Markets hit as Greece letter shows just how close it came to defaulting on a €750m IMF payment May 18, 2015 The FTSE 100 started the day on a positive note, edging back above the 7,000 mark – but that was quickly curtailed, after the publication of a letter from Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras to International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde showed just how close it came to defaulting on a €750m (£544m) payment [...]
Greek government moves to rule out a bailout referendum May 13, 2015 A leading member of the Greek government yesterday insisted that a referendum to secure government support for its bailout strategy is not on the cards. It will instead try and reach a compromise with its lenders. Interior minister Nikos Voutsis said “We are working towards an honourable compromise. An immediate recourse to a referendum or [...]
ECB raises emergency loan limit to £57bn for Greek banks May 12, 2015 The European Central Bank (ECB) has raised its emergency loan limit for Greek banks by €1.1bn (£0.8). The Emergency Liquidity Assistance lifeline, which is provided by the Bank of Greece, is now worth €80bn (£57bn). The decision to raise the level was passed by the ECB's governing council today, and comes a day [...]
Greece raided reserves at IMF to meet debt repayment deadline May 12, 2015 Greece had to raid emergency reserves in its holding account at creditor the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to meet the deadline for its sizeable €750m (£544m) repayment. An official told Reuters the cash-strapped country had been forced to tap into around €650m (£467m) from its holding account with the organisation. "We made use [...]
Greece beats deadline for €750m loan repayment to IMF May 11, 2015 Some expected Greece to default on it's latest debt repayment, but it has proved them wrong. Today, following extensive discussions with creditor nations on the struggling economy's future in the Eurozone, a transfer of €750m (£544m) was made from Greece to the IMF, beating tomorrow's deadline for the payment. It is not clear how [...]
Could Greece ever pay off all its debt? Tomorrow’s IMF repayment is just the tip of the iceberg May 11, 2015 Eurozone ministers have once again gathered in Brussels to try and negotiate a deal between Greece and its creditors, but a big question mark hangs over whether the struggling nation could realistically remain in the Euro. Tomorrow, it must fork out a €750m (£544m) loan repayment for the IMF, but this is just the start [...]
Timeline to a Greek tragedy: How Syriza has fared in its first 100 days May 7, 2015 As one country goes to the polls to decide who will lead it for the next five years, another is taking a moment to reflect on the ramifications of its own choices: Syriza, the leftist party voted in during a snap election in January, celebrates its 100th day in power today. Given the party was [...]
Greece’s creditors deny a split as Monday deal hopes fade May 6, 2015 Greece’s creditors yesterday hit back at claims they were obstructing negotiations with the cash-strapped country, while officials cast doubt on an agreement being reached at a meeting of finance ministers on Monday. The Greek finance ministry also denied reports it was about to tax bank transactions or wealthy families to alleviate its fiscal position. “The [...]
European markets shrug off jitters over Greece as IMF pushes for debt relief May 5, 2015 European markets kept calm this morning, despite more jitters as the Greek government entered yet another round of talks with its creditors. The FTSE 100 rose 0.43 per cent in mid-morning trading, suggesting market uncertainty over the election is muted, while Germany's Dax fell 0.23 per cent and France's Cac edged down 0.03 per cent. [...]
Yanis Varoufakis gets official backing but Greek bailout deal proves elusive May 5, 2015 Greece's government yesterday said it backed finance minister Yanis Varoufakis and remained intent on securing extra bailout funding. However, comments from officials suggested talks with creditors may continue to stall ahead of two payments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – one tomorrow and another on 12 May totalling almost €1bn (£0.7bn). “The [...]