by Calculated Risk on 9/25/2008 04:58:00 PM
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Bailout: Agreement on Principles
Agreement on PrinciplesNot much here. We need details on the equity sharing and other provisions.
1. Taxpayer Protectiona. Requires Treasury Secretary to set standards to prevent excessive or inappropriate executive compensation for participating companies2. Oversight and Transparency
b. To minimize risk to the American taxpayer, requires that any transaction include equity sharing
c. Requires most profits to be used to reduce the national debta. Treasury Secretary is prohibited from acting in an arbitrary or capricious manner or in any way that is inconsistent with existing law3. Homeownership Preservation
b. Establishes strong oversight board with cease and desist authority
c. Requires program transparency and public accountability through regular, detailed reports to Congress disclosing exercise of the Treasury Secretary’s authority
d. Establishes an independent Inspector General to monitor the use of the Treasury Secretary’s authority
e. Requires GAO audits to ensure proper use of funds, appropriate internal controls, and to prevent waste, fraud, and abusea. Maximize and coordinate efforts to modify mortgages for homeowners at risk of foreclosure4. Funding Authority
b. Requires loan modifications for mortgages owned or controlled by the Federal Government
c. Directs a percentage of future profits to the Affordable Housing Fund and the Capital Magnet Fund to meet America’s housing needsa. Treasury Secretary’s request for $700 billion is authorized, with $250 billion available immediately and an additional $100 billion released upon his or her certification that funds are needed
b. final $350 billion is subject to a Congressional joint resolution of disapproval