11.   Banks use unrealized gains on their stock portfolios to offset losses as they write off trillions of yen in bad loans.

12.   Banks use profits earned from record-low rates to help write off trillions of yen in bad loans.

13.   Banks use that instrument to set commercial lending rates.

14.   Banks use the bill as a benchmark when setting lending rates for companies and individuals.

15.   Bank of Japan Gov. Yaps Matsushita insists the bank has never used monetary policy to influence currency levels.

16.   Banks are also using computer technology to improve the age-old process of clearing paper checks.

17.   Banks have used it to thwart robbers, and department stores have used cameras to catch shoplifters.

18.   Bernhardt said banks use fees to supplement revenues lost because of low interest rates.

19.   Both banks used the seats as collateral for Fogade funds.

20.   A bank might use health information from its insurance subsidiary to deny people loans, they say.