Asian Stocks Climb on Central Banks, Mergers; Westpac Rises
Dec. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Asian stocks rose for the first time in three days as central banks stepped up efforts to ease the credit crisis and on signs of a revival in mergers.

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.

China reluctant to invest in foreign banks
China's sovereign wealth fund, which last year poured $5 billion into Morgan Stanley, is reluctant to plow more money into foreign banks until governments hash out coherent policies to cope with the global economic and financial turmoil, the fund's head said...

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.

Banks face fines for treating customers unfairly
Banks will be penalised if they do not offer customers a fair deal under new laws to be announced later.

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.

Fitch Revises Major Thai Banks' International Rating Outlooks to Negative
Fitch Ratings has today revised the international rating Outlooks of nine of Thailand's major banks to Negative from Stable. This action follows the revision of the Outlook on the Kingdom of Thailand'

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.

China reluctant to invest in foreign banks
(AP:HONG KONG) China's sovereign wealth fund, which last year poured $5 billion into Morgan Stanley, is reluctant to plow more money into foreign banks until governments hash out coherent policies to cope with the global economic and financial turmoil, the fund's head said Wednesday.

China reluctant to invest in foreign banks
By WILLIAM FOREMAN China's sovereign wealth fund, which last year poured $5 billion into Morgan Stanley, is reluctant to plow more money into foreign banks until governments hash out coherent policies to cope with the global economic and financial turmoil, the fund's head said Wednesday. The remarks by Lou Jiwei, chairman of the $200 billion China Investment Corp., represent a new blow for ...

'No excuses': Swan slams banks for withholding rate cuts
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says there is no excuse for the banks not to pass on the full one percentage point interest rate cut.

Uganda: Credit Bureau to Cut Banks' Risk Levels
Kampala ? BANKS are to drastically reduce risky private lending when the long-awaited Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) is officially launched today. CompuScan CRB Ltd was contracted by the Bank (BOU) of Uganda to implement the CRB and the Financial Card System (FCS).

Banks' foreign branches need RBI nod for exotic products
Move aimed at regulating overseas operations of Indian banks. Foreign branches or subsidiaries of Indian banks proposing to deal in structured financial products will now require the prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

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.