8. During 2007, nearly 1.3 million U.S. housing properties were subject to foreclosure activity, up 79% from 2006. Major banks and other financial institutions around the world have reported losses of approximately US$435 billion as of 17 July 2008. During the week of September 14, 2008 the crisis accelerated, developing into a global financial crisis.resulting in the bankrupcy of some of the world’s biggest financial institutes..