Bank regulators on Friday closed two small banks the firstU

After the markets closed, the bank took the unusual step ofreporting that it expected pretax profits for 2008 to be "wellahead" of analysts' forecasts Barclays is not due to releaseits annual results until Feb 17 Shares in top U.S banks also fell sharply this week. assets on their books, a German magazine reported,citing a government survey of 20 big lenders. ID:nLH12292 That means banks face more huge losses as they mark downthe value of U.S. assets backed by mortgages and student loans,Der Spiegel reported, according to the study prepared by theBundesbank and markets regulator BaFin.

Slower growth alreadyis casting a longer and darker shadow over economies. Bank regulators on Friday closed two small banks, the firstU.S. banks to fail in 2009 but the latest in a series thatbegan last year as a struggling economy and falling home pricestook their toll on financial institutions. ID:nSP113767 (Reporting by Tim Ahmann, Jim Wolf and Susan Heavey inWashington, Caren Bohan in Wilmington, Delaware, PeterGriffiths in London, Michael Shields in Frankfurt and ThorstenSeverin in Berlin; Writing by Herbert Lash; Editing by PeterCooney) Stocks Bonds. 1 Gators come into this game stumbling a bit after three tough games against SEC West foes, but have survived all three to remain undefeated.

Georgia had a bye week last week, but is suffering through a disappointing 4-3 campaign thus far. Back to that bye week because the team with it has won the last 13 times UGA had one before their 2007 win. Vegas has installed the Gators as a 14.5 point favorite after opening up at 16 Three Keys For A Georgia Cover 1. Establish A Running Game Even as disappointing as Florida's offense has been this season, I think Georgia's has been even more disappointing. If UGA wants to pull off the upset they have to establish the run like they did on their first drive in 2007 2. Pressure Tebow The Gators offensive line has struggled the last two weeks allowing Arkansas and Miss State to hit the former Heisman Trophy winner plenty.