31.   Fed officials have made comments that spurred speculation the central bank may try to reinvigorate the economy by cutting interest rates, which could boost bank profits.

32.   Higher interest rates can hurt bank profits because fewer businesses and individuals borrow money when rates go up.

33.   Higher interest rates crimp bank profits by reducing demand for consumer loans and mortgages.

34.   Higher interest rates crimp bank profits by reducing demand for loans and mortgages.

35.   Higher interest rates would weigh on bank profits and make it harder for them to clean up their non-recoverable loans.

36.   Higher rates increase borrowing costs for companies and squeeze bank profits by increasing rates they must pay depositors.

37.   Higher interest rates discourage borrowing and damp banks profits.

38.   Higher interest rates hurt banks profits by raising their costs of funds and discouraging consumers and businesses from borrowing.

39.   Higher rates raise the cost of borrowing for companies and consumers and tend to undermine bank profits.

40.   Higher rates raise the cost of borrowing for companies and consumers, and tend to undermine bank profits.