The Biggest Holders Of U.S. Debt

This is a fascinating list. It is a list that starts with the smallest debt holder and works its way to the biggest.
The list begins with number 15 - Taiwan - with a US debt holding of $126.9 billion and works its way to a surprising conclusion. I guarantee that you will be amazed at who is at number 1 and the amount involved.

 from www.cnbc.com

The Biggest Holders of US Government Debt

As the US government spends an unprecedented amount of money to fix the nation's economy, there is an equally great need to raise the cash to pay for it. This is accomplished through borrowing, whereby Uncle Sam sells Treasury securities of varying maturity. For investors, the government bills, notes and bonds are considered a safe financial product because they have a guaranteed rate of return, based on faith in future US tax revenues. The government has been partially funding operations via Treasury securities for decades. This borrowing adds to the national debt, which has recently surpassed the $14 trillion mark and is rising every day. The amount of debt is quickly approaching the federal debt ceiling, a legal limit to borrowing which currently stands at $14.294 trillion.  Much of that debt is held by private sector, but about 40 percent is held by public entities, including parts of the government. Here's who owns the most. By Paul Toscano Updated 18 Jan 2011

As the US government spends an unprecedented amount of money to fix the nation's economy, there is an equally great need to raise the cash to pay for it. This is accomplished through borrowing, whereby Uncle Sam sells Treasury securities of varying maturity. For investors, the government bills, notes and bonds are considered a safe financial product because they have a guaranteed rate of return, based on faith in future US tax revenues. The government has been partially funding operations via Treasury securities for decades. This borrowing adds to the national debt, which has recently surpassed the $14 trillion mark and is rising every day. The amount of debt is quickly approaching the federal debt ceiling, a legal limit to borrowing which currently stands at $14.294 trillion.  Much of that debt is held by private sector, but about 40 percent is held by public entities, including parts of the government. Here's who owns the most. By Paul Toscano Updated 18 Jan 2011 Source: US Treasury, US Federal Reserve & US Office of Debt Management // Photo: Getty Images http://www.cnbc.com/id/29880401/The_Biggest_Holders_of_US_Government_Debt" title="Add to Twitter" rel="nofollow">Twitter LinkedIn More Share Read more at www.cnbc.com