LEHMANN CRASH In August 2007, Lehman closed its [subprime lender](file:///\wikiSubprime_lender), BNC Mortgage, eliminating 1,200 positions in 23 locations, and took a $25-million after-tax charge and a $27-million reduction in [goodwill](file:///\wikiGoodwill_%28accounting%29). The firm said that poor market conditions in the mortgage space "necessitated a substantial reduction in its resources and capacity in the subprime space". In 2008, Lehman faced an unprecedented loss due to the continuing [subprime mortgage crisis](file:///\wikiSubprime_mortgage_crisis). Lehman's loss was apparently a result of having held on to large positions in subprime and other lower-rated mortgage [tranches](file:///\wikiTranche) when securitizing the underlying mortgages; whether Lehman did this because it was simply unable to sell the lower-rated bonds, or made a conscious decision to hold them, is unclear. In any event, huge losses accrued in lower-rated mortgage-backed securities throughout 2008. In the second fiscal quarter, Lehman reported losses of $2.8 billion and was forced to sell off $6 billion in assets. In the first half of 2008 alone, Lehman stock lost 73% of its value as the credit market continued to tighten. In August 2008, Lehman reported that it intended to release 6% of its work force, 1,500 people, just ahead of its third-quarter-reporting deadline in September. On August 22, 2008, shares in Lehman closed up 5% (16% for the week) on reports that the state-controlled [Korea Development Bank](file:///\wikiKorea_Development_Bank) was considering buying Lehman.Most of those gains were quickly eroded as news emerged that Korea Development Bank was "facing difficulties pleasing regulators and attracting partners for the deal." It culminated on September 9, 2008, when Lehman's shares plunged 45% to $7.79, after it was reported that the state-run South Korean firm had put talks on hold Investor confidence continued to erode as Lehman's stock lost roughly half its...