Local Perspective on the Financial Industry Bailout

Because of certain regulations written into the $700 billion banking industry bailout, small, private banks are having a difficult time accessing the allocated money. But this isn't the only issue small banks are having with the bailout. From the AP:

Finally, the ICBA has raised concerns about a measure governing the capital injections that would let the Treasury Department "unilaterally amend" the program. For example, Congress could require banks that have received government money to do more lending, Merski said.

"That's a bit concerning," said Dan Blanton, chief executive of Georgia Bank & Trust, based in Augusta, Ga. "If they decide they want to change the rules after you've taken the money ... you have to live with it."