Thinking about investing in a business or institution? Do we have a tip for you! The Fed announced today that they're considering making it easier for private equity firms and other outside sources to invest in banks, reports the Wall Street Journal. Because nothing says "solid investment" like throwing cash at an industry marked this year by fraud indictments, rogue traders, the collapse of a major institution, lay-offs and, oh yeah, serious losses.

Of course, where there's a train wreck, there's typically opportunity. And there's something to be said for bailing out the institutions that help support the economy. Given the chance (translation: you had hundreds of millions to burn), would you consider investing in a bank right now?

Postscript: This picture is for real.