Ireland May Have Lent Banks Up to 51.1 Billion Euros

Ireland’s central bank may have loaned as much as 51.1 billion euros ($68.4 billion) to the country’s lenders by the end of last year as the country and its banks suffered further ratings downgrades even after an international bailout.

The central bank’s “other assets” rose from 44.7 billion euros on Nov. 26, according to figures published today on the bank’s website. The Dublin-based central bank has said that “other assets” includes “exceptional liquidity assistance lending” for Irish banks, without giving more details. This liquidity makes up the bulk of the category, according to a senior central bank official, who declined to be identified because the bank doesn’t comment on this facility.