Banks Put Hold on Chrysler Debt Sale

Failed investments in Chrysler, GMAC have clients pulling $5.5B

(NEWSER) - Hedge-fund investors are leaving once-vaunted investment firm Cerberus Capital Management in droves, the Wall Street Journal reports. The firm, whose acquisitions of Chrysler and GMAC turned disastrous, is seeing $5.5 billion in capital—or 71% of its hedge fund assets—walk out the door. "We have been surprised by this response," says CEO Stephen Feinberg. More»

(NEWSER) - The United Auto Workers are about to own Chrysler. In exchange for a variety of concessions, the union will eventually get a 55% majority share in the automaker, according to a summary of the restructuring deal, which was sent to union leaders late last night and reviewed by the Wall Street Journal. Fiat will eventually own 35% of the stock, with taxpayers and creditors divvying up the remaining 10%. More»

Government uses bailout funds used to buy stake in auto finance giant

(NEWSER) - The federal government is dishing out a $6 billion bailout to keep auto financing giant GMAC afloat, the New York Times reports. The Treasury Department will spend $5 billion to buy a stake in the former General Motors subsidiary, and will loan GM a further billion so the company can increase its 49% stake in GMAC. The money will come from the government's $700 billion bailout fund. More»

Fed approves GMAC's request to become bank-holding company

(NEWSER) - The Federal Reserve today approved a request by General Motors’ financial arm to become a bank-holding company so it can petition for money from the $700 billion bailout pot, the Wall Street Journal reports. GMAC would also have access to direct Fed loans, helping loosen credit and complement the $17.4 billion in emergency loans the White House has extended to GM and Chrysler. More»

Chrysler's private equity owner signals willingness to give up a stake

(NEWSER) - General Motors and Chrysler are back in merger talks, reports the Wall Street Journal. Negotiations fizzled weeks ago as both companies viewed a merger as impractical and a potential distraction from federal bailout talks. Chrysler owner Cerberus Capital Management took the initiative to restart talks, and has signaled a willingness to give up some of its stake in the automaker. The move may be viewed by federal lawmakers as a sign that the companies are willing to go the distance to help save themselves. More»