Bank of America (declined) to comment. The White House declined to (comment) on the original report in

the Wall Street Journal, as did a U.S. (Treasury spokeswoman).

The news came as President-elect Barack Obama pressured (Congress) to release a second

(installment ) of $350 billion for the bailout program known as the Troubled Asset (Relief Program),

or TARP. It was first (approved) in October.

Treasury has already committed $350 billion under the TARP, largely to (shore up) the balance sheets of

large banks, but critics say the banking industry remains in (desperate straits).