Some leading business executives and bankers even warned that investment would drop and unemployment would grow.

Many bankers and industry experts have been warning in recent months that the sloppy lending practices of the past are coming back faster than expected.

So far this morning, the picture is a little calmer - but politicians, analysts and bankers are all warning that time is running out for Europe.

Misrepresenting the use of the property could result in a recall, warn bankers, although they concede that this rarely happens.

But bankers here warn of potential problems, too.

The economy is still limping and bankers warn that they are not willing to lower their credit standards to increase their loans.

Official foreign currency reserves slumped to less than $300 million this year, the lowest figure in Europe, including Albania, the banker warned.

But bankers warn it is not a cure-all.

When she became Swiss attorney general in 1994, bankers warned that the unswerving prosecutor was hurting the nation's business.

The banker expresses his doubts about the soundness of her plan and warns her, but she insists.