Obama Will Meet With Top Bank Execs

Analysis of gov't data reveals sources of the economic meltdown

(NEWSER) - Some 21 of the top 25 subprime lenders that triggered the global economic collapse were either owned or financed by banks that ended up needing bailouts, an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity finds. Among the backers, who make huge profits on the subprime business, were Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, JPMorgan, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and AIG. More»

(NEWSER) - CEOs of the nation’s largest banks today assured President Obama they understand their institutions are vital to economic recovery and pledged to do all they can to help the government, Bloomberg reports. Following today’s White House meeting, Wells Fargo’s CEO said “the basic message” of the powwow “is we’re all in this together.” More»

Package bans cash bonuses for bailed-out firms' high earners

(NEWSER) - A late addition to the stimulus package puts tougher restrictions on executive pay at bailed-out financial institutions, reports the Wall Street Journal. The rules go further than the Obama administration proposed, affect more employees, and could seriously crimp the culture of gargantuan bonuses. The big one: Bonuses can't exceed one-third of annual salaries. If banks don't play along, they have to return their bailout money. More»

Obama proposal leaves wiggle room, and Wall St. usually good at finding it

(AP) - The squeeze on big paydays for executives of bailed-out banks will probably leave Wall Street plenty of wiggle room. Consultants on executive pay say the caps imposed by President Obama yesterday will probably apply only to a few executives—not star traders, brokers, and salespeople who routinely earn whopping pay packages. Others note Wall Street typically finds ways to exploit loopholes. More»

Obama, after pledge to be above the noise, falls prey to it instead

(NEWSER) - Sure, bankers make too much money, but President Obama’s ceiling “is just a misguided attempt to quiet the peanut gallery,” writes Megan Barnett in Portfolio. The $500,000-per-year executive cap will discourage banks from taking needed government cash, and drive away top talent. “Money is what motivates people to come to Wall Street,” she writes. “It’s not a public-service job, nor should it pay like one.” More»