Treasury distributes $386M to 23 banks

? The Treasury Department said Tuesday it has distributed another $386 million to 23 banks, the first awards from the federal bailout fund since President Barack Obama took office.

The department said the latest capital infusions went to banks in 16 states, bringing the total number of institutions that have been helped to 317.

The new distributions were made Friday and mark the first money from the $700 billion bailout fund distributed since Obama became president last week. Under the law that established the fund, the administration has to publicly disclose its funding actions within two business days after the money is disbursed.

The latest capital infusions ranged from $111 million for 1st Source Corp. in South Bend, Ind., to $1.04 million for Calvert Financial Corp. in Ashland, Mo.

With the new awards, a total of $194.2 billion has been provided in the program that is purchasing bank stock as a way to bolster banks’ capital reserves and get them to resume more normal lending patterns. The money has gone to 317 institutions in 43 states and Puerto Rico.