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Germany clinches bank rescue deal Germany clinches bank rescue deal
(30 minutes later)
Germany's finance ministry has agreed a 50bn euro ($70bn; £40bn) plan to save one of the country's biggest banks.Germany's finance ministry has agreed a 50bn euro ($70bn; £40bn) plan to save one of the country's biggest banks.
The deal, reached with private banks, to save Hypo Real Estate is worth 15m euros more than the first rescue attempt, which fell apart on Saturday.The deal, reached with private banks, to save Hypo Real Estate is worth 15m euros more than the first rescue attempt, which fell apart on Saturday.
Germany earlier announced an unlimited guarantee for all private savings, in a bid to restore investors' confidence. Germany earlier announced an unlimited guarantee for all private savings, a move followed later by Denmark.
Meanwhile, French giant BNP Paribas has confirmed it has agreed to take over parts of ailing Fortis bank.Meanwhile, French giant BNP Paribas has confirmed it has agreed to take over parts of ailing Fortis bank.
The Iceland government, meanwhile, is also working overnight to try to shore up its entire banking system. The Icelandic government, meanwhile, has been working through the night to try to shore up its entire banking system.
The country's banks have now agreed measures to stabilise its financial system, where last week the currency fell by a fifth against the dollar.
We tell all savings account holders that your deposits are safe. The federal government assures it Angela MerkelWe tell all savings account holders that your deposits are safe. The federal government assures it Angela Merkel
Germany's finance ministry said that with the "mutually agreed solution" Hypo Real Estate would be stabilised, and "Germany strengthened as a place to conduct finance in difficult times".
Earlier, German Chancellor Angela Merkel moved to reassure German savers that all their deposits would be safe.Earlier, German Chancellor Angela Merkel moved to reassure German savers that all their deposits would be safe.
Similar unilateral guarantees issued by the Irish and Greek governments last week were criticised in Berlin and other European capitals.Similar unilateral guarantees issued by the Irish and Greek governments last week were criticised in Berlin and other European capitals.
"With this mutually agreed solution, [Hypo Real Estate] will be stabilised and with it, Germany strengthened as a place to conduct finance in difficult times," Germany's finance ministry said. But after an emergency meeting with the central bank earlier, Ms Merkel said: "We will not allow the distress of one financial institution to distress the entire system. For that reason, we are working hard to secure Hypo Real Estate.
After an emergency meeting with the central bank earlier, Ms Merkel said: "We will not allow the distress of one financial institution to distress the entire system. For that reason, we are working hard to secure Hypo Real Estate.
"We tell all savings account holders that your deposits are safe. The federal government assures it.""We tell all savings account holders that your deposits are safe. The federal government assures it."
But BBC business editor Robert Peston says it not completely clear if this amounts to a 100% government guarantee of all German savings deposits. BBC business editor Robert Peston said the UK Treasury was attempting to clarify the details of Germany's guarantee to savers.
He says that if it is, other EU states - including the UK - would have to follow suit. If the move does amount to a 100% government guarantee of all German savings deposits, other EU states - including the UK - would have to follow suit, says our correspondent.
The British chancellor, Alistair Darling, has said he is ready to take "pretty big steps that we wouldn't take in ordinary times" to assist the British economy.The British chancellor, Alistair Darling, has said he is ready to take "pretty big steps that we wouldn't take in ordinary times" to assist the British economy.
Banks strainedBanks strained
On Saturday, leaders of Europe's four biggest economies - Germany, France, Britain and Italy - decided against a co-ordinated US-style bank bail-out, while vowing to stabilise markets.On Saturday, leaders of Europe's four biggest economies - Germany, France, Britain and Italy - decided against a co-ordinated US-style bank bail-out, while vowing to stabilise markets.
The problems of Hypo Real Estate have put further strain on other financial institutions, which are struggling against a crisis of confidence in the global financial system.The problems of Hypo Real Estate have put further strain on other financial institutions, which are struggling against a crisis of confidence in the global financial system.
Ms Merkel said bank managers had to be held accountableMs Merkel said bank managers had to be held accountable
Late on Sunday, French bank BNP Paribas confirmed that it had agreed to buy 75% of Belgium and Luxembourg holdings of the giant Fortis financial group, creating one of Europe's biggest savings banks.Late on Sunday, French bank BNP Paribas confirmed that it had agreed to buy 75% of Belgium and Luxembourg holdings of the giant Fortis financial group, creating one of Europe's biggest savings banks.
The governments of Belgium and Luxembourg will in return take a minority stake in BNP Paribas.The governments of Belgium and Luxembourg will in return take a minority stake in BNP Paribas.
The Dutch arm of Fortis has been nationalised by the Netherlands government.The Dutch arm of Fortis has been nationalised by the Netherlands government.
Iceland's government is also reported to be considering a $14bn (£8bn) injection into the banking system, having bailed out the country's third largest bank, Glitnir, last week.Iceland's government is also reported to be considering a $14bn (£8bn) injection into the banking system, having bailed out the country's third largest bank, Glitnir, last week.
'Irresponsible''Irresponsible'
Ms Merkel said that managers at financial institutions should be held accountable for "irresponsible behaviour".Ms Merkel said that managers at financial institutions should be held accountable for "irresponsible behaviour".
Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck accused Hypo Real Estate's managers of misleading the government over the true extent of bank's troubles.Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck accused Hypo Real Estate's managers of misleading the government over the true extent of bank's troubles.
But he said Berlin would do all it could to prevent the bank's collapse, to avoid "incalculably large" damage to Germany and financial services providers in Europe. European governments are as dazed and confused by the mayhem in the global banking system as most of the rest of us Robert PestonBBC business editor class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/2008/10/german_guarantee_lost_in_trans.html">Peston's view: Lost in translation class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5449&edition=1">Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/business/7653750.stm">Iceland shores up economy But he said Berlin would do all it could to prevent the bank's collapse, to avoid "incalculably large" damage to Germany and financial services providers in Europe.
The BBC's Tristana Moore in Berlin said that the German move would be an undoubted relief for investors and sends an important message to the German public that banks will not be allowed to go under.The BBC's Tristana Moore in Berlin said that the German move would be an undoubted relief for investors and sends an important message to the German public that banks will not be allowed to go under.
Analysts say the question remains as to how the markets will react when they open on Monday morning.Analysts say the question remains as to how the markets will react when they open on Monday morning.
The initial signs were not encouraging as share-trading in Australia and New Zealand opened in decline.The initial signs were not encouraging as share-trading in Australia and New Zealand opened in decline.