41.   Higher reserves tend to cut bank profits, as they have less money to lend.

42.   If the central bank moved to raise rates, bank profits would suffer.

43.   In many cases, bank profits are driven by the ability to boost revenue and control costs over time.

44.   It partly reflects growing bank profits on derivatives.

45.   It was once a given that bank profits would increase by a third or more every year.

46.   Japanese stocks rose, led by banking shares, including Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank Ltd., as concern subsided that rising interest rates would squeeze bank profits.

47.   Japanese stocks fell, led by banks such as Sakura Bank Ltd., as investors expect interest rates will rise, cutting into bank profits.

48.   Less profitable loans may help squeeze bank profits harder still.

49.   Lower interest rates often strengthen bank profits by the increase the volume of consumer loans and mortgages.

50.   Losses from cards are expected to eat deeper into bank profits as more consumers, increasingly over-extended, are unable to pay their bills, analysts warned.