81 billion to save the Irish banks
"We have a banking sector in very difficult position since September 2008. On the airwaves of public radio RTE, the Irish Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan announced a massive bailout about to upset the Irish financial sector. His government is preparing to take effect in banking reform to rid the system of 81 billion euros of toxic assets from the Financial Times. The information was officially confirmed in the afternoon.
16 billion euros at a discount of 47%
To carry out this project, the government created the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA), a bank created to buy their rotten assets, mostly mortgages risky accumulated before the bursting of the credit crisis.Initially, the NAMA buys 16 billion euros in loans at a discount of 47%, a figure well above the 30% proposed last fall. Hence the need for strengthening the state capital of Irish banks.
The Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has already announced that the Irish government would recapitalize the Bank Anglo Irish Bank, has already nationalized last year, amounting to 8.3 billion euros.
Wave of nationalization
The government also planned to assist Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland to recapitalize after making each of the two banks, 3.5 billion euros. It should become the majority shareholder in AIB with 70% of capital and to remain a minority shareholder Bofi, with 40% of capital.At the Dublin Stock Exchange, Allied Irish Banks has lost 10.07% to 1.25 euros and Bank of Ireland has yielded 9.40% to 1.25 euros.
Finally, the government will also recapitalize two mutual credit institutions, the Irish Nationwide and EBS, which will lead to their complete nationalization, "said Lenihan.
According to analysts, banks would need 15 to 20 billion euros while strengthening their own funds. The Irish Central Bank has assessed the needs of AIB and Bofi respectively to 7.4 billion euros and 2.7 billion euros. Irish banks could raise some of the money itself, by making asset sales. In return, the rules will have to be modified. The banks should strengthen their Core Tier 1 ratio to bring it to 8%."We must put our banks in a situation where they will be able to finance themselves with confidence on the international markets," said Brian Lenihan.
Investors are concerned because the wave of nationalization or increased state participation in banks suggests that such a plan. That recapitalization by the government should increase its stake in the bank (AIB) to more than 70% against 16% currently. The competitor in its Bank of Ireland (Bofi) should rise to 40% against 25% today. The state had already acquired shares having salvaged their coffers 3.5 billion euros.
Ireland under surveillance
Global markets keep an eye on the reforms undertaken in Ireland. The country is indeed one of the most affected by the crisis.In 2009, economic activity has suffered a fall of 7.1% and the country is still not out of the recession. The government keeps its hopes for recovery in the second half of this year.
According to analysts, if this ambitious plan than the original amounts provided by the government, this could affect the country's sovereign debt. Just as Greece, Portugal or Spain, Ireland through debt problems which have already led to a program of fiscal restraint in December. At 11.7% of GDP, the budget deficit is currently the largest after that of Greece which was 12.7%.
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