Boost global lending or lose face: Geithner

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner urged lawmakers on Wednesday to approve capital increases for global lending institutions and warned that failure to do so could harm US influence abroad.

"Given China's direct engagement in infrastructure development in developing countries, a reduced US presence in the MDBs (multilateral development banks) will give China a substantial advantage in promoting its own commercial and security interests across numerous regions and sectors," he said in prepared remarks for delivery to a US House of Representatives appropriations subcommittee.