Summary

In December of 2008, GM approached Congress and asked for a bridge loan to allow them to restructure. While the House passed legislation to accomplish this, it was not passed through the Senate. Days later, the Bush administration initiated a loan through the TARP program which would provide $14 Billion in loans and stock purchases to GM and follow many of the guidelines that were sought in that legislation. This included a restructure plan that would have to be approved by the Obama administration.

In February of 2009 GM presented their plan to the Obama administration. The plan was seen as preferential to union workers by bondholders and many stated their intention to oppose it. In March of 2009 President Obama announced that he was not accepting the viability plan put forth by GM, but that he was authorizing more funds to keep the company afloat. President Obama also initiated programs to provide funds to companies that supply parts to GM and Chrysler.

GM was placed into bankruptcy on June 1, 2009 and the company was supplied with an additional $30.1 Billion dollars, bringing the total loans and stock purchases to $50 Billion. The company was made a private entity at that time.

The bankruptcy restructuring plan agreed upon by the government and GM gave the US government a 60% share in the company and gave the Canadian government a 12% share. The United Auto Workers gave up a health and savings plan worth $20 Billion in exchange for a 17.5% share in the company and over $8 Billion in debt and preferred stock. Bondholders held $27 Billion in stock prior to the collapse and received only a 10% equity share in the new GM company. 

Throughout the bankruptcy process, President Obama stated that he had not desire to run a car company and would not interfere with daily GM business. This is at odds with numerous actions taken before and after the bankruptcy filings.

• Days before GM was placed into bankruptcy, the Obama administration demanded and received the resignation of company CEO Rick Wagoner.
• The Obama administration pushed for the closing of numerous GM dealerships
• The substance of the bankruptcy settlement was heavily tilted to favor unions - a result that many people suggest would not have occurred without political motivations
• The bankruptcy settlement allowed the US government, the Canadian, and the UAW Union to appoint chairs of the board - an action that would directly change the direction of the company for years

The TARP program established specific rules on what could be purchased with the funds. These rules stated that only Preferred Stock or Common stock without voting rights could be purchased. The reason for this was to prevent the government from controlling a company it purchased stock in through TARP funds. President Bush violated those rules when he used the money to provide a loan to GM. President Obama further violated those laws when he purchased stock in the company and used the ownership of that stock as authority to appoint board members. The creation of programs to give funds to companies simply because they depended on GM and Chrysler for business was also not allowed in TARP documents.

In April of 2010, the GM CEO announced that the company had repaid all of it's loans from the government in full. The implication was that the government was no longer assisting GM. The reality was that most of the preferred stock purchased by the government had been transferred to common stock to free up capital for GM. This allowed GM to virtually use TARP money from stock purchases to pay off it's initial loans from the Bush administration. After GM repaid the actual loan, the Government still had $44 Billion invested in GM and owned a majority of the company. President Obama used his weekly address to back the statement that GM had paid back it's loans, although he did note that the government still held stock in the company.

In November of 2010, GM was again made public in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of stock. They sold 365 million shares of GM at roughly $33 dollars a share, paid the government back over $11 billion dollars, and reduced the governments ownership of the company to 33%.

In all, there were 6 programs created to deal with GM and Chrysler. One for each company, one for each company's bank, and one for the auto part suppliers for each company. The charts at the bottom of the page show the amount invested in those 6 programs as a function of time as taken from the TARP disclosure forms. As of March 15, the US government had a total of over $50 Billion invested in those programs. Pie charts also show the maximum invested in each program and the current amount invested in each program.

Legislation

Timeline

Below is a timeline of events relating to President Obama, the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and General Motors.

