EU probes banks' metals trading
The EU anti-trust regulators have revealed they are investigating precious-metal trading, following allegations of potential anti-competitive behaviour in spot trading in an ongoing US probe.  US prosecutors are examining ten banks - Bank of Nova Scotia, Barclays, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, JP Morgan, Societe Generale, Standard Bank and UBS - over possible manipulation prices of precious metals such as gold and silver.  In May, UBS won immunity from charges relating to precious metals due to promises to cooperate with the US prosecutors.
Gold bars of one kilogram are placed on a table at a plant of gold refiner and bar manufacturer Argor-Heraeus SA in the southern Swiss town of Mendrisio, March 1, 2012. REUTERS/Pascal Lauener/Files