In part, the bank's goal is to develop relationships with high-net-worth clients, says Stuart Bernstein, national production manager of residential lending at Union Bank.

WSJ: Refinancing Deals Get Sweeter

No risk manager can be really useful without being able to analyse whether the multiple sales and lending activities of his institution will fall victim to those who understand how best to steal.

ECONOMIST: Letters

New manager Jose Mourinho is also believed to be keen on Marseille's Didier Drogba, lending further weight to the view that Crespo's Chelsea days are numbered.

BBC: SPORT | Football | My Club | Chelsea | Crespo makes Chelsea pledge