• Dec 2, 2008     - Auto manufacturers ask Bush administration for loan
• Dec 12, 2008   - House passes the Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act (Fails to pass Senate)
• Dec 20, 2008   - The Bush administration announces loan to GM / Chrysler
• Dec 29, 2008   - $5 Billion in GMAC assistance
• Dec 31, 2008   - $14 Billion in loans and stock purchase to GM goes through
• Feb 17, 2009   - GM presents viability plan
• Mar 29, 2009   - GM CEO forced to resign by Obama administration
• Mar 22, 2009   - Ad hoc bondholder letter states that plan not likely to be accepted
• Mar 30, 2009   - President Obama announces that he does not accept viability plan
• Apr 8, 2009      - President Obama announces Auto Supplier Support Program
• Apr 22, 2009    - $2 Billion purchase of stock in GM
• Apr 30, 2009    - US and Canada accept GM restructuring program
• May 15, 2009   -  Dealer consolidation program announced
• May 20, 2009   - $4 Billion purchase of stock in GM 
• Jun 1, 2009      - GM enters into bankruptcy 
• Jun 3, 2009      - $33.3 Billion in GM stock purchase (Total investment in GM $51 Billion)
• Jun 26, 2009    - GM sells Saturn Brand 
• Jul 10, 2009     - $7 Billion in GMAC Assitance
• Apr 20, 2010    - GM and Obama Administration announce GM has repaid loans (Current investment $44 Billion)
• Nov 18, 2010   - GM Initial Public Offering makes it a public company again 

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

On October 3, 2008 President Bush signed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 into law. Otherwise known as TARP for one of it's subtitles - the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The purpose of the bill was as follows:

• to immediately provide authority and facilities that the Secretary of the Treasury can use to restore liquidity and stability to the financial system of the United States; and
• to ensure that such authority and such facilities are used in a manner that--rn
  • protects home values, college funds, retirement accounts, and life savings;
  • preserves homeownership and promotes jobs and economic growth;
  • maximizes overall returns to the taxpayers of the United States; and
  • provides public accountability for the exercise of such authority. 

The legislation laid out guidelines as to what could be purchased, from whom such items could be purchased, how much money could be committed at any given time, and reporting requirements. The legislation created an initial $350 Billion for use by the President, with another $350 Billion available if the President asked for it and Congress authorized it. Within the legislation, the following items are defined.

• FINANCIAL INSTITUTION- rnrn
  • The term `financial institution' means any institution, including, but not limited to, any bank, savings association, credit union, security broker or dealer, or insurance company, established and regulated under the laws of the United States or any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the United States Virgin Islands, and having significant operations in the United States, but excluding any central bank of, or institution owned by, a foreign government.
• TROUBLED ASSETS- The term `troubled assets' means-rnrn
  • residential or commercial mortgages and any securities, obligations, or other instruments that are based on or related to such mortgages, that in each case was originated or issued on or before March 14, 2008, the purchase of which the Secretary determines promotes financial market stability;
  • and any other financial instrument that the Secretary, after consultation with the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, determines the purchase of which is necessary to promote financial market stability, but only upon transmittal of such determination, in writing, to the appropriate committees of Congress.

With those entities defined, Section 113 of the legislation dictates what the Treasury Secretary can purchase with the money by denoting what the Secretary may accept in exchange for that money. The language dictates that either preferred stock must be purchased, or common stock with no voting rights. The reasoning behind these stipulations is that preferred stock is more like debt and is paid prior to common stock. This was thought to minimize risk to the taxpayers. Common stock was allowed to be purchased only if it contained no voting rights in the company (preferred stock has no voting rights). The logic is that if the government owned a large percentage of a bank's stock and possessed voting rights through that stock, then the goverment would essentially control that bank.

• IN GENERAL- The Secretary may not purchase, or make any commitment to purchase, any troubled asset under the authority of this Act, unless the Secretary receives from the financial institution from which such assets are to be purchased-rn
  • in the case of a financial institution, the securities of which are traded on a national securities exchange, a warrant giving the right to the Secretary to receive nonvoting common stock or preferred stock in such financial institution, or voting stock with respect to which, the Secretary agrees not to exercise voting power, as the Secretary determines appropriate; or
  • in the case of any financial institution other than one described in subparagraph (A), a warrant for common or preferred stock, or a senior debt instrument from such financial institution, as described in paragraph (2)(C).

Automotive Industry Financing Program

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 created the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). TARP was further subdivided into 9 programs.

