Danske Bank

A plan to boost European Union powers to curb the flow of dirty money through banks faced resistance at an EU meeting from member states recently hit by major money-laundering and financial fraud scandals, three officials told Reuters.

Market psychology has changed completely with regard to Greece since the May 26 European polls and the announcement of early general elections, as investors look forward to the prospect of a faster political shift toward a more market-friendly administration.

Denmark, a Nordic kingdom not often associated with financial shenanigans, is facing a massive scandal with banking champion Danske Bank accused of helping to launder $8.3 billion through an Estonian subsidiary.

Azerbaijan's ruling elite ran a secret 2.5 billion euro ($2.9 billion) slush fund to pay off European politicians and launder money, according to an investigation by a group of European newspapers published on Sept. 5.

Turkey's lira hit new lows on April 23, hurt by political tensions and the central bank's failure to deliver more currency-supportive measures, while emerging equity markets rose for a third day.
   
Chinese bourses hit fresh 15-year highs and the MSCI emerging equities index was up 0.2 percent to within a whisker of seven-month highs reached on Friday.
   

By John Geddie & Marius Zaharia

Greek bond yields rose on Friday as investors booked profits on the rally that preceded Greece's return to debt markets, with even its sought-after new five-year bond succumbing to selling pressure.

By John Geddie $ Marius Zaharia

Greek bond yields rose on Friday as investors booked profits on the rally that preceded Greece's return to debt markets, with even its sought-after new five-year bond succumbing to selling pressure.