Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner says he is prepared to oust the senior management and directors at banks that require extensive aid from the federal government.

“If in the future, banks need exceptional assistance in order to get through this, then we will make sure that assistance comes,” while ensuring that taxpayers are protected, Mr. Geithner said Sunday in an interview on “Face the Nation” on CBS. “Where that requires a change in management and the board, then we will do that.”

Mr. Geithner said the chief executives of the American International Group, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had been removed after it became clear the companies could not survive without government rescues. The Treasury is reviewing how much capital the biggest financial companies would need to endure a severe economic downturn.

Image Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner appeared Sunday on Face the Nation on CBS. Credit... Karin Cooper/CBS, via Associated Press

“Where we’ve had to do exceptional things,” the government has replaced management and boards, Mr. Geithner said.