Wall Street Journal

POINT OF VIEW: The Volcker Rule, Or Volcker Rules

By Neal Lipschutz

A DOW JONES NEWSWIRES COLUMN

At least for the day, the most powerful man in the U.S. financial industry and for equities markets is 82 years old, a man who ended his leadership of the Federal Reserve more than 20 years ago.

But Paul Volcker is back. Big time. Reportedly on the margins of the Obama administration even in his current role as an adviser, “the tall guy behind me,” in the words today of President Barack Obama, is back on stage figuratively and literally.

As the president announced two major initiatives that would radically change the world of America’s big banks, he was flanked by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and adviser Larry Summers. He also had with him two key Congressional leaders, Rep. Barney Frank (D., Mass.) and Sen. Christopher Dodd (D., Conn.).

Continue reading…

Tags: , , , , ,

White House Aims To Cut Deficit With TARP Cash

By Deborah Solomon and Jonathan Weisman
From THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, under pressure to show it is serious about tackling the budget deficit, is seizing on an unusual target to showcase fiscal responsibility: The $700 billion financial rescue.

The administration wants to keep some of the unspent funds available for emergencies, but is considering setting aside a chunk for debt reduction, according to people familiar with the matter. It is also expected to lower the projected long-term cost of the program — the amount it expects to lose — to as little as $200 billion from $341 billion estimated in August.

Continue reading…

Tags: , , , ,