Geithner's Deadbeats

As the first anniversary of the government's $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program approaches, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has a lot to be happy about.

Thursday, facing the congressional panel charged with overseeing the TARP funds, Geithner reminded them that when he took office, the Treasury had given $240 billion to banks. Since then, $70 billion has come back as the healthiest banks have begun to repay taxpayers. He estimates banks will repay another $50 billion over the next 12 to 18 months.