WASHINGTON (AP) -- Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says government purchases of stock in banks represent an investment that should eventually make money for taxpayers.

Paulson said Monday the government will own shares in the banks that should be paid back with a reasonable return and the government will also receive warrants for common shares in the banks.

He made his comments as he announced a streamlined application process that banks can follow to apply to sell shares to the government by a deadline of Nov. 14.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)