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| Northern Rock deposits guaranteed | Northern Rock deposits guaranteed |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The government has said that it will guarantee all deposits held by the embattled Northern Rock bank. | The government has said that it will guarantee all deposits held by the embattled Northern Rock bank. |
| The pledge by Chancellor Alistair Darling is an attempt to reinforce confidence in the beleaguered firm. | The pledge by Chancellor Alistair Darling is an attempt to reinforce confidence in the beleaguered firm. |
| More than £2bn has been withdrawn by customers since the bank applied for emergency funding from the Bank of England last week. | More than £2bn has been withdrawn by customers since the bank applied for emergency funding from the Bank of England last week. |
| Northern Rock shares were 40% down at one point on Monday and ended 35.4% lower as fears grew for its future. | Northern Rock shares were 40% down at one point on Monday and ended 35.4% lower as fears grew for its future. |
| Banks are already covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme which protects 100% of the first £2,000 in any bank account and 90% of the next £33,000 - giving a maximum payout of £31,700 if a bank did go bust. | Banks are already covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme which protects 100% of the first £2,000 in any bank account and 90% of the next £33,000 - giving a maximum payout of £31,700 if a bank did go bust. |
| But under the measures unveiled by Mr Darling, Northern Rock savers would not lose a penny, regardless of how much they had deposited. | But under the measures unveiled by Mr Darling, Northern Rock savers would not lose a penny, regardless of how much they had deposited. |
| 'Public confidence' | 'Public confidence' |
| The chancellor reiterated comments made by the Treasury and financial services watchdog the FSA that Northern Rock is a solvent business. | The chancellor reiterated comments made by the Treasury and financial services watchdog the FSA that Northern Rock is a solvent business. |
| However these reassurances have not stopped anxious savers from queuing outside branches of the bank to make withdrawals. | However these reassurances have not stopped anxious savers from queuing outside branches of the bank to make withdrawals. |
| Mr Darling said that people could continue to take money out of the bank, but that if they choose to leave it there it would be secure. | Mr Darling said that people could continue to take money out of the bank, but that if they choose to leave it there it would be secure. |
| NORTHERN ROCK CRISIS Bank needed £1.6bn from Bank of England to stay afloatHad been financing lending by borrowing on credit marketsFears about exposure to bad loans in the US dried up credit US economy expected to slow as bad loans hit housing market Uncertain how much exposure other banks have to bad debt | NORTHERN ROCK CRISIS Bank needed £1.6bn from Bank of England to stay afloatHad been financing lending by borrowing on credit marketsFears about exposure to bad loans in the US dried up credit US economy expected to slow as bad loans hit housing market Uncertain how much exposure other banks have to bad debt |
| The decision to guarantee all deposits came, he said, because he wanted "to put the matter beyond doubt" and "because of the importance I place on maintaining a stable banking system and public confidence in it". | The decision to guarantee all deposits came, he said, because he wanted "to put the matter beyond doubt" and "because of the importance I place on maintaining a stable banking system and public confidence in it". |
| FSA chairman Callum McCarthy told the BBC that he welcomed the move. | |
| "The purpose of this is not to save the the Northenr Rock per se," he said. | |
| "It's to make sure that there's not a negative effect on the banking system overall." | |
| Growing turmoil | |
| Northern Rock has booked advertisements in Tuesday's national newspapers and they will read: "Your money is safe with us. If you want some or all of it back you will get it back. But if it stays with us it is secure. | Northern Rock has booked advertisements in Tuesday's national newspapers and they will read: "Your money is safe with us. If you want some or all of it back you will get it back. But if it stays with us it is secure. |
| "These have been troubled times but Northern Rock will prevail, we will not let you down." | "These have been troubled times but Northern Rock will prevail, we will not let you down." |
| The firm says that it has not used any of the Bank facility for funds offered to it. | The firm says that it has not used any of the Bank facility for funds offered to it. |
| In London, Northern Rock's shares, which had lost 32% on Friday, fell from 438 pence to 282.75 pence. | In London, Northern Rock's shares, which had lost 32% on Friday, fell from 438 pence to 282.75 pence. |
| Shares in other mortgage banks also suffered, with Alliance & Leicester slumping in late trading to finish 31.3% lower. Bradford & Bingley shares were also down, losing 15.4%. | Shares in other mortgage banks also suffered, with Alliance & Leicester slumping in late trading to finish 31.3% lower. Bradford & Bingley shares were also down, losing 15.4%. |
| It is understood Northern Rock was almost sold to rival bank Lloyds TSB over the summer. | It is understood Northern Rock was almost sold to rival bank Lloyds TSB over the summer. |
| However, the deal fell through because of the difficulty of borrowing money in the current financial climate. | However, the deal fell through because of the difficulty of borrowing money in the current financial climate. |
