A camera crew following Texas Governor Rick Perry, a Republican presidential candidate, captured an unidentified individual telling Mr Perry that Bank of America will help him out.  The individual then walks away without waiting for Gov. Perry to respond.

Turns out the well-wisher is BofA's director of public policy, James Mahoney.  He's on the board of the New England Council, a sponsor of the event at which Mr. Perry spoke. Mahoney also is a former secretary of the Boston Fed and was a district director for former Democratic Congressman Joseph Kennedy.  He also volunteered for Democratic California Governor Jerry Brown's 1980 presidential campaign, among other things. 

A spokesperson for Bank of America said the bank doesn't endorse presidential candidates.  CNBC's John Carney said that Governor Perry most likely has no interest in being associated with BofA, given its tenuous reputation among Americans.

In the video, Mr. Mahoney approaches Mr. Perry and, without identifying himself, says:  "Bank of America.  We will help you out."  To view the video, go to:   [C-SPAN's Zero Hedge, which WSJ's Marketbeat credits for the video, 8/19/11]