Treasury Announces TARP Investment in GMAC

December 29, 2008 U.S. Treasure News Release:

Washington, DC –The Treasury Department today announced that it will purchase $5 billion in senior preferred equity with an 8% dividend from GMAC LLC as part of a broader program to assist the domestic automotive industry in becoming financially viable.

Under the agreement GMAC must be in compliance with the executive compensation and corporate governance requirements of Section 111 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, as well as enhanced restrictions on executive compensation.

GMAC will issue warrants to Treasury in the form of additional preferred equity in an amount equal to 5% of the preferred stock purchase that will pay a 9% dividend if exercised.

Additionally, the Treasury has agreed to lend up to $1 billion to General Motors so that GM can participate in a rights offering at GMAC in support of GMAC’s reorganization as a bank holding company. This commitment is in addition to the assistance previously announced for GM on Dec. 19. This loan will be exchangeable at any time, at Treasury’s option, into the GMAC equity interests being acquired by GM in the rights offering. Furthermore, this loan will be secured and will have other terms and conditions as outlined in the attached term sheet. The ultimate level of funding under this facility will be dependent upon the level of current investor participation in the rights offering at GMAC.

Treasury exercised this funding authority under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The preferred stock purchase and the loan to support GMAC’s rights offering are part of an auto industry-focused TARP program that will include the $17.4 billion in assistance for domestic automakers announced earlier this month.

As previously indicated, Treasury will work with Congress and the President-elect’s transition team on the appropriate timing for release of the remainder of the TARP funds to support financial market stability.

Bailout Lacks Oversight Despite Billions Pledged? Treasury Department Wants to Set the Record Straight…

Today the U.S. Treasury Department issued the following press release:

November 13, 2008
HP-1270

Setting the Record Straight

Today’s story in the Washington Post (“Bailout Lacks Oversight Despite Billions Pledged” – 11/13/2008) leaves out critical steps taken by Treasury to ensure that there is strong oversight in place as the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act is implemented.

  • Treasury worked with Congress to put strong oversight and transparency provisions in the bill and every reporting requirement in the statute has been fully met on time. All reports have been published on the Treasury’s website.
  • The law created a new Special Inspector General for the program, and that position has to be confirmed by the Senate. The Administration has been working to identify a qualified candidate and will work closely with the Senate when a nominee is chosen.
  • GAO has been on site from the beginning as Treasury has implemented the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. Within days of the bill being signed, the Acting Comptroller General spoke with Secretary Paulson and with Interim Assistant Secretary Kashkari. GAO has had a team of over a dozen specialists and senior executives working on all aspects of the program. GAO staff typically meets with Treasury staff several times a week. They have access to contract files as soon as each contract is completed, and they often begin their review of those files within 24 hours of a contract signing. Every contract is posted on the Treasury website.
  • The Financial Stability Oversight Board was organized and met within days of the bill’s enactment, well before the statutory deadline. EESA required the board to meet within 14 days of enactment, and monthly thereafter. In fact, the board met within 4 days of enactment, and has met 4 times in the 5 weeks since EESA was enacted. Meetings have been held both to review overall implementation of EESA as well as to consider establishment of the Capital Purchase Program and TARP’s investment in American International Group. It has published bylaws and meeting minutes, elected a chair, and appointed a secretary, counsel, and staff-level executive director.
  • Treasury has provided regular briefings to staff from the Congressional oversight committees and leadership offices on its implementation of the legislation.
  • Treasury is prepared to work closely with the Congressional Oversight Panel once it is established.

Click here to visit the original press release at the U.S. Treasury Department Website

Link to original Washington Post article:

Bailout Lacks Oversight Despite Billions Pledged