Greek Banks Jump Most in Europe After ECB Add Bonds to QE List

Greek banks gained the most among European equities amid speculation the lenders will profit from the sale of some of the European Financial Stability Facility bonds they own.

The gains pushed the benchmark ASE Index higher for the first time this week after a European Central Bank spokesman said the EFSF bonds used to recapitalize Greek banks under the country’s bailout program are eligible for purchase under its quantitative-easing plan. Greek banks were previously prohibited from selling the EFSF notes and were required to value them at par, or 100 percent of face value.