These Lenders May Not Be Missed

摘要

While auto chiefs sat before Congress begging for a bailout in early December, private student lenders were quietly asking for money at the Ritz Carlton in Arlington, Va. In a posh ballroom under glittering chandeliers, Federal Reserve officials and industry executives discussed a $200 billion stimulus package designed to jump-start consumer lending. But it's not clear whether the plan will revive the market for private student loans-or whether the market needs help at all, since federal funds are filling the void. College-bound students can tap two sources for loans, the government or private lenders. Often unaware of their federal options, families have flocked to private firms, which during the era of easy money made it relatively painless to get funds. Although Uncle Sam is still readily handing out cash, private players, including two of the largest in student lending- Sallie Mae and First Marblehead-have grown increasingly wary amid the crisis.