1.   Banking shares climbed on expectations the government will help lenders take care of their bad loans and exporters fell with the dollar.

2.   Banking stocks climbed more than one percent as a group.

3.   Banking stocks climbed more than one percent as a group, amid optimism that the government would act to support ailing lenders.

4.   Banking shares climbed further, helped by low interest rates and speculation about mergers.

5.   Meanwhile, banking shares climbed on expectations the government will help lenders take care of their bad loans.