11.   Banking sector closed mixed.

12.   Budapest Bank was formerly headed by the recently appointed Finance Minister Lajos Bokros, and is a significant player in the Hungarian banking sector.

13.   But the market later reversed course on buying in the utility, retail and banking sectors.

14.   Denis de Tray, the World Bank director in Jakarta, said the organization encourages consolidation of the state banking sector.

15.   European stocks fell Wednesday, led by the resources, telecommunications and banking sectors.

16.   Efforts to reform the lagging banking sector would prove important in helping Pakistan avoid the fiscal problems of its regional neighbors, he said.

17.   In a sign of support for the unstable private banking sector, President Ion Iliescu has opened an account at a private bank.

18.   Instead, he said, ANZ would strengthen its personal finance services in the region while maintaining its position in the corporate and project banking sectors.

19.   Indonesia to overhaul banking sector.

20.   Meanwhile, the heavyweight banking sector was still being hurt by profit warnings issued by J.P. Morgan and Chase Manhattan Thursday.