HE said recent decreases in interest rates should not hurt bank earnings, "because their cost of money is lower."

As a result, long-term bank earnings are likely to rise under the new requirements.

Nonetheless, she said that even before the unusual items, the bank earnings have met expectations.

The lack of loan growth has held back bank earnings and stock prices.

"High interest rates and a flat yield curve do not cause bank earnings to weaken."

With the economy weakening and a recession more likely, analysts do not have much hope for a quick improvement in bank earnings.

But not all analysts agree that higher rates will hurt bank earnings.

The provisions for loan losses come from bank earnings.

Would the lefties like to return their benefit payments that were paid for out of bank earnings?

It will not, of course, change the reality of bank earnings.