Banks Back for More

Back at the trough already? Banks are once again struggling as gigantic fourth quarter losses roll in, and some institutions that received bailouts a few months ago are begging for more. Bank of America, which already accepted $25 billion, is looking to score billions once again to help it absorb Merrill Lynch. Major banks that previously avoided having to ask for capital, like HSBC, are now in dire straits as well. The situation has prompted Barack Obama to ask Congress to release the second half of the $700 billion TARP in order to combat the latest wave of credit problems.