Treasury to Approve TARP Bailout Funds for Life Insurance Companies

February 9, 2009

Insurance companies that applied for capital injections from the government’s $700 billion financial bailout fund could get approval as soon as Monday, two sources familiar with the matter said Saturday.

Some insurance companies recently received approval to acquire banks, paving the way for them to participate in the government’s $250 billion capital injection program, which is part of the larger bailout fund.

The sources said those insurance companies could hear from the U.S. Treasury Department as soon as Monday about whether they will get cash in return for giving the government equity stakes.

About a dozen insurers have applied for capital injections, but it is unclear which companies will get approval.

Bank regulators last month approved applications from Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. and Lincoln National Corp. to become savings and loan holding companies, which is needed for them to be considered for the federal aid.

Genworth Financial Inc, a U.S. life and mortgage insurer, said last month the U.S. Office of Thrift Supervision was still processing its application to become a savings and loan holding company.

Insurance companies have been seeking federal funds since large third-quarter investment losses eroded capital.

(Reporting by Karey Wutkowski and Patrick Rucker; Editing by Peter Cooney)

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Latest Comments

  • February 11, 2009 at 10:11 am
    Malcolm says:
    'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson The stimulus will do nothing but further h... read more
  • February 10, 2009 at 3:12 am
    Gill Fin says:
    State Farm. Mutual company owned by PROUD POLICYHOLDERS. No government bailout needed, thank you. Our portfolio took a small hit but kept on ticking. Maybe somebody should poi... read more
  • February 10, 2009 at 12:49 pm
    Mo'Bama says:
    didn't you hear me last night??? Uhhhh, Government needs to ACT NOW!! I know that, uhhhhhh, the stimulus bill isn't perfect and has more pork in it than uhhhhhhh, a Weight Wat... read more
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