Famous Last Words

#4 Ben Bernanke

I expect there will be some failures” of smaller banks. “Among the largest banks, the capital ratios remain good and I don't anticipate any serious problems of that sort among the large, internationally active banks that make up a very substantial part of our banking system.

—Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke in February 2008.

#3 Erin Callan

Categorically no.

Lehman Brothers CFO Erin Callan responding on March 18, 2008, to the question as to whether the firm would be the next to go out of business.

Callan was ousted from her job in June. In September, Lehman Brothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection..

See Mish Shedlock for more.