21.   Banking analysts say that if banks narrow their interest-rate spreads, they will lock in less profit.

22.   Banking sources said Swire Pacific executives had made inquiries regarding a syndicated loan.

23.   Banking officials said Wednesday that the government had fallen into arrears on repayments of World Bank loans to the state power and telecommunications utilities.

24.   Banking sources said the government was expected to announce new equity requirements by the end of the month that would force more bank mergers.

25.   Banking analysts have said that market reaction -- after Chinese New Year and Moslem Idul Fitri holidays -- would be critical.

26.   The dong is considered overvalued against the U.S. dollar, and banking observers have said the recent weakness in Asian currencies could make Vietnamese exports relatively more expensive.

27.   He declined to name the other banks, but banking sources said they were DZ Bank, HypoVereinsbank and Bayerische Landesbank.

28.   However, banking sources said the central bank had only decided to act earlier this month.

29.   However, banking experts here said that while the competitiveness of foreign banks would be limited initially, its potential for growth could not be ignored.

30.   In Poland, banking authorities said euros had arrived in early December, but declined to reveal the precise amount.