IT IS not certain that five foreign-owned banks operating here will be given protection under the Government’s guarantee scheme.

IRISH shares plunged almost 10% yesterday resulting in yet another manic Monday for investors.

More than £93bn (€119.8bn) was wiped from the value of the UK's biggest companies today as London's FTSE 100 suffered its biggest fall since Black Monday.

Asian stock markets plunged today as government bank bailouts in the US and Europe failed to alleviate fears of a global financial crisis that would depress world economic growth.

Germany became the latest country to act over the financial meltdown, with a new rescue plan for its second biggest commercial property lender and a 100% guarantee on private bank accounts.

French banking giant BNP Paribas will take a majority 75% share of troubled bank Fortis, Belgium’s prime minister said tonight.

Belgian prime minister Yves Leterme said he aims to find a new owner for troubled bank Fortis NV to restore confidence in the company before the opening of markets on Monday.

The European Commission was still waiting today for the Government to submit for approval full details of its bank guarantee plan.

IRELAND was under increasing pressure yesterday to submit its bank guarantee plan to the European Commission for clearance amid claims that it breaches EU state aid rules.

LIKE a phoenix rising from the ashes, Brian Lenihan swooped down on the banking sector yesterday rescuing it from the brink of disaster.

FOREIGN-OWNED banks that are not protected by the two-year state guarantee were quick to reassure customers yesterday their money is safe.

Hopes that the US Government’s $700bn bank bail-out may not be dead in the water helped the London market bounce back nearly 2% today.

Some of France’s largest banks and insurers tried to reassure customers and investors today after talks on the financial crisis with President Nicolas Sarkozy.

A nervous London market was stable today as it looked to avoid a second day of carnage.

The London market avoided another bloodbath today after the FTSE 100 Index completed the first hour of trading less than 40 points lower.

THERE will be no impact in Ireland from the fall of Fortis and Hypo Real Estate, despite both banks having a significant presence here.

THE ISEQ index finished down a whopping 493.25 points at 3,291.52 as fears that the $700bn US rescue package has been so diluted as to fail to give the confidence boost it had promised last week.

A turbulent session for world markets left the FTSE 100 Index at its lowest level for more than three years tonight.

Postbank, the joint venture between An Post and financial giant Fortis, today insisted that banking services in post offices would be unaffected by a multi-million euro bailout of Fortis.

Blue-chip stocks sunk deeper into the red today as the US Government bank bail-out failed to reassure investors fearful of further woes in the European banking sector.

The FTSE 100 Index slipped below the 5000 barrier today after another gruelling session for top-flight banking shares.

Dutch-Belgian bank and insurance giant Fortis NV has been given a €11.2bn lifeline to avert insolvency as part of a wider bailout plan agreed to by Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

The George Best Belfast City Airport has been sold for nearly four times what its owners paid just five years ago, it was announced today.

Holidaymakers heading for sun abroad are facing up to a weaker pound after sterling fell on fears of a possible UK recession.

The FTSE 100 Index fell almost 3% today after investors were spooked by a sudden spike in oil prices and fears over inflation in the UK and US.

A Royal Bank of Scotland-led team today sealed victory in the battle for Dutch bank ABN Amro.

COMMENTATORS need to be careful when talking about the Irish economy, which is continuing to grow at a faster rate than most other European countries, Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin warned yesterday.

A Royal Bank of Scotland-led team today clinched victory in the six-month takeover battle for Dutch bank ABN Amro.

An Post today opened the headquarters of its new banking business, Postbank, in Dun Laoghaire with the creation of 50 jobs.

INVESTORS representing 85% of shares in ABN AMRO have accepted a €70 billion bid for the Dutch bank from a consortium led by Royal Bank of Scotland, the Financial Times has said.

The Royal Bank of Scotland-led team battling Barclays for ABN Amro is a clear favourite to land the Dutch bank, ABN’s chief executive said today.

The shockwaves resounding around world markets may have seen a host of corporate deals shelved, but the turmoil could yet be decisive in the outcome of the world’s biggest banking takeover.

Barclays’ bid for Dutch bank ABN Amro received a boost today after it was granted approval from Dutch regulators.

Royal Bank of Scotland’s plans to buy ABN Amro were boosted today when its shareholders overwhelmingly approved the £48bn (€70bn) takeover proposal.

Royal Bank of Scotland moved a step closer to clinching the takeover of Dutch bank ABN Amro today after bidding partner Fortis won vital shareholder approval for the deal.

The long-running takeover battle for ABN Amro reached a critical stage today as Barclays formally launched its takeover offer and shareholders at one of its rival bidders prepared for a key vote.

Royal Bank of Scotland said today it was in good shape after half-year profits hit £5bn (€7.4bn) and it eased worries about recent market turbulence.

DUTCH bank ABN AMRO is leaning towards dropping its support for Barclays’ €69 billion takeover offer, Dutch daily Het Financieele Dagblad reported on Saturday.

A Royal Bank of Scotland-led team today put further pressure on rival ABN Amro suitor Barclays, as the consortium tabled a formal £48.2bn (€47.7bn) offer for the Dutch Bank.

A Royal Bank of Scotland-led team today put further pressure on rival ABN Amro suitor Barclays, as the consortium tabled a formal £48.2 billion offer for the Dutch Bank.

Royal Bank of Scotland turned up the heat on rival Barclays after today sweetening the terms of its £48.2 bn (€71bn) offer for Dutch bank ABN Amro.

Royal Bank of Scotland today unveiled the terms of a revised £48bn (€70.9bn) offer for Dutch bank ABN Amro.

A Royal Bank of Scotland-led team today said it would press on with a new offer for ABN Amro despite a court ruling allowing the Dutch bank to sell its US banking operation, LaSalle.

The contest for ABN Amro will take a new twist on Friday when a vital court ruling is delivered on the sale of the Dutch bank’s US business LaSalle, it was announced today.