These costs, known as "consequential losses, " might also include overdraft charges or additional borrowing costs.

BBC: UK banks

"There is a lack of clarity on what full redress looks like, with banks determining what constitutes consequential losses and how an appeals process will work, " he said.

BBC: UK banks

Still not consequential losses in context of Google overall.

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And if those rising corporate mortality rates were real, it would also show that banks were feeling increasingly confident that they have sufficient capital to absorb the consequential losses - which would also be a very positive sign, in that banks would also have sufficient capital to extend necessary credit to viable businesses.

BBC: Is there good news in HMV's collapse?

The results also suggest that if a reduction in the value of what Greece owes were followed by Ireland and Portugal insisting that they too should be let off some of their debts, the consequential losses would be just about bearable - though there would have to be a fair amount of help for banks from eurozone, especially German, taxpayers.

BBC: Business