Of meltdowns, freezes, bailouts and TARP

One year and myriad programs later, the Troubled Asset Relief Program’s impact, and intention, is still up for debate.

Politicians are calling for an end to the program when it expires on Dec. 31. At the same time, government agencies are trying to sort out how to wind down programs and whether to distribute the unspent funds.

On Oct. 1, 2008, a group of local experts convened at the offices of the Business Report to discuss the causes of the financial meltdown and the solutions that were then being proposed. Roundtable participants included:

• John Clinebell, professor of finance at…