US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said he would consider forcing out chief executives of banks that receive government bailouts if they were not managing their businesses properly.

In an interview with CBS, Geithner said economic recovery depends on a financial system that effectively provides credit, and the government would hold companies receiving public aid accountable.

When asked whether he left open the option to pressure a bank CEO to resign, Geithner responded, “Of course. Of course.”

The White House has been trying to strike the right balance between salvaging firms that are vital to the economy and acknowledging taxpayer resentment over a series of increasingly costly bailouts.

The fact that many companies continued to pay large bonuses and sponsor lavish corporate events after accepting public money has infuriated voters and politicians alike, and Geithner in particular has been criticized for not imposing strict limits on how companies use government money.