• American International Group
• Automotive Industry Financing Program (AIFP)
• Capital Purchase Program
• Consumer and Business Lending Initiative
• Targeted Investment Program
• Asset Guarantee Program
• Capital Assistance Program
• Community Development Capital Initiative
• Public-Private Investment Program

Under the AIFP, Treasury made emergency loans to General Motors and Chrysler to provide a path for these companies to go through orderly restructurings and achieve viability. Treasury also made other investments including in Ally Financial (formerly GMAC) and Chrysler Financial. In total, Treasury made available $81 billion through under the program.

Initial GM Plan

On December 2, 2008 GM publicly stated that it was in financial trouble and submitted a plan to Congress which asked for several billion dollars in loans and outlined what the company would do with that money to repay it. Specifically, the plan called for GM to do the following:

• reduce its dealer network from 6450 to roughly 4700
• end roughly one-third of its vehicle nameplates (Saturn, etc)
• reduce wages and benefit costs, including further reductions in executive compensation
• significantly restructure capital
• consolidate manufacturing operations

To achieve these goals and return to profitability, GM stated that it would need bridge loans and asked the government to set up an entity to assist in restructuring. Specifically, GM stated that it would need the following:

• $12 billion to provide adequate liquidity levels through December 31, 2009
• $4 billion in December 2008
• A $6 billion line of credit to provide liquidity should a severe market downturn persist
• GM intended to begin to repay the loans as soon as 2011

Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act

In response to GM's request, on December 10, 2008 the US House passed the Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act. This legislation was not taken up in the Senate and did not become law. However, it was used as a framework by the Obama administration for some portions of the GM restructuring.

Specifically, the legislation:

• Created an executive position to oversee the loan
• Authorized a loan of $14 Billion to be taken from TARP funds for GM and Chrysler
• Negotiate a restructuring plan within 45 days and withdraw loan if plan is not acceptable
• Restructuring plan must be submitted by March 31, 2009
• Prevents dismissing of debt through Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Bush Loan to GM / Chrysler

On December 20, 2008 President Bush announced that due to the failure of Congress to set up a loan program, he would be providing GM / Chysler with a $17.4 Billion dollar loan from the TARP program. The loan was meant to keep the auto companies in business long enough for them to create the restructuring plans which were outlined in the Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act, but never enacted into law. This allowed President Obama to make the final decision as to the fates of the companies at the end of March 2009

GM Plan for Restructuring

On February 17, 2009 GM presented it's plan to restructure and cut 47,000 jobs. Much of the plan was similar to the one it presented Congress in December. The plan noted GM's opposition to filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy stating that the revenue lost from such a procedure would negate the savings from the debt it would no longer have to pay.

• 36 nameplates or models will be offered in 2012, four less than in GM's December plan
• cut the number of manufacturing plants from 47 to 33 in 2012, (it forecast 38 in December)
• Sale Saab to Swedish government
• Sale or spin off Saturn
• Cut jobs to 72,000 by 2012 from 92,000 hourly and salaried employees at the end of 2008 (47,000 jobs cut)
• cut dealerships to 4,700 by 2012 from 6,246 in 2008
• cut labor costs to the level of foreign competitors with U.S. plants.
• convert two-thirds of the company's outstanding unsecured public debt to equity
• $7.7 billion in U.S. Energy Department advanced technology loans
• sale of AC Delco's independent aftermarkets business and a transmission plant in France
• GM said it expects to receive about $6 billion in assistance from foreign governments by 2010
• GM said a bankruptcy filing would present a "considerable" systemic risk to the automotive industry and to the overall economy, just as the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy had a ripple effect last year. The plan considered scenarios for a pre-packaged Chapter 11 filing, and a pre-negotiated cramdown plan, concluding that revenue losses for either one offset the incremental liabilities that would be wiped out by a bankruptcy filing.

Resignation of GM CEO

On March 29, 2009 the CEO of GM resigned. The Obama administration later confirmed that this was at the administration's request. Rick Wagoner had been the CEO of GM for 7 years and with the company for 30 years. The previous day, President Bush was interviewed by Bob Schiefer and noted that the plans put forth by GM were not sufficient and that more was needed.

