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Title
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Interest rates on consumer and commercial loans: Why the difference?
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Date
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1985
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Summary
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This paper, using the period from May 1982 to May 1983 as a case study, will examine the reasons for the inflexibility of rates charged by banks on consumer loans relative to rates charged by banks on business loans. The first half of the paper will attempt to establish the differences, and the reasons for such differences, in changes between consumer loan rates and commercial loan charges. The second half of the paper will analyze the reasons for these differences in light of bank yields on outstanding loans to consumers and businesses from 1966 through 1983. Finally, current data will be examined from the point of view of the conclusions reached in the report.
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Title
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Mediasat: The use of remote-sensing satellites by news agencies
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Date
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1987
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Summary
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Some members of the news media are interested in the possible use of a remote sensing satellite system for news gathering, referred to here as Mediasat. The technology is available to build and operate it, but it is not clear whether there is sufficient demand to finance a Mediasat system. This paper addresses issues relating to Mediasat, including: national security limits on sensor technology, international reaction to Mediasat, and existing legislation on private remote sensing satellites. Currently, the Unites States has a limit on the resolution of sensors that can fly on civilian satellites. If the media wants to fly higher resolution sensors, they may have to challenge these national security restrictions. However, if the United States does not develop higher resolution satellites, some fear that other countries will, causing the United states to lose its lead in civilian remote sensing satellite technology. The Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act of 1984 designated the Department of Commerce as the licensor of new remote sensing satellites, and reinforces the role of the Deparment of Defense in overseeing national security interests in the licensing process. There is some concern that the Department of Commerce or Defense might invoke national security limitations when they were not necessary, thus restricting the freedom of the press. Other countries could react negatively to the publication of more detailed remote sensing images of their countries. Although there have been proposals for an international system to operate an advanced remote sensing or reconnaissance satellite for peaceful purposes, these proposals have not proceeded.
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