CNN's David Ellis is reporting that some banks are already paying back their share of TARP funds with existing capital. What is more, this list of banks is expected to grow. Other banks who have taken TARP funds seek to return the money as fast as possible. And this list does not even include banks eligible for TARP funds, but who refuse to participate. Why would banks do this? Don't they know we are on the brink of catastrophe?Some institutions have argued that it is too costly to keep government capital on their books at a time when banks in general have been resistant to make new loans as the economy sours and more Americans lose their jobs.Other banks have suggested that the recently passed stimulus package, which included a measure aimed at reining in bonuses for senior executives and top earners at banks that got TARP funds, would harm their firms even further."We believe participation in TARP has created a competitive disadvantage for TCF and it is in the best interest of...(Read Full Post)