by Calculated Risk on 2/25/2009 06:15:00 PM

Form Bloomberg: Lewis Says Merrill, Countrywide Are ‘Stars’ This Year

Bank of America Corp. Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Lewis said Merrill Lynch & Co. and Countrywide Financial Corp., the acquisitions that some analysts say helped push down the bank’s share price, have been “stars” so far this year.

At first glance this seems absurd. One analyst is quoted in the story saying "I almost fell off my chair". However if you separate the acquired toxic assets from the ongoing performance, I can understand Lewis' comments. Countrywide is benefiting from the refinance boom. Most (if not all) of these loans are being sold to Fannie and Freddie (or guaranteed by them).

The key question is how toxic are the toxic assets BofA acquired with Merrill and Countrywide? Oh well, the Capital Assistance Program is here to help.