http://66.225.205.104/JR20091202a.mp3
In less than a month, Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis plans to retire. But the bank's board has not hired his replacement and the latest reports are not encouraging. WFAE's Julie Rose has more: Apparently the top job at Bank of America isn't all that attractive right now. The bank's board had hoped to announce Lewis' replacement by Thanksgiving, but has been reportedly turned down by numerous candidates. The Wall Street Journal says at least two of those candidates told directors the behemoth bank should consider breaking itself up, which didn't go over well with the board. A bank spokesman says they are still considering internal and external candidates and hope to have a decision soon. But he also says Ken Lewis might stick around if the board can't fill his job by December 31st. Lewis hinted that might be the case in a speech to Charlotte's business community Wednesday as he laid out the bank's forecast for 2010. "And no, I do not plan to be there," said Lewis, chuckling. "But I'm gonna be CEO until I'm not CEO, and so we do these things about this time of the year." The lack of a replacement for Ken Lewis has many Charlotte officials nervous the bank will ultimately choose someone with weaker ties to the region. Lewis was born and raised in the South and spent his entire career with Bank of America, including 8 years as CEO. He got two lengthy standing ovations at the Charlotte Chamber's Annual Economic Outlook luncheon.