Thursday, June 21, 2012

Global Financial House Of Cards In Peril By New Round Of Moody's Downgrades

Britain gets sucked into the mix..  British banks to be downgraded by credit ratings agency Moody’s as euro-crisis spreads  The Extinction Protocol.  Excerpts:

Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays are all in line for a downgrade by ratings agency Moody’s over fears the eurozone crisis threatens their stability. In a move that would cost financial institutions billions of pounds and could have a knock-on effect on the cost of credit to business and consumers, Moody’s is set to push some banks down two notches, sources said. Moody’s will also downgrade a number of the biggest banks around the world, it was claimed, a decision that would show how the eurozone sovereign debt crisis is hitting all areas of global finance. The cuts are part of a wider review by Moody’s of the global banking sector that Sky News said is likely to be unveiled tonight after the US market closes. The downgrades, which are expected to range in scope from one notch to three notches, will follow joint efforts by the Bank of England and Treasury to boost cash flows in Britain’s banks through a multi billion pound cheap loan scheme. The banking industry has been hit by higher funding costs as the eurozone troubles escalated and has been hoarding money for fear of another worrying phase in the crisis.

And U.S. banks aren't immune,either..  This from the L.A. Times.  Excerpts:

U.S. banks hammered with downgrades: Moody’s Investors Service lowered the credit ratings of 15 the world’s largest banks late Thursday, including Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, saying their long-term prospects for profitability and growth are shrinking. The ratings agency said it was especially concerned about banks with significant financial markets businesses because those markets have become so volatile.



The global effects of this round of downgrades should be a large portion CNBC's jabber-talky today, but probably not scary enough for Rick Santelli to shit his pants on-air.  Although that day is coming, it probably won't be Friday..  When that day comes, don't worry, though:  I will be posting video!

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