The Wall Street Journal has a fascinating look inside the meeting, between Treasury Secretary Paulson, Fed Chief Bernanke, and the heads of America's major banks, which led to the partial nationalization of the nine largest US banks:
The participants, among the nation's best deal makers, were in a peculiar position. They weren't allowed to negotiate. Mr. Paulson requested that each of them sign. It was for their own good and the good of the country, he said, according to a person in the room.
During the discussion, the most animated response came from Wells Fargo Chairman Richard Kovacevich, say people present. Why was this necessary, he asked. Why did the government need to buy stakes in these banks?
Morgan Stanley Chief Executive John Mack, whose company was among the most vulnerable in the group to the swirling financial crisis, quickly signed.
Toward the end of the meeting, Bank of America's Kenneth Lewis said the debate had lasted long enough, and everyone needed to sign...
...U.S. officials argued the plan represented a good deal for the banks: The government would be buying preferred shares, and thus wouldn't dilute their common shareholders. And the banks would pay a relatively modest 5% in annual dividend payments.
The meeting ended at about 4 p.m. By 6:30 p.m., all of the sheets had been turned in and signed by the CEOs. No second meeting was held.
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