The market crash of 2007-2008, also known as the Global Financial Crisis

The market crash of 2007-2008, also known as the Global Financial Crisis, was the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. It resulted in the collapse of large financial institutions, a sharp decline in stock markets worldwide, and significant government interventions to rescue struggling businesses.

The crisis had its roots in a combination of factors, including the following:

1. Housing bubble: In the early 2000s, there was a rapid increase in housing prices in the United States, fueled by low-interest rates, easy access to credit, and speculation. This led to a housing bubble, with many people buying homes they couldn't afford, expecting prices to continue rising.

2. Subprime lending: During this time, banks and other financial institutions began to offer mortgages to borrowers with poor credit histories or limited incomes, known as subprime lending. These high-risk loans were often bundled with other mortgages and sold as mortgage-backed securities (MBS) to investors.

3. Financial innovation and deregulation: Financial innovation in the form of complex financial instruments, such as collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) and credit default swaps (CDS), allowed investors to bet on the performance of these mortgage-backed securities. Additionally, deregulation of the financial sector enabled banks to take on more risk.

4. Leverage: Many financial institutions took on excessive amounts of debt to invest in mortgage-backed securities and other risky assets. This high leverage left them vulnerable to declines in asset values.

The crisis began to unfold in 2007, when housing prices started to fall, and many homeowners defaulted on their mortgages. As a result, the value of mortgage-backed securities declined, causing significant losses for financial institutions and investors.

In 2008, the crisis escalated as major financial institutions, including Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, and AIG, faced severe liquidity problems and risked collapse. This led to a series of government interventions, including bailouts and the nationalization of some banks. Additionally, central banks around the world took measures to stabilize financial markets, such as cutting interest rates and injecting liquidity into the banking system.

The financial crisis had severe consequences for the global economy. Many countries experienced recessions, with millions of people losing their jobs and facing financial hardships. The crisis also led to a reevaluation of risk management practices and financial regulations, resulting in the implementation of more stringent regulations, such as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in the United States.

In summary, the 2007-2008 financial crisis was a complex event that stemmed from a combination of factors, including a housing bubble, subprime lending, financial innovation, deregulation, and excessive leverage. The crisis resulted in the collapse of major financial institutions, government interventions, and a severe global recession.