1.   The need for change has been dramatized by plummeting bank profits.

2.   Among their other attractions, Canadian bank profits are surging.

3.   An interest rate increase would hurt bank profits, since banks borrow short-term at low rates and lend out longer term at higher rates.

4.   An interest increase would hurt bank profits, since banks borrow short-term at low rates and lend out longer term at higher rates.

5.   Analysts have warned that a slowdown of the U.S. economy could sap demand for loans, hurting bank profits.

6.   And growing competition from other financial service companies has carved deeply into bank profits.

7.   And though interest rates here have fallen to record lows, which should stimulate more lending and help bank profits, the balance sheets of many institutions remain weak.

8.   As borrowing costs fall, bank profits rise.

9.   As a result, the banks projected operating profit would decline.

10.   Asahi Bank Ltd. and Industrial Bank of Japan Ltd. lead the slide as traders said rising interest rates threaten to erode bank profits.