The more-favorable margin trends at community banks are probably linked to their proportionally higher funding of assets with core deposits, which are less sensitive to rising rates. Moreover, in 2000 the average rate paid on both large and small time deposits by small banks declined relative to that paid by larger banks.
Risk Assessment Finally, the third element of the Comprehensive Assessment is the supervisory risk assessment. The supervisors at competent authorities are continuously assessing risk. Indeed many of you will be aware that our supervisors regularly assess the risk profile of your banks.