Some good news

German American, of Jasper, Ind., joined roughly 50 other banks that were approved for aid through the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program but have publicly opted out, saying they didn't need the money or objected to the restrictions that would come with it.

BailoutSleuth compiled its list of TARP decliners from press releases issued by the banks, from Securities and Exchange Commission filings and from news accounts. Our roster does not include another large group of banks that would have qualified for TARP funds but withdrew their applications before they were approved.

It would appear that even the lure of “easy money” isn’t enough to get banks willing to accept it in return for having Chris Dodd and Barney Frank blustering about their corporate offices and President Obama scolding them about where they can and can’t take their employees for conferences and get-aways.

Exit Question: On the outside chance that not all TARP money gets used up, are we going to get it back?