Savings & Loan Situation

Mr. Keating discussed the national savings and loan situation and his involvement in the collapse of the California based Lincoln Savings and Loan. He also defended his management of the thrift. The Lincoln Savings and Loan is a part of the American Continental Corporation which filed for bankruptcy in April of 1989. The federal bailout of the savings and loans is expected to cost at least $150 billion. The Lincoln Savings and Loan bailout alone cost $2.5 billion. Mr. Keating was also implicated in influence peddling involving Senators McCain, DeConcini, Riegle, Glenn and Cranston who intervened for Lincoln with the federal regulators, supposedly because of Keating's campaign contribution. Mr. Keating claimed that he had been unecessarily harassed by these regulators. Although Mr. Keating had testified at hearings, this was the first time Mr. Keating spoke in a public forum.