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One in six banks “to fail” EU stress tests
Up to one in six European banks is set to fail an EU-wide financial health check, according to euro zone sources close to the stress-testing, as officials scramble to set up backstops for those at risk.
The result, which the European Central Bank (ECB) and others hope will persuade investors that the EU is finally coming clean about the extent of its banks’ problems, will put pressure on reluctant states to prop up lenders if they cannot raise money themselves.
Euro zone sources said the European Banking Authority is set to announce within weeks that between 10 and 15 of the 91 banks being scrutinised in the tests had failed, with casualties expected in Greece, Germany, Portugal and Spain.