Based on volumes of activity and current cost structures of many banks, operating costs may need to fall by 20%-45% and the balance sheet by 50%-75%, through closing or selling branches, products, business lines, and even entire regions.

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Boeing claims the 7E7 would cut fuel burn by 20 percent over current aircraft and save airlines 10 percent on overall operating costs, citing new, fuel-sipping engines and lightweight materials that will also cut maintenance costs.

CNN: Airlines warming to Boeing 7E7 jet

As a result of current low natural gas prices, natural gas-fired power plant operating costs have fallen so much that they are now displacing previously lower cost coal-fired power in the dispatch order of many electricity supply regions.

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Ruiz's urgency stems from his stated goal of moving AMD's (nyse: AMD - news - people ) variable costs to 30% of operating expenses, from a current 20%.

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