Ad Hoc Bondholder Letter

On March 22, 2009 an ad hoc group group of bondholders wrote the leaders of the Auto Task Force and stated that in their opinion the proposal put forth by GM was not fair to bondholders. They also stated that each bondholder would have to be approached separately and accept the terms, and that this was not likely. This was significant in that the rejection of the deal by bondholders meant bankruptcy was likely.

Rejection of GM Restructuring Plan

On March 30, 2009 President Obama gave a speech and announced that he was not accepting the plans put forth by the auto industry but was giving the companies more time to come up with a plan to restructure the companies and develop a profitable plan.

Auto Supplier Support Program

On April 8, 2009 the Obama administrator announced the creation of the Supplier Support Program. The program drew money from the Treasury's bailout fund, the Troubled Asset Relief Program and offered financing to help suppliers bridge the gap between delivering parts to car makers and receiving payment. The program was $5 Billion in size, which was less than the $25 billion in assistance the suppliers had sought.

Approval of Chrysler Restructuring Plans

On April 30, 2009 the White House released a press statement noting that the US and Canada have agreed to the Chrysler restructuring plan. The statement notes that the US will pay $8.08B and receive an 8 percent share in Chrysler while Canada will contribute $2.42B and receive a 2% share. 

GM Dealer Consolidation

On May 14, 2009 the Treasury Department issued a statement noting the GM consolidation plan. The plan would close 25% of all dealerships.

GM Enters Bankruptcy

When GM was not able to produce a restructuring plan that the Obama administration would agree to, President Obama decided to allow the company to declare chapter 11 bankruptcy. On June 1, 2009 President Obama spoke about the new GM  and that it's filing for bankruptcy meet requirements established by the administration to obtain government assistance. The full text remarks of the address is available here. Two days later, GM received $30 Billion is stock purchases from the Government.

Fact Sheet on GM Restructuring

In addition to the President's speech on the GM bankruptcy, the White House issued a "fact sheet" on the bankruptcy process and what would happen to GM during the process. The results of the bankruptcy process, as outlined in the fact sheet would be much maligned later as the deal for the UAW workers was thought to have been disproportionally beneficial. The table below shows what each group involved in the company contributed and what each group walked away with after the bankruptcy. The company was also made a private entity again and not offered for trade on the market. 

Repayment of Funds

On April 20, 2010 GM ran a commercial with it's CEO stating that Gm had repaid it's loans in full with interest. The intent of the commercial was to state that GM is no longer using government funds, but is self sufficient. While this statement technically correct in that GM had repaid it's initial loan, the statement discounts the $44 Billion in funds that the US government had invested in GM after this loan repayment was made. The funds to repay the loans were also a direct result of the government stock purchases, meaning that GM had repaid it's government loans with the money that the government used to buy stock in GM.

On April 24, 2010 President Obama used his weekly address to discuss the repayment of GM loans in full with interest and the ending of the ASSP programs. While the President also stated that the loans were being repaid in full, he further noted that the government still help stocks in GM.

Initial IPO

On November 18, 2010 GM had an Initial Public Offering (IPO) where is became a publicly traded company again by selling part of the company stocks on the market. The company sold 365 million shares of common stock at a rate of $33 dollars a share. This raised roughly $12 Million in funds which allow reduced the federal government's ownership in the company by half.

TARP Money Supplied to Chrysler and GM

The Automotive Industry Financing Program provided funds to six entities: the car companies GM and Chrysler; their banks GMAC (later Ally) and Chrysler Financial; and the ASSP programs for GM and Chrysler part suppliers. The charts below show the maximum amount allocated to each of the six entities and the amount still owed. The amount owed is based on TARP Disclosure data for March 15, 2011 and the maximum amount for any entity occurred at different times for each entity. In all, the money made available to GM and Chrysler was roughly $81 Billion dollars. As of March 15, 2011 a total of roughly $49 Billion was still invested in GM and Chrysler in the form of either debt or stock. 

The plots below show a timeline of the money received for the three main entities - GM, GMAC, and Chrysler and for all six entities that received money through the program. In the bottom chart, the star represents the time where GM declared that it had repaid it's loans to the government. The amount can also be seen in the top bar chart where the funds in use by GM lowers from $48 Billion to $44 Billion. The drop in amount owed by GM from $44 to $32 indicates the IPO.