The year 2008 is known for a significant event in financial history, commonly referred to as the “2008 Financial Crisis” or the “Great Recession.” It was a global economic downturn that originated in the United States and had a profound impact on financial markets worldwide. Here are some key points about the 2008 market:

1. Trigger: The crisis was triggered by a combination of factors, including the bursting of the U.S. housing bubble, subprime mortgage defaults, and the subsequent collapse of several major financial institutions.
2. Stock Market: Stock markets experienced a severe decline during this period. In the United States, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the S&P 500 index both saw significant drops. The global stock markets also faced substantial losses.
3. Housing Market: The U.S. housing market experienced a substantial decline, leading to a wave of foreclosures and a significant drop in housing prices. This had a negative impact on financial institutions heavily exposed to mortgage-backed securities.
4. Bank Failures: Several prominent financial institutions faced severe financial distress or collapsed entirely, including Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, and Washington Mutual. This led to a loss of confidence in the financial sector and further intensified the crisis.
5. Government Intervention: To stabilize the markets and prevent a complete collapse of the financial system, governments around the world implemented various measures. These included bailouts of troubled financial institutions, stimulus packages, and interest rate cuts by central banks.
6. Global Economic Impact: The 2008 financial crisis had far-reaching consequences beyond the financial sector. It resulted in a global recession, high unemployment rates, and a slowdown in economic growth in many countries. The effects were felt across multiple industries and had a significant impact on individuals and businesses worldwide.

Some of the Key factors of 2008 Financial Crisis

It is not accurate to attribute the crisis to a single individual or entity. However, here are some key factors and contributors to the 2008 financial crisis:

1. Subprime Mortgages: One of the main catalysts of the crisis was the proliferation of risky subprime mortgages. These mortgages were extended to borrowers with poor creditworthiness and had higher default rates than traditional mortgages.
2. Financial Institutions: Several major financial institutions played a role in the crisis. Some of them, such as Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, and Merrill Lynch, had significant exposure to subprime mortgages and related securities. The collapse or near-collapse of these institutions had a severe impact on the financial system.
3. Mortgage Lenders: Mortgage lenders who originated subprime mortgages, including both banks and non-bank lenders, contributed to the crisis by offering loans to borrowers who were unable to repay them. These loans were then packaged into complex financial products known as mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and sold to investors.
4. Credit Rating Agencies: Credit rating agencies, which assign ratings to financial products, failed to adequately assess the risks associated with mortgage-backed securities and other complex financial instruments. They assigned high ratings to many securities that ultimately suffered significant losses.
5. Regulatory Failure: Some critics argue that regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Reserve, did not effectively supervise and regulate the financial industry. They failed to identify and address the risks and vulnerabilities that ultimately led to the crisis.