U.S. rebuffing big banks' push to exit bailout

WASHINGTON, Sept 15 - Some of the largest U.S. banks will remain caught in the government's financial bailout program for months, as officials do not expect to grant the next wave of exit approvals until near the end of the year, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Banks such as Citigroup and Bank of America Corp have been chafing under the government's reins and want to exit the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), which delivered capital infusions to banks along with limits on pay, share repurchases and dividends.

Ten banks received approvals in June to repay $68 billion in federal bailout funds. Since then, there have been few clues about when the other banks would be allowed to exit the program and if those approvals would come piecemeal or as another group.

"We will see another wave of repayments (approvals)," the source said, speaking anonymously because the approach has not been announced publicly.