By Karlee Weinmann (January 2, 2014, 4:16 PM EST) -- The market is so enthusiastic about shares in Ally Financial Inc. that the U.S. government could wind down its stake in the auto lender within the year, sources told Reuters on Thursday. Recent private transactions have shown heightened investor interest in Ally, which has been eyeing a public listing for years. But despite its hopes to hit the public markets, the lender has battled against a scarred reputation since it took on a $17 billion rescue line from the government, saving it from the brink of collapse during the financial crisis. Ally had been cut deep by bad home loans and the failure of its subprime mortgage unit. The government still owns 64 percent of Ally's shares, but using the surge of private investor interest as a barometer, could find eager buyers on the public markets as well....