Backporch

David Blitzer
"Detroit is just a complete collapse. You can buy a home today for two-thirds what it cost 12 years ago."

Chairman of the Standard & Poor's index committee, saying that the housing market in several cities remains in distress despite signs of a budding recovery nationally.

Richard W. Fisher
"We're not helping the Homers and the Marges. We're helping the Mr. Burnses."

President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, expressing dismay about the impact of low interest rates on average Americans, with a reference to the television sitcom "The Simpsons".

Sen. Jim DeMint
"I think a lot of us are frustrated bank managers and want to manage your business for you."

South Carolina Republican, speaking to JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, after the company's controversial multibillion-dollar trading loss.

Deborah Hopkins
"I'm obsessed with Jack Dorsey."

Citigroup's chief innovation officer, praising the founder and CEO of the mobile payments startup Square.

Andrew Davis
"We have a planning assumption that virtual currencies will become mainstream in three to five years. How people place value on things won't just be with hard currency in the future and we're already seeing micro-currencies emerge around the world."

HSBC's global head of e-channels and strategy, speaking at a financial technology conference.

Bob Klinger
"In this environment, there is significant demand for an investment with a fixed return of 5 percent and 9 percent."

A partner at the Bryan Cave law firm, on why he doubts the Treasury Department would have to take a big haircut if it auctions off shares of about 325 banks still in the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Nancy Bush
"As Mr. Bernanke and his policies are so sadlyshowing us, there is no magic bullet that can cure over two decades of global profligacy."

Bank analyst at NAB Research, arguing that more bank capital isn't a panacea for preventing another crisis.

Bob Diamond
"There was a period of remorse and apology for banks. I think that period is over."

Former Barclays CEO, who resigned in July amid the Libor rate-fixing scandal, speaking (prematurely, as it turns out) in January 2011 to a committee of the U.K.'s House of Commons.

Peyton Patterson
"I think what we do has to be more than deposit-gatherers and loan-givers. I think we're being asked to play a much more important role in terms of our philanthropy and what we do."

BNC Financial Group's incoming CEO, on what people expect from banks these days.