Bailout

A bailout refers to the prolonged financial support offered by the government or other financially stable organization to a business in the form of equity, cash, or loan to help it overcome certain losses and stay afloat in the market. It usually happens when a too big to fail company is on the verge of declaring bankruptcy or defaulting on its financial obligations.

Companies having an economic influence on a particular market sector and the economy need immediate capital injection during a financial crisis. When the government realizes that the collapse of such a firm could damage the national economy, it intervenes to save the business from becoming insolvent. This lending provision may or may not require the failing company to repay the amount lent.

• A bailout is a type of financial assistance provided by the government or other financially stable institutions in cash, equity, or a loan to prevent too large to fail companies from going bankrupt or defaulting on their financial obligations.
• The government comes to the rescue of influential companies to avoid the consequences of systemic financial risks that would damage the national economy.
• The failing firm may or may not get the financial assistance on a repayment basis in a bailout. In addition, interest-free or interest-bearing repayments are possible.
• During the financial crisis of 2008, the United States government introduced the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). It allowed the Treasury Department to buy toxic assets of failing banks and automakers and save them from becoming insolvent.

A market economy comprises several self-sufficient organizations dominating a particular market sector. Besides ensuring the smooth functioning of the overall markets, these businesses are of national economic importance. However, in times of financial crisis, these self-sufficient entities may find themselves in financial trouble. In such a situation, the government and other financially stable organizations inject capital into failing companies to avoid the consequences of systemic risks.

A bailout occurs when these corporate behemoths are on the verge of bankruptcy, have defaulted on their financial responsibilities, and are burdened with outstanding debts. The government and financial institutions lend such businesses required capital through cash infusions, loans, bonds, or stock purchases. However, the failing entity must face strict regulations and supervision in exchange for financial rescue. 

This financial support may or may not be available to the failing business on a repayment condition. In addition, the repayment may be interest-free or interest-bearing. Since the money utilized for this purpose comes from taxpayers and should go toward social welfare, the organizations must repay the amount once they have regained financial stability.

Bailout not only prevents the insolvency of too big to fail institutions and ensures their continued survival, but it also keeps the financial system from collapsing. Besides capital assistance, the financial rescue may come in the form of mergers and acquisitions. When other reputable market players take over failing enterprises, it is considered a bailout takeover.

Given the multi-billion dollar bailout funds required to save the economy from deteriorating, the obvious question is, where does this money come from?

As already stated, this capital is obtained from the income tax that the countrymen pay. The United States government entities - Federal Reserves and Treasury Department - take care of public finances. While the former acts as the central bank and provides funds for usage in the market economy, the latter collects taxes and manages public funds.

On the one hand, the government and financial institutions attempt to keep the economy afloat. On the other hand, they often become a victim of the developing distrust in public. As the expenditure made on bailouts is massive, the government borrowing increases. It directly affects the interest rates on savings accounts, which decreases over time. Also, monthly charges on individual bank accounts increase. Such repercussions make citizens feel cheated, resulting in trust issues.

The global financial crisis of 2008 is a classic case of the bailout of banks 2008. The then-U.S. government led by President George W. Bush introduced the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. This scheme intended to save too big to fail financial institutions from crumbling. The Treasury Department bought toxic assets of banks to avoid imminent economic collapse.

Let us look at some of the notable bailout examples in recent history:

Bailout Of Banks

Even a minute instability in financial institutions can have a significant impact on the overall economic system. It has already happened in the past when big banks and financial institutions granted low-credit-score borrowers loans in response to growing residential property prices. Bankers hoped to become wealthy quickly by using subprime mortgages and mortgage-backed securities. However, the subprime mortgage industry collapsed during the global financial crisis of 2008, resulting in a credit crisis.

During the financial crisis of 2008, the housing prices were high, but the number of defaulters was more. The banks waiting for these defaults had multiple housing properties to sell, but there were no buyers. In the process, the most affected were big investors. As they started losing a large amount of money on their investments, they bought mortgage-based securities and invested in Collateralized Debt Obligations.

Eventually, an insurance program evolved in the form of credit default swaps to back these securities. The American multinational finance and insurance company American International Group, Inc. (A.I.G.) sold millions of these policies to investors only to become a victim of the crisis.

The trading and credit markets faced turmoil, the stock market came to a standstill, and the American economy slipped into a state of recession. Multiple banks filed for bankruptcy; one of them was Lehman Brothers, while some waited for a miracle to save them from this dismay. As part of the government’s bailout of banks 2008, TARP authorized $700 billion to purchase assets of banks and other financial institutions, including A.I.G.

Later, the Federal Reserves stepped in for the financial rescue of banks through its Capital Purchase Program. The Wall Street bailout included the most influential financial institutions, such as State Street Corp, Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs Group, etc. 

Bailout Of Automobile Firms

The TARP program focused on bailing out banks and financial institutions, including the famous A.I.G. bailout. However, it also helped some automotive companies from becoming insolvent. The financial crisis of 2008 made it difficult for people to get auto loans due to strict lending terms, resulting in reduced automobile sales. When coupled with increased gas prices, it affected many automakers.

In December 2008, the Bush administration announced offering financial support to the automobile industry. It offered General Motors $13.4 billion as short-term finance under TARP. In April 2009, Barack Obama-led U.S. government provided a $2 billion working capital loan to the automotive firm, adding $4 billion to it a month later in May. In July the same year, General Motors exited bankruptcy. By December 2013, the firm had no shares remaining with the government. It sorted out all.

This has been a guide to What is Bailout and its Meaning. Here we discuss how bailout works, where bailout capital comes from, along with practical examples. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –

• Takeover
• Global Recession
• Current Account Deficit