41.   The prime lending rate in Singapore might rise next year, a senior local banker was reported as saying Wednesday.

42.   Islamic banks are expected to expand their activities in Asia, already the biggest base for such business, a senior Islamic banker said on Tuesday.

43.   A senior Arab banker on Wednesday criticised regional banks for failing to merge to face world competition and urged local authorities to take measures to spur such a process.

44.   A senior western banker who met Gerashchenko late Thursday said he was in a jovial mood and showed no signs he was considering resigning.

45.   The sacked officials were replaced by senior banker Faizuddin Ahmed and revenue official Emdadul Huq.

46.   Vietnam is unlikely to successfully establish its planned stock exchange unless accounting practices are tightened, a senior banker warned here Monday.

47.   Senior central bankers from Asia met here Friday at a symposium on money, agreeing that cooperation was a good thing but was easier said than done.

48.   South African vice-president Thabo Mbeki met Tuesday with senior German bankers and business representatives to discuss investment opportunities in South Africa, sources close to the talks said.