Arab Banks? Profits Seen to Plunge 40pc
DUBAI ?The combined profits of Arab banks will decline up to 40 per cent in 2009 due to the tightening liquidity scenairo, a top Arab banker said.

US banks to require further fundraisings
America's biggest banks will need to raise yet more fresh capital in 2009 in spite of the US government's recent 125bn £82bn investment round a leading banking analyst has warned.

Peter King and Don Banks debate OT rules
The NFL's overtime rules are a hot-button topic right now, fresh off Saturday night's Colts-Chargers wild-card game, won by San Diego in OT. SI.com senior writers Peter King and Don Banks share opposing views and debated the topic this morning. Share your thoughts on overtime here.

Independent Community Bankers of America Calls on Congress To Consider Community Banks In Economic Recovery Efforts
(RTTNews) - Independent Community Bankers of America president and CEO Camden Fine released a statement Wednesday in which he said Congress should consider community banks in economic recovery efforts.

Regulator: Banks strong enough to weather crisis - Chile
The adequate solvency and risk management levels of Chilean banks bode well for the system's ability to weather the ongoing global economic crisis, but they should work together with customers to deal with the current scenario, Gustavo Arriagada, head of banking regulator Sbif, told press.

Banks Borrow Dh3.7b from Central Bank?s Swap Funds
DUBAI ? The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has provided Dh3.7 billion or $1.01 billion to local banks through its dollar/dirham swap facility, helping to bring down interbank interest rates.

Most EU banks not using looser accounting rules
Most European banks and blue chip companies are not using looser accounting rules allowing them to revise upward the value of complex investments which depreciated during the financial crisis, EU market supervisors said Wednesday.

RBI reviews banks commercial real estate exposure norms
The Reserve Bank Of India has released a draft on Wednesday, proposing to review the definition of commercial real estate exposure to be followed by banks to closely align it to Basel II definition.

Kerr: Banks must close arrears/provision gap
A leading investment advisor is suggesting commercial banks will move quickly to close the gap between their arrears and provisioning for that bad debt ? a phenomenon exactly opposite to one now in play, according to the Central Bank.

Wy Food Banks Receive Donation
They struggle to pay the rent, pay the utilities, pay for car repairs and clothes for the kids -- and then not enough money is left to buy food. Those are the people the Wyoming Community Foundation hopes to help with $100,000 for food banks and soup kitchens around the state.

Japan govt may inject funds into regional banks, says report
TOKYO: Japan?s government may inject money into scores of regional banks, a newspaper said yesterday, sending shares of small lenders such as Tokyo Tomin Bank sharply higher, even as some officials dismissed the report.

Banks get $1bn through swaps
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates central bank said yesterday it had provided 3.7bn dirhams ($1.01bn) to banks via a new swap facility, and urged banks to draw on it further to bring down interbank rates.

Community Banks Are Safest Bet
U.S. community banks, which are models of safety and profitability amid the market turmoil, will increase IT spending just to stay alive.

Banks In Europe Must Turn Attention to PSD
Even with the pressure of the global economic crisis, banks in the EU now must follow their investments in SEPA with preparations for the Payment Services Directive.

Analyst warns of more trouble brewing for banks
Oppenheimer and Co. analyst Meredith Whitney says the federal efforts to bailout banks will not be enough to float the companies through the year.

Unite and the BPIF Tackle the Chancellor on Unhelpful Banks
LONDON, January 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Unite Assistant General Secretary Tony Burke and BPIF Chief Executive Michael Johnson have written to Chancellor Alistair Darling to voice concerns with regard to the unhelpful attitude of banks to small print businesses.

Foundation gives grants to local food banks
The MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation has offered a combined $90,000 in grants for food banks to meet an increasing demand for service in area towns.

Early Glance: Commercial Banks companies
(AP:NEW YORK) Shares of some top commercial banks companies are down at 10 a.m.: First Horizon fell $.21 or 1.9 percent, to $10.56. Zions Bancorp fell $1.32 or 5.2 percent, to $23.83.

Early Glance: Investment Banks companies
(AP:NEW YORK) Shares of some top investment banks companies are down at 10 a.m.: Goldman Sachs fell $1.06 or 1.2 percent, to $87.65. Morgan Stanley fell $.39 or 2.0 percent, to $19.19.

Two Pampanga rural banks declare holidays
MANILA, Philippines - Two rural banks in Pampanga declared holidays during the last two weeks, a month after 14 lenders were placed under government control to preserve its assets and protect depositors.