Under these circumstances, major banks are gradually becoming more active in extending loans, while carefully evaluating the credit risks involved. However, credit demand for economic activities such as business fixed investment remains weak. In addition, firms continue to reduce debts as part of their balance-sheet restructuring measures.
Ric Battellino: Some comments on bank funding Remarks by Mr Ric Battellino, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, to the 22nd Australasian Finance & Banking Conference, Sydney,16 December 2009. *  *  *  I would like to thank Michael Davies, Anna Brown and Tegan Hanrick, who undertook the research for this talk.