I'm back from vacation and....

Ready to hear what you think. The issue at hand: The SEC charged Andrew Mozilo and other former high-ranking Countrywide Financial executives with fraud.

What exactly is the alleged fraud? Making subprime loans with a wink and a nod and no attention to what would happen to the borrowers in the end? Not somehow mentioning how loose the lending standards had become? Making so many shaky loans that eventually credit markets blew up? Giving false hope to those who should never have been homeowners? Leaving neighborhoods riddled with foreclosures?

Yes, a list of frauds. Do you have one to add?

All this wasn't exlcusive to Countrywide, of course. And courts will sort it out.

Meanwhile, if you’re interested in catching my next speech about personal finance, it’s at noon tomorrow.

Join me at the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s Women Owners, Managers, Executives Network luncheon. .

It’s at Memorial Hospital South, 3600 Washington St., Hollywood. Tickets are $20 for members, $30 for non-members and $40 at the door. 954-923-4000 or www.hollywoodchamber.org.