The banks, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley in the U.S., and Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Barclays PLC, Societe Generale and BNP Paribas in Europe, are expected to be affected by one or two ratings notches, if they are downgraded.

FORBES: Fitch Places Seven Banks On Ratings Watch

While living in London before moving to the U.S. last year, she attended charity balls and worked at Barclays Bank PLC.

WSJ: Russian Spies: Russia, America Agree to Trade Agents

The report that's lit up Wall Street is that Bank of America is looking closely at Barclays PLC, the third-largest British bank.

FORBES: Magazine Article