The fear hitting American finance will not subside dramatically until the value of mortgage-related securities is clearer and the size of investment houses' liabilities is known.

ECONOMIST: The Fed flexes its monetary muscle

Take all of your assets, subtract everything that you owe, all your liabilities, the result is a figure known as your net worth.

NPR: Women Of Color Lag Behind In Wealth

That said, GM has well-known problems: too much debt, too many dealers and brands, high labour costs, and crippling liabilities to pensioners.

ECONOMIST: The car industry