Geithner to leave Treasury post by this month

By NBC's Mark Murray

Earlier today, Bloomberg News reported that Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner is planning to leave the Obama administration by the end of January, even if the White House and Congress haven't yet reached a deal on the debt ceiling by then.

In response to a question from First Read about the article, a Treasury spokesperson says that Geithner has previously stated he plans to stay "until around the inauguration" -- so late January.

"Secretary Geithner has previously stated that he plans to be at Treasury until around the inauguration," the spokesperson said. "We do not plan to make any further announcements about the timing of the Secretary's departure until after his successor is named."

Geithner, 51, is the only remaining original member of Obama's cabinet and has been an instrumental figure in the administration's handling of the bank bailouts and economic recovery efforts in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.?

Prior to joining the Obama administration, Geithner served as the?president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He first joined the Treasury department in 1988 and served in various roles under three separate administrations.??

One possible contender for the job after Geithner's departure is current?White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew, who previously served as the?Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

NBC's Carrie Dann contributed to this report. ?

?

Source: http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/03/16328838-geithner-to-leave-treasury-post-by-this-month?lite

Misty May And Kerri Walsh Jake Dalton London 2012 field hockey Missy Franklin Hunter Pence NBCOlympics Danell Leyva