The following are some remarks from Interim Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability Neel Kashkari's speech: "People often ask: how do we know our program is working? First, we did not allow the financial system to collapse. That is the most direct, important information. Second, we know the system is more stable than it was when Congress passed the legislation. While it is difficult to isolate one program's effects given regulators' numerous actions, one indicator that has pointed to reduced risk in the system is the average credit default swap spread for the eight largest U.S. banks, which has declined almost 207 basis points since before Congress passed the EESA. Another key indicator of perceived risk that we are tracking is LIBOR: 1 month LIBOR has declined 217 basis points and 3 month LIBOR 202 basis points. People also ask: when we will see banks making new loans? First, we must remember that just over half the money is out the door. Although we are executing at record speed, it will take a few months to process all the remaining applications. The money needs to get into the system before it can have the desired effect. Second, we are still at a point of low confidence -- both due to the credit crisis and due to the economic downturn. While confidence is low, banks will remain cautious about extending credit, and consumers and businesses will remain cautious about taking on new loans. As confidence returns, we expect to see more credit extended. This lending won't materialize as fast as any of us would like, but it will happen much faster as a result of having used the TARP to stabilize the system and to increase the capital in our banks."