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Fears are mounting that many Wall Street banks and financial firms will refuse to participate in the US Government's $700 billion bailout package, leaving global markets and world economies in a perilous state.
"There is a growing feeling that banks ... might instead decide to tough it out," said Thomas Caldwell, chairman and CEO of Caldwell Financial, a $1 billion-plus fund manager.
The rescue bill was eventually passed late on Friday, after the inclusion of US$149 billion of tax breaks and strict rules for participating banks.
But some analysts believe the addition of so many terms to the bill might deter potential participants.
One of the least attractive elements is a section designed to curb executive pay at banks that participate in the bailout package. These include limiting stock-related pay and banning "golden parachutes" for executives.
"I think this hodge-podge of regulations and rules will be enough to put many [chief executives] off participating," Caldwell said.
Sources close to Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch indicated the banks might choose not to participate in the bailout as there is a growing view on Wall Street that the market may be bottoming out.
Some analysts also believe that the mere presence of the Government as buyer of last resort will be enough to get credit markets moving again, and that a large number of banks would not need to take part for the legislation to succeed.
Wall Street ended its worst week in seven years on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down more than 157 points at 10,325.38.
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