Trichet: I think that observers and market participants are certainly listening to what we say, on both sides of the Atlantic. Two questions: What are your expectations as regards the financial market crisis and what repercussions will it have on credit activities for businesses?
Trichet: At the moment outstanding loans to the non-financial corporate sector are growing at a rate of 15%, which is dynamic. On the one hand we see a progressive slowdown as regards loans to households and the housing sector. At the same time credit standards have tightened and we have to look at the situation very carefully.