Greek central bank asks ECB for emergency lending line

Jan 18 2015, 10:19 ET | By: Yoel Minkoff, SA News Editor 

• Greece's central bank has moved to protect its banks from any fallout from the coming general election, asking the European Central Bank to approve a stand-by domestic emergency funding line, Reuters reports.
• "We have sent a request to the ECB on ELA (emergency liquidity assistance) approval for all four major banks to have a shield for the banking system," a Bank of Greece official said.
• Greece's left-wing Syriza party, which wants to cancel austerity measures and a chunk of Greek debt, is currently leading in the polls.
• Greek banks: NBG, OTCPK:ALBKY, OTCPK:EGFEY, OTCPK:BPIRY