Geithner’s decision whether to
extend the $700 billion Wall Street bailout before the end of the year
pits politics versus prudence.
Prudence dictates an
extension. Politically, the smart move is to allow the TARP to
terminate and pivot to deficit reduction, according to several industry
sources.
“Extending TARP makes sense in terms of the
economy,” said Scott Talbott of the Financial Services Roundtable, “but
it would be extremely unpopular politically.”
An extension would run through next October.
While
Wall Street banks are handing out bonuses and markets are rising, there
are worries that a new bubble, particularly in financial stocks, is now
forming, in large part because of the government intervention.
“I think they are in a bit of a bind,” said one financial lobbyist.
Extending
the TARP would give Treasury a cushion of approximately $210 billion in
unspent TARP funds, plus tens of billions more that are expected to be
paid back over the next 12 months.
Pressure is building to do new things with TARP, given the 10.2 percent unemployment figure and a lack of lending by banks.
“We need a rainy day fund in case it rains,” said one lobbyist who supports an extension.
Yet
few pieces of legislation have been less popular, and a request for an
extension would not be seen favorably on Capitol Hill, two financial
industry sources said.
The AFL-CIO has not taken a position
on the issue. Neither have associations representing small and large
banks, including the American Bankers Association.
Paul
Merski, chief economist for the Independent Community Bankers of
America, said restrictions and rules associated with the TARP funds,
including compensation limits, make the program unattractive.
“There are plenty of banks that would like to shore up capital, but TARP isn’t the way to do it,” he said.
Others
believe that behind the scenes, banks would be happy to see the program
extended, though they are loath to say so publicly. Doing so would
immediately lead to calls for the program to end, one lobbyist noted.