the ibonds?" A reader responded, "I've used ING direct for about 5 years now, and haven't had any problems with it, yet. But lately with all the bad financial news banging about, I'm getting antsy about having my cash in a digital account. If you want to get it out in a hurry, you're out of luck. It takes at least 2-3 business days to transfer funds from Ing to your local bank, then you gotta hope your local bank's doors are still open for business." One reader broadened the subject. "I'd like to read about where other readers have their money invested. What the rate and terms are and if it has worked out for them. Did the bank/company give them what was offered, were there any hidden fees, for example to move money in or out, do they know what this bank/company invests in primarily, has anyone discovered something new, has anyone tried something new and did it work out?" "I'm seeing a lot more offers out there (some pretty good) and lots of them are from unknown banks, so I wanted to get an idea of which are the better more reputable ones to stick with. Also, if anyone has suggestions ideas for a good mutual fund with respect to sector or class. Such as ‘good to invest in bio-tech or perhaps energy funds’ or ‘good to invest in growth or emerging markets or maybe small cap.’" Another is curious about housing bubble exposure. "Which institutions are holding GSE-issued or private MBSs and CMOs (asian banks vs. American mutual/retirement funds)? Do asian central banks own more of the stuff, or do Americans (through their mutual/retirement/401K/IRA funds)?" "While GSE-issued debt is fairly easy to spot on a prospectus/annual report (look for Fannie & Freddie), how can you tell if your mutual fund also owns PRIVATELY-issued MBSs or CMOs?" This reader had some answers. "Have you used Weiss Ratings for bank safety ratings? Nobody is as conservative as Weiss when it comes to rating financial institutions. He has a much better track record than AM Best, Moody's, Fitches, etc, when it comes to warning subscribers of impending bank failure BEFORE the failure." "Just last night we got our annual Weiss ratings book in the mail. A number of banks no longer have the A+ rating, probably because they are exposed to local bubbly real estate markets." "Fortunately Farmer's and Merchants bank, right in Southern California, is one of the best banks in the country, at least by Weiss's standards. Even better, they know about their rating and work hard to maintain it." "My survival strategy has largely consisted of having a Treasury Direct account wired to my F&M savings account. I won't mess with any Treasury money funds from a mutual fund company that might have to go through a bank that, you get the idea."