ECB Said to Raise Greek Emergency Bank Aid Before Bailout

The European Central Bank eased the pressure on Greek lenders as it prepares to embark on a third tour of duty in Athens.

Officials raised the limit on Emergency Liquidity Assistance to banks by 900 million euros ($981 million) in a telephone conference on Wednesday, people familiar with the decision said. Attention now turns to a bigger task -- sending a team back to the Greek capital to monitor compliance with austerity policies that the government accepted in return for another bailout deal.