Spain to Formally Request Aid

Spain is set to formally request a bailout for its banks by Monday, Finance Minister Luis de Guindos said. The country needs tens of billions of euros to bolster its beleaguered banks, but Spain has been slow to make a formal request for the funds. Guindos told finance ministers in the 17-member euro zone that they can expect to have his country’s formal request by Monday, calling the process “a mere formality.” Euro-group president Jean-Claude Juncker said Spain needs to “pursue [a] clear and ambitious strategy, which needs to be implemented swiftly and communicated early.” It is not yet known whether Spain’s proposal will include an estimated total of funds needed to salvage its economy.