Melissa Hankins: Hello, my name is Melissa Hankins from WBTV. Could I ask you to get a few words about stepping down. Was the decision your own sir? Kenneth Lewis: It has been reported exactly as it was in the press. Melissa Hankins: And what is that? Could you give me a few details? Kenneth Lewis: No. You just read the papers. Melissa Hankins: We have read the papers sir. Tell me about why you decided to step down now. Kenneth Lewis: I have already explained it in the press. Melissa Hankins: Can you please, just give us a few words on camera? Was there any pressure from federal regulatory --? Kenneth Lewis: Absolutely no pressure. Melissa Hankins: Absolutely no pressure outside. Kenneth Lewis: That is right. Melissa Hankins: So, why now when you have been holding on to your job for so long? I mean, you have been there for 40 years. Why not wait a couple of extra. Kenneth Lewis: You always know when it is time, and it was time. Melissa Hankins: Why was it time? Kenneth Lewis: Intuitively, you know. Melissa Hankins: Can you explain a little bit? Kenneth Lewis: No. That is all I can say. Melissa Hankins: I have read that you were tired of getting mud slung in your face that you were just -- Kenneth Lewis: I have told you what I told the Board. Melissa Hankins: Okay, what are your plans next? Kenneth Lewis: I don't have any. Melissa Hankins: No? How do you feel about the condition of the bank right now? Kenneth Lewis: I feel great. Melissa Hankins: How you are leaving it? Kenneth Lewis: I feel great. It is poised to -- as soon as the accounting recovers to be the finest institution in the world. Melissa Hankins: Are you worried about an Interim CEO? I mean, the bank is in -- has a lot on its seat right now and you have got 45 -- I mean, to pay back to the government. If someone is there for just a short amount of time, how would that affect the bank? Kenneth Lewis: The bank has got great momentum. We have got great people internally to fill the slots and there will be slot and it will do very well. Melissa Hankins: All right. Do you have someone in mind that you would like to see step up? Kenneth Lewis: Yeah. Melissa Hankins: Yeah, one person? Kenneth Lewis: I have several people. Melissa Hankins: How long do you think it will be before we find out? Kenneth Lewis: I don't know. Melissa Hankins: All right. Thank you sir. I appreciate it.

==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====

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    S.Howard-Sarin

    10/05/09 | Report as spam

    LOL! That is a fast-walking reporter

    My sense of this interview went from squirmy discomfort over the forwardness of the report, to admiration as she got Lewis to say more and more...

    And she was walking really fast. Sideways.

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