• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

FACTBOX: Key features of Senate auto bailout plan

Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:15am EST

(Reuters) - Senate Democrats proposed legislation on Monday authorizing $25 billion in rescue loans for automakers and their suppliers by amending an existing law implementing a $700 billion financial sector rescue fund.

Barack Obama  |  Deals

The White House and many Republicans in Congress oppose this approach, and instead advocate amending another program that gave U.S. automakers access to $25 billion in loans to retool their plants to meet new fuel-efficiency standards.

Lawmakers on both sides agree General Motors Corp, Ford Motor Co, and Chrysler LLC should not be given a "blank check" to survive their worst-ever downturn.

Here follows the major features of the proposal by Senate Democrats:

* The government would take warrants or senior debt for shares in exchange for extending the loans.

* Help would come with limits on executive compensation and a prohibition on the payment of dividends.

* Automakers would need to show a plan for ensuring continued competitiveness.

* Ten-year loans, or longer, at the Treasury secretary's discretion.

* A 5 percent interest rate for the first five years, 9 percent for the remaining term. No prepayment penalty.

* A federal board would oversee compliance with the loan terms.



More from Reuters

Photo

Investors seen jumping the gun on airport security

BANGALORE (Reuters) - Investors' optimism surrounding the shares of airport security systems makers could be premature as interest in the companies' products after the Christmas Day plane scare is not expected to translate into immediate orders.

A hiring sign hangs in a window at PETCO in Falls Church, Virginia June 5, 2009.REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Dust off your resumes

Employers say they'll be adding headcount in the coming year. Here's where the jobs will be.  Full Article 

Tiger Woods blows on his putter on the 10th hole during final round play of the Tournament Players Championship golf tournament at the TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida May 13, 2007.

Tiger's $12 billion scandal?

Shareholders of Tiger Woods' sponsors discover that along with the upside, there are big downside risks, too, a study shows.  Full Article