21.   Higher interest rates may have hurt bank shares, like Grupo Financiero BBV-Probursa SA, because fewer people seek new credit when borrowing costs rise.

22.   Higher interest rates could chill new construction activity and discourage bank customers from seeking new credit.

23.   Higher interest rates may discourage customers with overdue loans from repaying their debts and others from seeking new credit, which will hurt bank earnings.

24.   Higher interest rates might prevent bank customers from repaying overdue loans or attempt to arrange new credit, which will hurt earnings.

25.   Higher rates will prevent companies and consumers from looking for new credit, which will hurt earnings at banks and construction companies.

26.   If interest rates in Mexico rise, consumers and company may be discouraged from seeking new credit or repaying overdue loans.

27.   If local interest rates rise, current bank customers may find it harder to repay their loans and new customers may refrain from seeking new credit.

28.   Informix also said yesterday that it improved its financial situation with new equity investments, new credits, sale of real estate and cuts in operating expenses.

29.   It would be the third week of falling interest rates, which could help lower company borrowing costs and spur demand for new credit.

30.   Lower borrowing costs encourages more customers to repay overdue loans or seek new credits.