1.   Banks reported a brisk demand for letters of credit and fund transfers as customers scrambled to raise deposits on homes and businesses they had rented for decades.

2.   Acer is riding high on brisk global demand for personal computers, computer peripherals and computer components.

3.   Companies are rushing to increase capacity to meet brisk international demand for semiconductors, analysts and executives said.

4.   Corn rose to a fourth straight record as persistent brisk demand erodes critically low U.S. inventories.

5.   Corn rose after a report of strong U.S. exports renewed hopes for brisk international demand this year.

6.   Corn rose to a fourth consecutive record as persistent brisk demand erodes critically low U.S. inventories.

7.   For that reason, companies that conduct e-mail promotions on behalf of Internet retailers have reported brisk demand for their services in recent months.

8.   Heating oil rose to five-year highs on the Nymex last week on concern U.S. inventories may not be adequate to meet brisk demand this winter.

9.   Hoogovens NV said its net profit rose almost five-fold in the first half, helped by higher prices and brisk demand for its steel and aluminum products.

10.   Inventories are running behind last year because the past cold winter fueled brisk demand.