Since peaking at nearly 2.5 million in June of 2007, the number of small loans to businesses has plummeted 39 percent, data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) shows.

FORBES: Where have the Small Loans to Business Gone?

Despite the limp economic recovery and political gridlock in the US, and the simmering European debt crisis, the Vix has continually been ground lower over the past year, and touched 13.2 points on Wednesday, the lowest since June 2007.

CNN: Fear index plummets to a 5?-year low