And we have urged governments in the region -- the Egyptian government, the Bahraini government, but, in general, to be responsive and to open up their societies and to get ahead of the process in order to respond to the aspirations of their people.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Elsewhere, Kraft Foods is up about 1% ahead of the open after posting a fourth-quarter adjusted profit of 57 cents per share, matching the consensus estimate.

FORBES: Greek Bailout Lifts Futures; Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Kraft in Focus

Yet if their economies keep roaring ahead, the stodgy business of lending to companies will suffer as alternative means of finance for businesses open up.

ECONOMIST: Cross your fingers