October 1, 2008
...In this issue we try to provide some thoughtful perspective on this unique moment in the history of American mortgage finance. And who better to provide genuine perspective than a historian? So we turned to an expert on the history of real estate finance in the United States-Professor Richard K. Green, director of the Lusk Center for Real Estate in USC's Marshall School of Business. His article, "How Did We Get Here?" offers a look back at the very beginnings of our system of mortgage finance starting with the Great Depression. It provides a glimmer of hope that sometimes out of great crisis can come good government and solid public policy that stands the test of time. Let's hope that's what we get-once all the dust has settled...