Major hedge fund manager Paulson backs stricter leverage limits

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Major hedge fund managers told a U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on Thursday:

* Paulson says sees need for more stringent leverage requirements on banks, financial institutions, hedge funds.

* Soros says some hedge funds pose systemic risk and risk justifies greater federal regulation of U.S. hedge funds

* Paulson says every hedge fund that had financial problems in recent years used too much leverage.

* Falcone says hedge fund industry "not nearly as leveraged" as some banking institutions.

* Citadel's Griffin says hedge funds are already indirectly regulated through regulation of banking system.

* Griffin says "we have not seen hedge funds as focal point of carnage in this recent financial tsunami."

* Griffin says "not averse" to disclosing his fund's positions to U.S. regulators as long as information remained confidential.

* Soros says requiring hedge funds to disclose their positions to public could "be very harmful."