31.   Since early last year the bank has been cutting its involvement in Argentina.

32.   Some banks have cut their growth forecasts for next year because of slowing export orders.

33.   Still, the bank may cut rates further.

34.   Some leading European banks have also cut many thousands of overlapping jobs after mergers.

35.   Tax payments will rise as banks cut costs, according to the ruling government coalition plan.

36.   Ten days later, after the bank did not cut rates, Trichet retreated.

37.   That means that if enough banks cut their rates by Friday, Capital One customers will see their rates come down the first of January.

38.   Svehla said he expects banks will cut staff as they buy new technology, hopefully keeping the smartest, and best-trained bankers.

39.   The bank could cut rates again this year if public and private spending stays under control, Massad said.

40.   The bank cut the rate by one quarter of a percentage point a month ago, coinciding with concerns about the U.S. slowdown.