The Wall Street Journal reports:
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has told one of its subsidiaries to stop insuring bank deposits above the amount guaranteed by the federal government, dealing a fresh blow to the financial-services industry as it tries to assuage anxious customers.
The subsidiary, Kansas Bankers Surety Co., is notifying about 1,500 banks in more than 30 states that it will no longer offer a program called “bank deposit guaranty bonds.” KBS is an 18-employee subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, according to the parent firm’s 2007 annual report. It is one of a handful of firms that offer such insurance, a big selling point for banks trying to attract wealthy customers.
Two people briefed on the matter said the order was made Monday by Mr. Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway’s chief executive.
“Skidoosh:”
Source:
Berkshire, in Blow to Banks, Reins In Its Deposit Insurer
Damian Paletta
The Wall Street Journal
September 10, 2008