| The lower the Northern Rock share falls the easier it would be for a rival to take it over. | The lower the Northern Rock share falls the easier it would be for a rival to take it over. |
| Experts at Lehman Brothers said in a statement: "Any interested buyer appears to be in a strong position over price." | Experts at Lehman Brothers said in a statement: "Any interested buyer appears to be in a strong position over price." |
| As a staff member of Northern Rock I would just like to say that there is no need to panic - the Bank of England and all other authorities back Northern Rock 110% Gill Whitelock Have Your Say: Bank worries? Northern Rock staff 'threats' | As a staff member of Northern Rock I would just like to say that there is no need to panic - the Bank of England and all other authorities back Northern Rock 110% Gill Whitelock Have Your Say: Bank worries? Northern Rock staff 'threats' |
| Northern Rock branches had opened at 0800 BST on Monday - an hour earlier than usual. | Northern Rock branches had opened at 0800 BST on Monday - an hour earlier than usual. |
| Chief executive Adam Applegarth told the BBC he could not discuss possible takeovers, nor would he confirm the exact amount of cash withdrawn from bank branches since Friday. | Chief executive Adam Applegarth told the BBC he could not discuss possible takeovers, nor would he confirm the exact amount of cash withdrawn from bank branches since Friday. |
| The BBC's business editor Robert Peston said the £2bn withdrawn - which represents about 8% of the £24bn deposits it held on Thursday - was actually less than the mortgage lender and officials at the Bank of England and Financial Services Authority had feared. | The BBC's business editor Robert Peston said the £2bn withdrawn - which represents about 8% of the £24bn deposits it held on Thursday - was actually less than the mortgage lender and officials at the Bank of England and Financial Services Authority had feared. |
| However it cannot be certain whether much more will be withdrawn in the coming days, especially from holders of Northern Rock's postal accounts - which contain about £10bn. | However it cannot be certain whether much more will be withdrawn in the coming days, especially from holders of Northern Rock's postal accounts - which contain about £10bn. |
| Not all Northern Rock branches have seen big queues on Monday. No one at all has been queuing in Belfast, Bournemouth, or Swindon. | Not all Northern Rock branches have seen big queues on Monday. No one at all has been queuing in Belfast, Bournemouth, or Swindon. |
| Much depends on what happens to Northern Rock over the coming days... Robert PestonBBC Business Editor Read Robert Peston's blog Rock's online account woes Cameron joins Rock row Northern Rock's share price | Much depends on what happens to Northern Rock over the coming days... Robert PestonBBC Business Editor Read Robert Peston's blog Rock's online account woes Cameron joins Rock row Northern Rock's share price |
| The BBC has learned that Lloyds TSB and RSB were very interested in acquiring the beleaguered firm. | The BBC has learned that Lloyds TSB and RSB were very interested in acquiring the beleaguered firm. |
| However, they were concerned about doing such a big deal amid turmoil in money markets and when it was difficult and expensive to raise money from other banks and financial institutions. | However, they were concerned about doing such a big deal amid turmoil in money markets and when it was difficult and expensive to raise money from other banks and financial institutions. |
| Mr Darling said the emergency lending facility offered to Northern Rock would be transferred to any new owner. | Mr Darling said the emergency lending facility offered to Northern Rock would be transferred to any new owner. |
| However once the facility expires - and the Bank will not make the expiry date public - there is no guarantee it would be extended for the new owner. | However once the facility expires - and the Bank will not make the expiry date public - there is no guarantee it would be extended for the new owner. |
| Northern Rock has struggled to raise money to finance its lending ever since money markets seized up over the summer. | Northern Rock has struggled to raise money to finance its lending ever since money markets seized up over the summer. |
| Unlike most banks, which get their money from customers making deposits into savings accounts, Northern Rock is built around its mortgage business. | Unlike most banks, which get their money from customers making deposits into savings accounts, Northern Rock is built around its mortgage business. |
| It raises most of the money which it provides for mortgages by borrowing from banks and other financial institutions. | It raises most of the money which it provides for mortgages by borrowing from banks and other financial institutions. |
| WHAT'S HAPPENING AT NORTHERN ROCK? Mortgage lending Northern Rock lends a large amount for mortgages, and finances this with money from banks and savers Savings Northern Rock receives a relatively small amount of money from saversMoney markets Have stopped lending money to Northern Rock due to the crisis in the US sub-prime mortgage marketBank of England Steps into the breach to give Northern Rock an emergency loan Images: PA, Getty | WHAT'S HAPPENING AT NORTHERN ROCK? Mortgage lending Northern Rock lends a large amount for mortgages, and finances this with money from banks and savers Savings Northern Rock receives a relatively small amount of money from saversMoney markets Have stopped lending money to Northern Rock due to the crisis in the US sub-prime mortgage marketBank of England Steps into the breach to give Northern Rock an emergency loan Images: PA, Getty |
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