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Geithner out Corzine in?

Bruce Krasting's picture




 

We had the story about a month ago regarding the future of TSec Tim Geithner. The suggestion was that post a debt ceiling deal good old Tim would be out of a job. That might be in the works.

I’m not sure who to blame for the fiasco in DC the past few weeks. I think a lot of folks have their hands dirty in this mess. But certainly Geithner deserves his share of the blame. Tim is also a vestige from another era. He is as responsible as anyone for TARP. The case for sending him packing is pretty strong.

The question is when, and who will replace him. I found something in a bond offering that gives a clue. I’ve not seen this kind of language before. I think it tells us where this is headed.

MF Global is coming to market with $300mm of senior notes. By itself, this is a routine deal. But this one has some kickers to it that have me scratching my head. Jon Corzine is the CEO over at MF. Jon is ex Goldman and ex governor of NJ. A very powerful guy. He is also a solid Democrat and big supporter of Obama.

There is a unique feature in the MF Global deal. The interest rate on the bonds rise a full one percent if one conditions is met in the future. What is that condition?

The issue carries a notable “key man event” trigger, mandating a 100 bps increase in the interest rate if the company’s chief executive officer, Jon Corzine, is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed for a role in the federal government before July 1, 2013.

Lawyers pore over bond deals. This one is no exception. As part of the due diligence someone must have asked Corzine how long he would be the CEO at MF. His answer must have been, “I’m staying until the President calls me with an offer”. The language in the bond deal has to mean that Corzine is already talking with the White House.

Corzine is a big shot (he had equal responsibilities at Goldie as did Hank Paulson). He would not consider a low level job in DC. So it has to be Tsec that he is after.

Let the dust settle for a month or so on both the debt deal and the MS bond offering and we are going to see a new guy at Treasury. Another Goldmanite. Just what we need….

 

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Wed, 08/03/2011 - 08:48 | 1520071 knukles
knukles's picture

Give the guy a break, He can't be all that bad, after all he was Le Grande Fromage of the Vampire Squid and they profited nicely during those years.

And Karolina Kottova (EU token paralaplegic mute spokesperson who said waving her hands about wildly, that there was no plan for the EU, Euro, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the ECB, the ESEF (or whatever its called), the UK, Stephen Spielberg, and the Gimp has a home if he wants one.

Everything's good in this slice of reality programming.

Next up, US Treasury initiates an abandoned Storage Facility Recovery and Used Crap Discovery Team.

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 18:28 | 1522222 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

Hmmm... Would you be willing to exchange him with our next ECB Chairmen Mr. Draghi? He is lower in the Squid hierarchy.

You can't have always the Top Squid Henchmen, we want the Royal Treatment too...

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 12:20 | 1520936 RockyRacoon
RockyRacoon's picture

There would be only ONE reason for this appointment:  Help in Obama's re-election.  No other possible, credible reason.   Whatever havoc Corzine could wreak in that position would be collateral damage to the economy, the populace, and those who understand why.

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 20:07 | 1522422 dark pools of soros
dark pools of soros's picture

why do people still think that canidates and political parties call any shots at all?  They do as their owners tell them.  If TPTB want some other area of USA racketeering they will find the best canidate to run for those interests and have them fiddle on the roof for their cause

Health Care and Wall Street had a field day with Obama in the seat..  figure out what other area is next and there you will see the next prez emerge

Obama already did his job so he might not need 2 terms like some of the others have

They might even let Ron Paul get elected if 'austerity' and a depression is in the cards

 

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