If liabilities were high relative to capital, it would be difficult for the firm to maintain an appropriate degree of liquidity in the face of market concerns about the materialization of risk, and the firm's ability to continue operations would come into question.
An encore of similar dramatic reduction in costs in the retail payment systems is not beyond the realm of possibility. A beginning has already been made in the area of ATM-based payments whereby no charges will be levied on customers for use of ATMs not belonging to their own bank, from April, 2009.