Originally Posted by
OneRedArmy
Care to reference this info?
Also, if I read you correctly, you're saying that two banks had loans that are secured on assets that are less than the value of the loan?
I don't know if you're being serious in your example, but given the fall in property and land valuations, that not only applies to most developers, it also applies to pretty much everyone thats bought a house in the last 3 years! So, I can guarantee EVERY bank has assets that aren't fully secured.
In financial terms, the bank estimates how much they will recover from the security (land, cash, guarantees etc.) and provide for the difference. Which hits your financial statements. Its all fairly transparent.
As John has said, the Government bailed the banks out because other banks wouldn't lend to them (Irish banks liquidity ratios weren't particularly strong, ie more loaned for every given euro deposit than competitors). The property issues will take a while to crystallise.
Also to take up your point that it would've been wholesale deposit withdraws that caused the banks to fail, it was actually other international banks failing to continue to re-finance existing funding commitments that caused the problem.
No offence, but you're way into Joe Duffy territory. If you are guessing about something, please say so.