Paper Tiger, you seem surprised. The financial industry is hoarding assets to the point where you could see Scrooge McDuck sitting there going "mine, all mine!"
When the Fed in the US has to make available $200 billion in guarantees and the banks STILL don't let go, this move is not surprising at all.
But that said, I agree that it is insidious, it is disingenious, and it only helps force the hands of those who are running on low margins.
B******s!
S.