81.   In a related move last week, the FDIC proposed that capital requirements be doubled for banks that specialize in risky loans to people with inferior credit histories.

82.   It calls for high capital requirements for media enterprises, which could force many papers to close down.

83.   It said the other seven finance companies have complied with the capital requirement ahead of the deadline.

84.   Iwan said that if the banks faced difficulties fulfilling the minimum capital requirement, they should either merge or seek new shareholders.

85.   Last week, the FDIC proposed a doubling of the capital requirements for banks that specialize in risky loans to people with inferior credit histories.

86.   Local banks have to meet their capital adequacy requirements by the end of March under the International Monetary Fund-led reform program.

87.   Munir also informed the gathering that the SC had asked the KLSE to come up with new risk-adjusted capital adequacy requirements for its members.

88.   Most private banks will have to merge with other banks or invite foreign investors to enable them to meet the new capital requirement, he said.

89.   On the issue of capital adequacy requirements, he said the initiative had been on the agenda for a couple of years.

90.   Principal industry regulator, Bank Negara, is allowing insurance companies time to comply with the new capital requirement.