Treasury's latest proposal involves vast sums but fuzzy details

FINANCIAL STABILITY TRUST

A program to increase transparency at the banks, run stress tests of a bank's staying power in a downturn, and provide banks with fresh capital through the purchase of convertible preferred stock by the Treasury.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE INVESTMENT FUND

This will deploy $500 billion to $1 trillion in public and private capital to buy banks' troubled assets. The private-sector buyers will set the purchase price for these assets. Treasury will use leverage to amplify the buying power of the fund.

CONSUMER & BUSINESS LENDING INITIATIVE

Treasury and the Fed will use up to $1 trillion to support lending to the auto, small-business, consumer, student, and commercial-mortgage sectors. This should help ease tight credit.

HOUSING SUPPORT & FORECLOSURE PREVENTION

Treasury will develop standards for modifying loans and spend $50 billion to help provide more affordable mortgages for distressed families. It backs proposed legislation that empowers bankruptcy courts to adjust mortgages.

Data: U.S. Treasury Dept.