WASHINGTON--Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is expected toannounce that 12 insurance companies with life operations have beenapproved for government assistance under the Capital PurchaseProgram (CPP) component of the Trouble Asset Relief Programapproved by Congress last year.

Mr. Geithner reportedly will disclose the aid to life insurersTuesday while "outlining" a comprehensive plan designed to restorestability to the financial system.

Two other proposals said to be under consideration by the Obamaadministration are CPP aid to the troubled monoline or bondinsurers, and whether to ask Congress for legislative authoritythat would allow the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation tooversee troubled financial services companies, whether they arebanks or not.

Representatives of various life insurance industry trade groupssaid they had heard "rumors" of the proposals to aid insurers butwere not in a position to comment. Spokesmen for the monolineinsurers declined comment.

The Treasury Department, through a spokesman, also declinedcomment on aid to insurers and would only say that in his speech,Secretary Geithner will discuss the Obama administration's strategyto strengthen our economy by getting credit flowing again tofamilies and businesses, while imposing new measures and conditionsto strengthen accountability, oversight and transparency in howtaxpayer dollars are spent.

"Secretary Geithner will explain how the financial stabilityplan will be critical in supporting an effective and lastingeconomic recovery," the statement said.

Secretary Geithner will testify Tuesday on "Oversight of theFinancial Rescue Program: A New Plan for the TARP," before theSenate Banking Committee.