So, it would appear that by making a simple statement that they want to return TARP money, they are attempting to bolster confidence in their institution. This reminds me the bounce ShittiGroup got when Pandit 'released' (that went public) his email to employees where he spoke of profitable quarters (if one would be so naive to not consider that such 'profit' excluded future losses Citi would have to take on assets that won't reflate in time for them, and other liabilities he conveniently omitted from his little memo). In the interim, they actually need the money. If you look at the capital base of a Citi or Bank of America or even Wells, there is no real capital base. It's a mathematical certainty that these are technically insolvent institutions. Only taxpayer money, and a reprieve from having to write down troubled assets (assets such as residential mortgages upon which they've participated in 90 day foreclosure delays) are the means by which they are operating. Their officers should be barred from making any such statements in the future unless they are ready, willing and able to return the money immediately, otherwise their statements are intended purely to manipulate their share prices.