1.   In the past a private sector proposal had to demonstrate that funding costs would be less than if it was carried out by the Government.

2.   As the disparity in foreign funding costs exposes the haves, they say, the have-nots will have to huddle closer to home.

3.   Bank bonds tend to be among the first to be hit by the threat of higher rates because their funding costs rise, narrowing profit margins on lending fees.

4.   Banks are more sensitive to the threat of higher interest rates because their funding costs rise, narrowing profit margins on lending fees.

5.   Companies are more likely to delay plans to expand in view of the higher funding costs, analysts said.

6.   Funding costs of all European borrowers will be affected by the strength or weakness of the euro currency.

7.   Higher interest rates have also crimped sales and increased funding costs for developers and forced some companies to sell property at a loss.

8.   Hong Kong banks already raised home mortgage rates after a shift to floating exchange rates across Southeast Asia drove up their own funding costs.

9.   Hong Kong banks stand to gain as lower rates reduce their own funding costs and spur lending.

10.   However, the unit also experienced a decrease in net interest income because of higher funding costs.