This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen
on .
It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7357880.stm
The article has changed 22 times. There is an available.
Version 8 |
Version 9 |
Bank details £50bn lending boost |
Bank details £50bn lending boost |
|
(30 minutes later)
|
The Bank of England has announced details of a £50bn plan to help prevent the credit crisis causing more damage to the UK banking system and economy. | The Bank of England has announced details of a £50bn plan to help prevent the credit crisis causing more damage to the UK banking system and economy. |
Banks will be able to swap potentially risky mortgage debts for secure government bonds to enable them to operate during the credit squeeze. | Banks will be able to swap potentially risky mortgage debts for secure government bonds to enable them to operate during the credit squeeze. |
The Bank's governor, Mervyn King, said the scheme aimed to improve liquidity in the banking system. | The Bank's governor, Mervyn King, said the scheme aimed to improve liquidity in the banking system. |
It should also increase confidence in financial markets, he added. | It should also increase confidence in financial markets, he added. |
Under the scheme, banks will be allowed to swap their mortgage debts for government securities. | Under the scheme, banks will be allowed to swap their mortgage debts for government securities. |
The swap will be for a period of one year and may be renewed for a total of up three years. | The swap will be for a period of one year and may be renewed for a total of up three years. |
It will only apply to mortgage debts on banks' books at the end of 2007 and the swaps cannot be used to finance new lending. | It will only apply to mortgage debts on banks' books at the end of 2007 and the swaps cannot be used to finance new lending. |
The BBC's business editor Robert Peston said the move could be seen as a major U-turn by the Bank. | The BBC's business editor Robert Peston said the move could be seen as a major U-turn by the Bank. |
Until now, it has been more conservative in its financial support for banks than the Federal Reserve in the US and the European Central Bank. | Until now, it has been more conservative in its financial support for banks than the Federal Reserve in the US and the European Central Bank. |
Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrats' Treasury spokesman, had warned that the move could effectively nationalise the banks' losses. | Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrats' Treasury spokesman, had warned that the move could effectively nationalise the banks' losses. |
But Mr King said the plan ensured that the risk of losses on the loans remained with the banks. | But Mr King said the plan ensured that the risk of losses on the loans remained with the banks. |
|
|
| What's your reaction to the Bank of England plan? Send us your comments by filling out the form below. |
| |