Bank of America announced today they were laying off 3500 immediately, and as many as 10,000 in the near future. And their stock continues in free fall, down over 50 percent this year.

Via Tyler Durden at Zero Hedge.

Should we be surprised, frightened, disgusted or simply say "we knew it", that in the informal mixer just after Texas Governor and Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry spoke at a Politics and Eggs breakfast in Bedford, New Hampshire, an unknown gentlemen approaches a casual Perry like an Ian Flemming character, and proceeds to dead drop the following: "Bank of America... We will help you out"... and silently moves on. At least we know now who is funding what, and whose interests potential future president Perry will be paid to defend.

And for those who believe the man is a plant, we believe it is James Mahoney, Director of Public Policy for BoA. You can see a photo of him here. He's on the board of directors for the New England Council, the sponsors of yesterday's Politics and Eggs breakfast.

Full video can be seen at CSPAN, here.