Eastern Europe banks get bail-out

Central and Eastern Europe banks are to get a 24.5bn euro rescue package to support them in the economic crisis.

UBS appoints new chief executive

Swiss banking giant UBS appoints the former head of Credit Suisse, Oswald Gruebel, as its new chief executive.

Japan exports drop 46% in January

Japan's trade deficit hits a record as exports fall 45.7% in January compared with a year ago to hit a 10-year low.

Asian stocks rattled by US falls

Asian stocks slide amid renewed fears over the global financial sector and after US stocks hit a near 12-year low.

EU heads back financial clampdown

Leaders of Europe's biggest economies agree on the need to regulate all financial markets, including hedge funds.

Saab requests creditor protection

The board of the Swedish carmaker Saab files for reorganisation, seeking protection from its creditors.

IMF expects more requests for aid

The head of the International Monetary Fund tells the BBC it expects more countries to request aid as the crisis deepens.

US car giants seek $21bn funding

Troubled US carmaking giants Chrysler and GM seek a further $21.6bn in government aid and unveil plans to cut 50,000 jobs.

Japan finance minister steps down

Japan's finance minister resigns amid claims he was drunk at a G7 meeting - a further blow to Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Japan's economy in quarterly dive

Japan's economy contracted by 3.3% in the final quarter of 2008 - its worst showing since the oil crisis of the 1970s, figures show.

Europe hit by economic slowdown

European economies contracted in the fourth quarter of 2008, with some countries registering the worst figures in decades.

Chinese investment in Rio Tinto

Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto says China's state-owned Chinalco is to invest a further $19.5bn in the business.

Shares fall after US banking plan

Global markets give the $1.5 trillion US bank bail-out plan a muted response, following sharp falls overnight on Wall Street.

US to unveil huge new bank bail-out

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is due to announce how he intends to spend the remaining $350bn of the bail-out fund.

Nissan to cut 20,000 global jobs

Nissan is to cut 20,000 jobs worldwide as the Japanese carmaker says the global auto industry is in "turmoil".

US watchdog attacks bail-out plan

The US treasury paid $78bn too much during its rescue of financial institutions last year, says a Congressional watchdog.

UK reduces interest rates to 1%

The Bank of England has reduced interest rates to 1% from 1.5% in an attempt to boost the slowing economy.

Obama wants to avoid 'trade war'

US President Barack Obama says he wants to avoid measures which would signal protectionism or spark a trade war.

EU attacks 'Buy American' clause

The EU puts more pressure on the US to withdraw the "Buy American" clause in its recovery plan over fears of protectionism.

Corporate gloom hits Tokyo shares

Japan's top share index falls 1.5% in Monday trading, after Hitachi and other leading companies warn of steep losses