In 2008 the Swiss Central Bank had to inject funds into UBS to rescue it from insolvency.

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Euro-area leaders agreed that the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), their new permanent rescue fund, would be able to inject funds directly into banks rather than via loans to the government.

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Other reports have suggested DaimlerChrysler may be approached to inject more funds in exchange for the shares.

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It would oblige taxpayers to inject more funds into Lloyds and RBS, and that is the very last thing (literally) that the Chancellor wishes to do, and could be career-terminating for him.

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Earlier this month, Paulson announced that the funds would be used to inject capital into financial institutions.

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"Whilst I appreciate that the consortium mentioned in the media today does have access to funds, at no time did we receive a written commitment, proposal or offer to inject an amount of money into this club, " Trembling said.

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