1.   Banking shares are also a key sector of the Market, and any rally among them would push up the Nikkei significantly.

2.   Analysts also said investors and traders will be eyeing Tokyo share prices in the week ahead, and banking shares in particular.

3.   Any rebound in banking shares could weigh on bonds by sparking speculation the Bank of Japan may have room to raise record-low interest rates.

4.   Banking shares also declined on concern major banks will have to foot more of the bill for non-performing loans extended by affiliated housing lenders which are no longer solvent.

5.   Banking shares climbed on expectations the government will help lenders take care of their bad loans and exporters fell with the dollar.

6.   Banking shares including those of J.P. Morgan, Citicorp, Bankers Trust and Chase Manhattan were among the leading gainers.

7.   Banking shares like Banco Bilbao Vizcaya SA and Banco Santander SA were among the biggest gainers on the prospects of earnings growth from falling interest rates.

8.   Banking shares suffered this week as federal budget talks between Congress and President Clinton failed to reach a compromise.

9.   Banking shares were also weaker amid continuing worry an expected spate of new share issuances could drive down prices if supply outstrips ready demand.

10.   Bank shares because of their steady, dividend-rich returns, compete for investors with bonds and other fixed-income securities.