In her Today interview, Sturgeon suggested that if Scotland were not offered a currency union, it would refuse to take on its share of the UK's debt.
Asked whether she was saying that an independent Scotland would not take on its share of the UK's liabilities unless a currency union was agreed, Sturgeon said: "No.
The IFS said the OBR's latest predictions on North Sea oil receipts suggested the gap with public spending would continue into the first year of Scottish independence in 2016 once Scotland took on its share of the UK's debts.
The nationalists say that kinks over currency and the like could be worked out amicably that it would not be in Britain's interests to antagonise its new northern neighbour, particularly since (they hint darkly) Scotland could refuse to take on its share of the national debt.
"If you follow Treasury advice and this week rule out a currency union in the event of Scottish independence, you can expect the Scottish Government to threaten not to take on its share of the United Kingdom's debt.
Bank of America was spurred to sell part of its loan portfolio after the heavy losses it suffered on its share of a $1.7 billion loan to the Sunbeam Corporation in late 2000.
The International Monetary Fund is expected to sign off on its share — roughly one third — early next month, making the loans available by the middle of December.
The irony is that the asset in question is what the company is selling, so a negative result may not have as sharp an impact on its share price as it otherwise might.
Her boss, First Minister Alex Salmond, has played hardball by suggesting that, if Scotland were shut out from the pound, it would renege on its share of the British government's debts.
Given that Britain has reaped more of those in the last decade than it strictly deserves, based on its share of global science funding, the view from abroad is that for a small island, it has a big output.
Its shares have been hammered over the past three years (down 37%), but that just means, with its $1.52 annual dividend, that it's paying 5.6% on its share price.
