MAY 21, 2009 1:00am ET

Securities Downgrades Prove Painful

The last thing a community bank suffering from bad loans needs is a downgrade on its investments. But that is exactly what many banks are getting.

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Emailed

Facebook's securities filings show its Facebook Credits digital currency business is exploding. Does it pose a serious threat to banks?

Yes. Facebook Credits threatens to cut off banks from transactions and customer data.

12%

No. A system the enables users to pay for online games and page upgrades is a harmless niche.

32%

Maybe. It depends on whether Facebook makes an aggressive move into ecommerce.

56%

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