2 pieces of good news

Two items of good news came out Wednesday. Bank of America, the Associated Press reports, revealed intentions to pay back the full $45 billion it took in Troubled Asset Relief Program funds. The firm says it will do so with cash on hand and $18.8 billion it intends to raise in a capital campaign, and hopes the move will help in recruiting a new CEO to replace Ken Lewis.

Bloomberg.com reports consumer spending in the U.S. rose from October to mid-November, and stock markets performed well for the third straight day, even on the heels of a firm commitment to a costly expansion of the U.S. role in Afghanistan, a decision congressional Democrats have indicated will require new taxation.