EU, IMF resisting merger of Greek banks NBG, Eurobank: Paper

ATHENS: Greece's international lenders have asked Athens to halt the merger of National Bank with Eurobank, worried that the resulting lender would be too big for the state to deal with, daily Kathimerini reported on Saturday.

France's Hollande hits companies with 75 percent wealth tax

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande declared on Thursday that companies would have to pay a 75 percent tax on salaries over a million euros after his plan for a "super-tax" on individuals was knocked down by the constitutional court.

Euro zone corporate loan gain offers euro zone hope

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Lending to euro zone businesses rose on the month in February for the first time since July, showing patchy and fragile gains that offer a glimmer of hope for the euro zone's crisis-hit economy.

U.K. Banks Seen Avoiding Share Sales After BOE Capital Review

U.K. banks including Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc and Lloyds Banking Group Plc (LLOY) may avoid the need to sell new shares to bolster their balance sheets after the Bank of England used more lenient rules than those advocated by European regulators.

Hollande's popularity at new low as he grapples with French economy: poll

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande's popularity rating has fallen to its lowest level since he came to power, a poll found on Wednesday, a day before he is due to address the nation to ask for patience as he attempts to revive the economy.