First package to unclog financial markets was
announced by President Bush on Tuesday saying the drastic steps were
"not intended to take over the free market but to preserve it."
Nice major banks will participate initially in this
plan. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said a U.S. financial
rescue plan would restore normality to markets. Although the
government had acted quickly, most banks were still solvent and able
to lend, Bernanke wrote.
Although the government had acted quickly, most banks
were still solvent and able to lend, Bernanke wrote.
The latest plan calls for a recapitalization of banks,
federal guarantees on new bank debt for three years and FDIC
insurance for non-interest bearing accounts. The $250 billion will
come from a $700 billion financial bailout program that was
originally approved by Congress. Financial firms that will use the
money would have to accept compensations on limits for
executives.
Government Plan:
- US Treasury will buy up to $250 billion in
preferred, nonvoting shares.
- Maximum purchase will be $25 billion per
institution.
- Preferred shares to pay 5 percent a year for
first 5 years, 9 percent after 5 years.
- Firms in program must adopt Treasury's standards
on executive pay and corporate governance.
FDIC Plan:
- FDIC will guarantee senior unsecured debt issued
by U.S-regulated banks, thrifts and other depository institutions
issued before June 30, 2009
- Debt would be fully protected in the event that
the issuing institution subsequently fails, or its holding company
files for bankruptcy.
- Fees for these guarantees would not rely on
taxpayer funding. They would be paid by participating banks that
would pay a 75 basis-point fee to protect their new debt issues and
a 10 basis-point surcharge for deposits not otherwise covered by the
existing deposit insurance limit of $250,000.
Some of the nations banks had to be pressured to take
part in $250 billion package. Secretary Paulson wanted first healthy
financial institutions. "We regret having to take these actions,"
Paulson said. "Today's actions are not what we ever wanted to do -
but today's actions are what we must do to restore confidence to our
financial system."
Under the new program government will buy stocks in
nine major banks. When financial markets stabilize and recover, the
banks are expected to buy back stocks from the government.
Federal Reserve announced that it would be buying
short term debt starting Oct.27. The administration plan is to spend
$250 billion on stock purchase plan and additional $100 billion for
covering bad assets. That would leave $350 billion out of $700
billion that should be spent by next president. Government expects
to spend all $250 billion by the end of the year.
However, skepticism remains how effective this program
will be. Some banks may simply say "No Thanks" as some banks had to
be pressured to take part of this package. Right now it may
solve confidence in the market as government is doing something, but
still mortgage market is not fixed.
So far no one knows what will work as blank checks are
given to Treasury; however the latest measures taken by government
might be the beginning of the solution.