EU agrees to ease path for state aid to banks
The move was prompted by a battle between the competition commissioner and the French government, which wants to pump ?10.5 billion into six relatively healthy banks to smooth the flow of credit.

Lawyers say new regulation could leave banks with fewer opportunities for growth
Some authorities have already required banks to increase their capital ratios and reduce risk to withstand the financial turmoil.

Government announces banks review
The British treasury reveals an independent review of the Isle of Man's offshore banks is to take place.

Dollar, Yen May Extend Drop as Central Banks Act to Spur Growth
Dec. 3 (Bloomberg) -- The dollar and the yen may decline for a second day against the euro on speculation global central banks acted to stem the economic slump, reducing the haven appeal of the currencies.

Dollar, Yen Drop as Central Banks Act to Spur Economic Growth
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The dollar and the yen declined the most against the euro in a week as central banks acted to stem the economic slump, reducing the currencies? haven appeal.

Aracruz Rises as Banks Ease Deadline for Derivatives-Loss Deal
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Aracruz Celulose SA , the world?s biggest eucalyptus-pulp maker, rose for the first time in a week after banks extended the deadline for a deal to unwind currency derivatives that may cost about $2 billion.

Dollar, Yen Drop as Central Banks Act to Spur Economic Growth
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The dollar and the yen declined the most against the euro in a week as global central banks acted to stem the economic slump and stocks rebounded, reducing the haven appeal of the currencies.

Spanish Banks May Take a 54% Stake in Metrovacesa (Update1)
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- A group of Spanish banks may take a stake of 54 percent in Metrovacesa SA , the country?s largest real-estate company, to settle debt accrued by the family that owns most of the stock.

JBS to Raise Up to 400 Million Reais Through Banks, Fitch Says
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- JBS SA , the world?s largest beef producer, will raise up to 400 million reais ($168 million) through banks to boost its working capital, Fitch Ratings said.

EU wants banks to boost lending
The EU competition commissioner says she expects banks that receive state aid to promise to lend to the real economy.

EU wants banks to boost lending
The EU competition commissioner says she expects banks that receive state aid to give commitments to lend to the real economy.

Aracruz Says Banks Give More Time on Derivatives (Update1)
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Aracruz Celulose SA , the world?s biggest eucalyptus-pulp maker, said banks gave it more time to unwind currency derivatives at a cost of about $2 billion.

Billionaire Merckle May Seek to Prolong Standstill With Banks
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Germany?s Merckle family is seeking an extension from banks to hold off claims before a deadline expires later today as it negotiates bridge financing that would save the VEM Vermoegensverwaltung GmbH investment unit.

Dollar, Yen Drop as Central Banks Act to Spur Economic Growth
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The dollar and the yen declined the most against the euro in a week as global central banks acted to stem the economic slump, reducing the haven appeal of the currencies.

Financial Stocks: Financials claw back some losses, Citi, banks rise
Shares of U.S. financial stocks rebound modestly from the group?s biggest-ever single-session percentage drop in the previous session as two of the nation's largest banks beef up their balance sheets wtih government-backed bond issues.

Banks Facing ?Destructive? Pressure to Lend, Dresdner Says
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Lawmakers should be wary of putting pressure on banks to lend because it may cause more problems than it solves, according to Dresdner Kleinwort.

Oil Rises as Shares Climb on Signs Central Banks Will Cut Rates
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil rose, rebounding from a three-year low, as equities climbed on speculation that central banks will increase efforts to end the recession in the U.S., Europe and Japan.

Euro Rises as Stocks Gain, Central Banks Seek to Buoy Markets
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The euro rose against the dollar and the yen as stocks advanced and central banks around the world increased measures to stem the economic slowdown, reducing the allure of the two haven currencies.

Spanish Banks May Take 54% Stake in Metrovacesa to Cancel Debt
Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- A group of Spanish banks may take a stake of 54 percent in Metrovacesa SA , the country?s largest real-estate company, to cancel debt accrued by the family that owns most of the stock.

Baby Formula In Demand At Tampa Area Food Banks
Baby formula is expensive. That fact nearly led to the death of a 5-month-old last week and it keeps donors from stocking food banks with the nourishment so vital to infants who aren't breast-fed.