It is becoming increasingly difficult for banks to hold off writing down mortgage assets. (FT Alphaville, naked capitalism)

Will investment banking mergers help? (DealBook)

Eddie Lampert is underwater in his big Citigroup (C) investment. (DealBook)

The challenges of trying to pick the bottom in the financial stocks. (PowerSwings.com)

Financial sector bear markets revisited. (Bespoke Investment Group)

“It might seem an odd time for private-equity firms to set a fund-raising record.” (Deal Journal)

Some much needed perspective on the market’s gyrations. (Howard Lindzon)

“In summary, the ingredients for a market rally are now falling into place.” (TheStreet.com)

“Attention K-mart shoppers, Blue Light Special in Aisle 3: Corporate America!” (Epicurean Dealmaker)

Apparently there is a bullish case to be made for the U.S. dollar. (Infectious Greed)

A graphical representation of the rise in the Canadian dollar. (ETF Trends)

Trying to get a handle on the drop in the U.S. dollar. (A Dash of Insight)

10 reasons why $100 oil is not sustainable. (breaking views/WSJ.com)

These oil ETFs are just not working as intended. (NakedShorts)

“All traders lose money; it’s how you trade when you’re down that makes all the difference.” (TraderFeed)

How much stock screening do you do? (World Beta)

Comcast (CMCSA) needs to get more aggressive to compete with the phone companies. (GigaOM.com)

Talk about sweeping bad behavior under the rug. (Market Movers)

What is the proper price-to-rent ratio? (EconLog)

What is the source of growing income inequality? (Mankiw Blog)

Scott Adams is the 21st most influential living management thinker. (Times Online)

An economist on the mysteries of dating. (Slate.com)

Have we missed something notable in the investment blogosphere? Then feel free to drop Abnormal Returns a line.