"Absolutely, " says Frances Fiorillo, senior vice president of people and in-flight services.

WSJ: Co-Workers Get a Chance to Change Places

"It created a lot of excitement and energy" among the airline's 450 or so flight attendants, 10% of whom applied to participate, Ms. Fiorillo says.

WSJ: Co-Workers Get a Chance to Change Places

They point to the banks' Basle ratios, which averaged around 12% last September. (For banks with overseas operations, the Basle minimum is 8%.) But beware, says Mr Fiorillo, for these are not what they seem.

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