Bank of America To Discuss CEO Candidates

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (TheStreet) -- Wall Street is eagerly awaiting results of a Bank of America (BAC) board meeting on Tuesday, at which directors will likely discuss CEO candidates, and perhaps select one to replace outgoing CEO Ken Lewis.

The succession plan has been fraught with uncertainty, with media reports floating dozens of names, and no clear consensus on whom board members or investors would prefer. A search committee has been sorting out the pros and cons of candidates since Lewis' unexpected announcement on Sept. 30, and reportedly plans to present options to the board on Tuesday.

Two internal candidates, Brian Moynihan and Greg Curl, are believed to be leading contenders. However, they have been criticized as lacking the right experience, or adequate experience, and also for being too close to the Merrill Lynch deal. Word that New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has been combing through Curl's Merrill testimony with a fine-tooth comb could add fuel to that fire.

The bank's surprise announcement that it will repay its entire $45 billion in bailout funds may have swayed some outsiders that were turned off by pay restrictions and strict government oversight. Curl was the point man in negotiating the repayment of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, while Moynihan also has been at work in Washington, tackling other regulatory issues in recent weeks.

Time is of the essence for a decision, since Lewis is scheduled to retire at year-end. The board has already passed a few target dates on announcing its new leader, most recently on Thanksgiving.