Will Taxpayers Get Their Money’s Worth at Hartford or Lincoln National?

It may be too early to tell, but the just released second quarter earnings for The Hartford and Lincoln National, two insurers that grabbed federal TARP money, aren’t a ringing endorsement for the program. But take heart, it could have been even worse if taxpayers didn’t foot the bill.

The Hartford, based in the Connecticut city of the same name, reported a loss of $15 million or 6 cents a The Hartfordshare. In fact, several comparisons at the life and property insurer were marked “NM” or “not meaningful” because they were so far below last year’s numbers.

Philadelphia-based Lincoln National, a life insurer that focuses on retirement plans and annuities, fared even worse. It reported a net loss of $161 million or 62 cents a share...

BNet: Will Taxpayers Get Their Money’s Worth at Hartford or Lincoln National?