The uptake of a low-rate loan program by the European Central Bank (ECB) managed to meet market expectations on Thursday amid calls for the central bank to do more to help kick start the region's economy. The second allotment of the targeted long-term refinancing operation (TLTRO) is expected at 10:15 a.m. London time and will be closely watched after a less-than-promising uptake at the last auction. The LTROs are cheap loans provided to euro zone banks and have been implemented by the ECB alongside the purchases of covered bonds and asset backed securities. Critics have rounded on the loan program, however. Markus ... (full story)