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World credit loss '£1.8 trillion' World credit loss '£1.8 trillion'
(about 2 hours later)
The world's financial firms have now lost £1.8 trillion ($2.8 trillion) as a result of the continuing credit crisis, the Bank of England has estimated.The world's financial firms have now lost £1.8 trillion ($2.8 trillion) as a result of the continuing credit crisis, the Bank of England has estimated.
It adds that total spending by central banks and governments to shore up banks now totals £5 trillion.It adds that total spending by central banks and governments to shore up banks now totals £5 trillion.
The Bank also warned that 1.2 million homeowners in the UK now face going into negative equity if house prices continue recent sharp falls.The Bank also warned that 1.2 million homeowners in the UK now face going into negative equity if house prices continue recent sharp falls.
The Bank gave the figures in its latest bi-annual Financial Stability Report.The Bank gave the figures in its latest bi-annual Financial Stability Report.
'Fundamental rethink''Fundamental rethink'
Warning that UK banks could now face stricter measures to avoid a repeat of the current credit crisis, the Bank said there may be "a need for a fundamental rethink of how to safeguard against systemic risk".Warning that UK banks could now face stricter measures to avoid a repeat of the current credit crisis, the Bank said there may be "a need for a fundamental rethink of how to safeguard against systemic risk".
Looking further ahead, we need a fundamental rethink of how to manage systemic risk internationally Deputy governor Sir John Gieve Looking further ahead, we need a fundamental rethink of how to manage systemic risk internationally Deputy governor Sir John Gieve class="" href="/1/hi/business/7694999.stm">The report's key findings
The UK recently announced it would be putting a total of up to £37bn into Royal Bank of Scotland, HBOS and Lloyds TSB.The UK recently announced it would be putting a total of up to £37bn into Royal Bank of Scotland, HBOS and Lloyds TSB.
The Bank of England's new estimate on global losses is double the estimate that it published in May.The Bank of England's new estimate on global losses is double the estimate that it published in May.
Bank deputy governor Sir John Gieve said the "fundamental rethink" meant increasing capital and liquidity requirements at institutions.Bank deputy governor Sir John Gieve said the "fundamental rethink" meant increasing capital and liquidity requirements at institutions.
'Stronger restraints''Stronger restraints'
According to the Financial Stability (FSR) report, the UK banking industry expanded over-rapidly when times were good, but lacked a solid foundation to cope when things turned bad.According to the Financial Stability (FSR) report, the UK banking industry expanded over-rapidly when times were good, but lacked a solid foundation to cope when things turned bad.
Mr Gieve said: "Looking further ahead, we need a fundamental rethink of how to manage systemic risk internationally.Mr Gieve said: "Looking further ahead, we need a fundamental rethink of how to manage systemic risk internationally.
"We need to establish stronger restraints on the build-up of risks in the financial system over the cycle with the dangers they bring to the wider economy.""We need to establish stronger restraints on the build-up of risks in the financial system over the cycle with the dangers they bring to the wider economy."
Measures mooted in the FSR include a "leverage ratio", which would peg back the growth in banks' balance sheets to the size of their capital.Measures mooted in the FSR include a "leverage ratio", which would peg back the growth in banks' balance sheets to the size of their capital.
Another suggestion is "dynamic provisioning", which would encourage banks to build up their reserves or take out insurance against having to seek funding injections.Another suggestion is "dynamic provisioning", which would encourage banks to build up their reserves or take out insurance against having to seek funding injections.
'Funding gap''Funding gap'
The report points out that in 2001, UK customer lending was comparable to customer deposits.The report points out that in 2001, UK customer lending was comparable to customer deposits.
But by the first half of 2008 the surplus of lending over deposits - "the customer funding gap" - was £700bn.But by the first half of 2008 the surplus of lending over deposits - "the customer funding gap" - was £700bn.
The report said banks should strengthen their finances by increasing customer deposits, holding more assets that are easy to sell and reducing reliance on wholesale money markets.The report said banks should strengthen their finances by increasing customer deposits, holding more assets that are easy to sell and reducing reliance on wholesale money markets.
Last week Bank governor Mervyn King said the British banking system had been closer to collapse earlier this month than at any time since the start of World War I.Last week Bank governor Mervyn King said the British banking system had been closer to collapse earlier this month than at any time since the start of World War I.
He also said that a "little more boredom" would be no bad thing for the industry.He also said that a "little more boredom" would be no bad thing for the industry.
The US Federal Reserve is to begin a two-day meeting on Tuesday to decide whether to reduce interest rates again.The US Federal Reserve is to begin a two-day meeting on Tuesday to decide whether to reduce interest rates again.
The Fed is widely expected to cut rates to 1% from 1.5%, which would take rates to their lowest level since 2001.The Fed is widely expected to cut rates to 1% from 1.5%, which would take rates to their lowest level since 2001.
Analysts expect that this move will lead to further cuts in interest rates in European banks.Analysts expect that this move will lead to further cuts in interest rates in European banks.