If you think the U.S. economy is descending into a bottomless pit, hold off. But if you’re reasonably optimistic long-term, these banks are well worth considering for income-oriented investors.

Jason Simpkins of Money Morning gives us a look of what stocks Warren Buffett is buying into this year. He says that “Buffett didn’t fare much better than anybody else in 2008. But the Oracle of Omaha remains optimistic, convinced that investors who brave today’s fierce financial tempest will be rewarded in the long run.”

Gold showed a little life in Far East trading on Tuesday morning…and the bottom was in at the usual 3:00 a.m. New York time…shortly before the London open. From there, it edged higher until noon in London. Then, it and silver were off to the races…but both ran into a brick wall shortly after the Comex opened.

President Barack Obama’s $825 billion stimulus plan heads to the floor of the House of Representatives this week, with House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, saying many in his party will vote against the package unless significant changes are made.

The only reports on the calendar this week are housing related, and it got me thinking: what’s left? Pretty much nothing. As the fairy tale goes, the big bad wolf doesn’t even need to huff and puff; the house has already been blown down.

Bank of American Corp. (BAC), which is getting $15 billion from the U.S. government as part of the Treasury Department’s $250 billion “recapitalization” effort, is doubling its stake in state-owned China Construction Bank Corp., and will hold a 20% stake worth $24 billion in China’s second-largest lender when that deal is finalized.

The board of directors of Citigroup Inc. (C) will meet today to look at beleaguered banking giant’s options after its shares hit a 15-year low, and speculation is escalating that it will have to look at a break-up, spin-off or sale of at least part of the bank.

Embattled U.S. banking giant Citigroup Inc. (C) has agreed to buy back $17.4 billion of assets remaining in a series of funds known as structured investment vehicles, or SIVs, after it previously agreed to guarantee the liabilities in those funds.

The Treasury’s plan to inject $250 billion in capital directly into US banks is underway. But William Patalon III says some of these taxpayer funds will be used by big banks to acquire junior competitors. This means the increase in lending that the plan is supposed to spark will be modest at best. And less competition in the banking sector could mean a rise in fees going forward.

Pfizer Profit Triples; Kerkorian Dumps Ford; U.S. Bancorp Profit Nearly Halved; Oil Back Below $72; Avigen’s Drug Trial Mishap; OceanFreight Sails to Strong Dividend; Copper’s Costly Tumble; McClatchy’s Slack Ad Sales