Financial Services
Fannie Mae relaxing loan downpayment requirements
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fannie Mae, the nation's largest U.S. home funding source, is creating a single national standard for down payments on mortgages it buys including areas where home prices are falling, in an effort to stimulate the troubled housing market. Full Article
FDIC sees another wave of U.S. credit stress coming
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp said on Friday that another wave of U.S. credit stress was coming, involving non-mortgage loans. Full Article
Citi mulls options for key German business
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Citigroup is mulling strategic options for its retail bank in Germany, the embattled U.S. bank said on Friday, sending its first public signal that the centrepiece of its European business may be up for sale. Full Article
Credit Suisse CEO cautions on short-term markets
GENEVA (Reuters) - The chief executive of Credit Suisse warned on Friday about short-term dangers ahead in financial markets, but said he was optimistic about his own bank's outlook in the ongoing crisis. Full Article
SMFG posts big rebound, forecasts modest growth
TOKYO (Reuters) - Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group reported a threefold increase in fourth-quarter profit, rebounding from massive losses at its consumer finance unit a year earlier, and it forecast modest growth ahead. Full Article
Baloise Q1 volume up 6.7 pct, payout claims lower
ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss insurer Baloise reported a 6.7 percent rise in business for the first quarter on Thursday and lower payouts from insurance claims. Full Article
UniCredit agrees 747 mln euros branch sale
MILAN (Reuters) - UniCredit SpA has sealed a 747 million euros ($1.2 billion) deal to sell 184 branches to a group of domestic banks to meet antitrust demands over its purchase of Capitalia, the Italian bank said on Friday. Full Article
INTERVIEW-UPDATE 2-EFG sees more M&A prospects in tough markets
ST GALLEN, Switzerland (Reuters) - Swiss private bank EFG International sees more chances to make acquisitions during current tough market conditions, its chairman told Reuters on Friday. Full Article
Banco Popolare shares jump as Q1 suggests worst over
MILAN (Reuters) - Shares in Italy's Banco Popolare climbed over 7 percent as first-quarter results persuaded the market the worst might be over after a year of massive losses at its Banca Italease investment. Full Article
Italy to raise taxes on banks - govt sources
ROME (Reuters) - Italy's new government will raise taxes on banks to help finance increased spending on law and order and fulfil its promises to cut or eliminate some taxes, government sources said on Friday. Full Article
HBOS sells stake in Rightmove
LONDON (Reuters) - HBOS , Britain's biggest mortgage lender, said on Friday it has sold its remaining 13 percent stake in property Web site operator Rightmove for 59.2 million pounds. Full Article
| Symbol | Bid | Ask |
|---|---|---|
| BRENT CRUDE | $124.54 | $124.57 |
| MINI GOLD | $898.00 | $898.40 |
| MINI SILVER | $16.95 | $16.96 |
