'Too big to fail' is alive and well - Washington Times

Mr. Buffett's 50,000 preferred shares in the country’s largest bank will pay an amazing 6 percent annual dividend. It’s a great deal for the billionaire investor, but not for everyone else. Mr. Buffett will receive his money before any common stockholders get paid. With the rest of the market seeing interest rates that are effectively at zero percent, it’s worth asking why Bank of America was willing to pay Mr. Buffet such a handsome premium. If it’s because no one else was willing to provide funds, that’s a sign the bank is in serous trouble, not that it’s turning the corner.