Greece faces resistance to extra bank funds

Frankfurt

THE European Central Bank (ECB) faces resistance from Germany to allowing any extra emergency lending for Greek banks, people familiar with the matter said, increasing pressure on Athens to sign up to an extended aid-for-reform programme.

After talks between Greece and eurozone creditors broke down acrimoniously on Monday, the ECB's policymaking governing council was set to review on Wednesday how far the country may support its weak banks, which face rising deposit outflows.

While the ECB is unlikely to lower the ceiling on emergency lending assistance (ELA) by the Greek central bank, a refusal to increase it would nonetheless be bad news for Greek banks, which are close to using up the full 65 billion euros (S$101 billion) gra…