They became inflated by too much lending, too much borrowing and risky new ways of financing sales.

VOA: special.2011.01.24

But now,interest rates for borrowing by troubled countries like Greece and Portugal have fallen sharply.

VOA: special.2010.05.14

Economists say the move is designed to help improve credit conditions by lowering the cost of borrowing.

VOA: standard.2009.03.18