“What began as a subprime lending problem has spread to other, less risky mortgages and contributed to excess home inventories that have pushed down home prices for responsible homeowners.”

Henry Merritt “Hank” Paulson Jr. is an American investment banker and financier. He served as the 74th United States secretary of the treasury from 2006 to 2009, after leading Goldman Sachs as chairman and chief executive officer. Before entering government, Paulson built his career in high finance at Goldman Sachs, where he held the firm’s top leadership roles. He is known for his work in investment banking and for his time at the Treasury Department.