Dealbook: As Irene Approaches, Banks Prepare For The Worst

As Hurricane Irene travels up the East Coast, New York is steeling itself for potential disaster. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the state on Thursday, and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has urged city residents of low-lying areas to evacuate their homes by 5 p.m. on Saturday.

DealBook: As Irene Approaches, Banks Prepare for the Worst

Backlink: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=47b4659b848f228e3d44ffd936d51138

Doubts Still Harbored About Europe’s Banks

European banks are better armored for a crisis than they were in 2008, analysts say, but some still doubt whether the protection is enough to withstand another big shock.

Doubts Still Harbored About Europe’s Banks

Backlink: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=8d5274cc2d544546a8aae1c53742d0a2

Fears Grow In Europe That Banks Need Cash

Concerns about the banking system rose after a report that an unnamed bank turned to the European Central Bank for a $500 million loan.

Fears Grow in Europe That Banks Need Cash

Backlink: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=ae6e3a6c8536a1048b7586db49a99ffe

DealBook: F.D.I.C. Seeks $2.5 Billion From Executives of Failed Banks

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation said on Tuesday that as of mid-December it had authorized lawsuits against 109 directors and officers of failed financial institutions in an effort to recover nearly $2.5 billion.

DealBook: F.D.I.C. Seeks $2.5 Billion From Executives of Failed Banks

Backlink: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=2b3e67d146498521ef87b36ab17eb9a0

U.S. Entices Big Banks in Canada

Some of Canada’s five big banks, which have plenty of money to expand, have their eyes on the American banks despite lackluster investments so far.

U.S. Entices Big Banks in Canada

Backlink: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=272c2a0c18b4281aabe94073e6b32f94

NYT on Banks and Wikileaks: "a troubling prospect"

A New York Times editorial today on the recent actions of Bank America, Visa, PayPal, and Mastercard to block payments to Wikileaks says the moves raise "troubling questions," given the fact that Wikileaks has not been charged or convicted of any crime: What would happen if a clutch of big banks decided that a particularly irksome blogger or other organization was "too risky"? What if they decided -- one by one -- to shut down financial access to a newspaper that was about to reveal irksome truths about their operations? This decision should not be left solely up to business-as-usual among the banks. Banks and Wikileaks (NYT)...

NYT on Banks and Wikileaks: "a troubling prospect"

Backlink: http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/IyuHOGAJgmw/nyt-on-banks-and-wik.html

Tax Inquiry Shifts to Small Swiss Banks

Institutions known as cantonal banks might have been seen as a safe haven for tax evaders. Federal authorities are looking at Wall Street banks that provide banking services to them.

Tax Inquiry Shifts to Small Swiss Banks

Backlink: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=725128ee780e0d0a7ad35a5a02a325a6

In a Sign of Foreclosure Flaws, Suits Claim Break-Ins by Banks

Critics said a tide of lawsuits accusing banks of wrongfully breaking into homes reinforced their claim that the foreclosure process was fundamentally flawed.

In a Sign of Foreclosure Flaws, Suits Claim Break-Ins by Banks

Backlink: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=799c540bcac78618703b83f7f2260382

Newly Built Ghost Towns Haunt Banks in Spain

The wreckage of Spain’s once booming construction industry is everywhere, and much of it sits as bad debt on the books of Spain’s banks.

Newly Built Ghost Towns Haunt Banks in Spain

Backlink: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=fb8e87b2e14a86fbf87381e84abb6bc8

Banks Cut Exposure to Europe’s Debt Woes

The experience of banks around the world could ease fears that Europe’s sovereign debt woes will provoke a crisis.

Banks Cut Exposure to Europe’s Debt Woes

Backlink: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=14237e57cb118e39c285d27241c13ae3

Ireland Strives to Rebuild Trust in Its Banks

The head of Ireland’s central bank says regulators must be more convincing that the worst will soon be over.

Ireland Strives to Rebuild Trust in Its Banks

Backlink: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=774de750551d113dfb0396426fe4f654

French Soccer Star Calls for a Run on Banks

On Tuesday banks will learn whether depositors will heed the call by Éric Cantona, the former soccer player, for a bloodless “revolution” against banks by withdrawing money.

French Soccer Star Calls for a Run on Banks

Backlink: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=66d0c34595cf9de1c861f00f991c7bda

DealBook: How Banks Pawned Junk to the Fed

As part of an emergency loan program, the Fed accepted as collateral more than $1 trillion in junk-rated investments from Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and others, according to data released Wednesday by the Fed. Banks pledged more than $490 billion in particularly risky collateral –  which credit rating agencies classified as Triple-c or below. Some collateral included mortgage-backed securities and other risky investments.

DealBook: How Banks Pawned Junk to the Fed

Backlink: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=492f613638ce68116cb17e0619b3d821