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BANKS

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Markets 19th December 2013

What do EBA tests reveal, or fail to highlight, about Greek banks?

Macropolis | The European Banking Authority (EBA) disclosed on December 16 the results of a transparency exercise covering 64 European banks from 21 countries. The aim of the exercise was to share updated information based on first half 2013 data about banks’ operations according to uniform benchmarks.

The European Banking Authority (EBA) disclosed on December 16 the results of a transparency exercise covering 64 European banks from 21 countries. The aim of the exercise was to share updated information based on first half 2013 data about banks’ operations according to uniform benchmarks. – See more at: http://www.macropolis.gr/?i=portal.en.economy.699&itemId=699#sthash.rawJn6MF.dpuf
China Courting Financial Innovation

World economy 9th December 2013

China: Courting Financial Innovation

BEIJING | By Wang Yong at Caixin | In China, the law on illegal fundraising keeps public deposits from fleeing their arranged marriage with state-owned banks, stifling fresh ideas in finance.

Italian banks

In Europe 19th November 2013

Italian Banks: Ongoing improvements, but uncertainty remains

LONDON | By Barclays analysts | We discuss the Italian economic and financial situation based on data and analysis contained in the November 2013 Bank of Italy Financial Stability Report. Following almost two years of recession in Italy, positive growth should resume in Q4 this year. After a likely 1.8% GDP contraction this year, we forecast a 0.8% expansion in 2014.

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Markets 7th November 2013

Spain’s banks dealt dose of loan reality

MADRID | By Ilan Brat and Christopher Bjork at The Wall Street Journal via Presseurop | It has puzzled Spanish bank analysts for years: Why did the country’s mortgage delinquency rate rise so slowly even as unemployment soared above 26%? A big part of the answer—revealed by a spate of bank earnings reports in recent days—is that Spanish lenders had been making their loan books look healthier than they really were by refinancing big numbers of loans to struggling homeowners and businesses.

Greek Banks2

In Europe 5th November 2013

When Will Greek Banks Operate as Credit Institutions Again?

ATHENS | By Jens Bastian via The Agora | Despite the successful recapitalisation process and continued restructuring of the Greek banking sector, the credit transmission mechanism towards the real economy remains severely impaired.  [Above graph sources: The Agora and Bank of Greece yearly data.]

European Banking Union

In Europe 4th November 2013

Why European Banking Union May Fail (Varoufakis)

MADRID | By Luis Arroyo | Yanis Varoufakis is the most critical economist regarding the institutional failures of the monetary union. He considers that the European Banking Union will only benefit EU Northern countries, and adds that the basic principles of the euro zone have not been entirely followed.