Fears grow for the future of the single currency

AS the EU is left to confront the possibility of the break-up of the single currency, Dutch bank ING recently presented a chilling account of what the fallout might be for the 16 member states who signed up for the euro, now in its 11th year.

Fears are mounting that the pressure on the currency could prove too much as the bailouts of Greece and Ireland fail to appease the markets now targeting Portugal, with Spain, France and Belgium also in their sights.

Fear is starting to stalk the holders of the currency with reports emerging of German citizens piling up their German designated euro notes, just in case.