U.S. to provide 'capital buffer' as needed for banks

Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:01:31 -0500

U.S. to provide 'capital buffer' as needed for banks

The U.S. will stand ready to provide a "temporary capital buffer" to
banks that fail a planned stress test and are unable to secure help
from private sources, regulators announce.

REPORT: GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS BIGGER STAKE IN CITI

Citigroup Inc. reportedly is in talks with federal officials for the U.S.
government to expand its ownership of the bank, just days after
Citigroup's stock slumped to an 18-year low and Bank of America Corp.
shares hit a record low on worries the two financial giants may be
nationalized.

CLINTON URGES CHINA TO KEEP BUYING U.S. TREASURYS: REPORTS

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrapped up a state visit to China
Sunday by urging her hosts to continue to invest in U.S. Treasury
instruments and underscoring the two countries' interdependence,
according to published reports.

ASIAN NATIONS LIFT CURRENCY-DEFENSE FUND TO $120 BLN FROM $80 BLN

Asian nations agree to broaden the common reserves they can draw on to
protect regional currencies to $120 billion.

EUROPEAN G20 LEADERS CALL FOR BROAD FINANCIAL REGULATION: REPORTS

The European leaders of the Group of 20 call for more transparency and
regulation of all financial markets, products and investors, including
hedge funds, according to published reports.