CIT Strikes $3B Deal, Averting Bankruptcy

Treasury 'drawing line in sand,' says analyst

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration has rejected CIT Group's pleas for a bailout, and the troubled commercial lender is likely to file for bankruptcy as early as today, reports the Washington Post. CIT—which has already received $2.3 billion in TARP funds—provides financing to close to a million small- and medium-sized businesses, thousands of which may be badly hurt by the lender's demise. More»

(NEWSER) - One of America's biggest commercial lenders is preparing to file for bankruptcy, the Wall Street Journal reports. CIT Group, which lends to about a million small and medium-sized businesses, probably won't be able to make a $1 billion payment due in August and has hired bankruptcy counsel. In the meantime, it's pressing the government for help with "increased urgency," says one insider. More»

Bailed-out firm's move will cost government $2.3B

(NEWSER) - CIT Group, a major lender to small and medium-sized American businesses, filed for Chapter 11 today. The move means the government is most likely out the $2.3 billion in TARP bailout funds it put up last year. The "prepackaged" procedure is intended to allow CIT, which reported $71 billion in assets and $64.9 billion in liabilities, to emerge from bankruptcy protection by the end of the year, CNN Money reports. More»

Taxpayers shares could go up in smoke while Goldman gains

(NEWSER) - Troubled commercial lender CIT, circling the drain for more than a year, would cost taxpayers $2.3 billion in shares purchased by the Treasury Department if it files for Chapter 11 soon—but Goldman Sachs, which gave the lender emergency funding, stands to collect a $1 billion windfall if it goes bust. To hedge risk when it loaned CIT emergency funding, bailout-supported Goldman purchased credit default swaps that will pay out if CIT goes bust. Insiders told the Financial Times that Goldman may postpone collecting part of the money. More»

(NEWSER) - The bankrupt Tribune Company could emerge from protection with its top creditors—and not chairman Sam Zell—in charge, the Chicago Tribune reports. Zell exerts control based on $90 million he spent to secure the option of buying 40% of the company for $500 million, and a $250 million loan. Those numbers pale in comparison to the $8.6 billion Tribune owes lenders with first dibs on assets. More»