[JasonC]

I was just looking at that. There are 138 million shares short that we know of. Options contracts might make that a round 200 million or so. But that is only about 4% of the company. For the amount squeezed from the shorts to equal the present market cap, the stock would have to recover to around $25. It is fairly worth $50 in normal times, but these aren't and it isn't worth $50 with the alternatives on offer, elsewhere.

But if I were them, I'd just start doing it, no announcements, no fanfare, no "here is how we will save the bank". Just start. In as little as 50 days, ever single share (not held by insiders if you like) could be retired. You could literally buy the entire thing before Obama is sworn in, even if it doesn't decline another penny. Without using a dime of money besides what the loan book in throwing off.

[NVDave]

Do you think there’s anyone smart enough there to think of this?

And could they do this without an SEC requirement of disclosure?