As more hidden debts come to light, other banks may be pushed into emergency cash calls on shareholders.

If the worst-case scenario of an emergency cash call arose, he would 'look at it on its merits', he said.

Yet it has 153 billion — 17 times that sum — in its emergency cash reserves.

Some are making emergency cash calls to their shareholders - both public and private companies.

Lenders have been kept afloat since then by emergency cash injections from the central bank.