The world has come a long way since the lurid headlines of 2008 warning that support for the banking sector would cost governments around the world trillions of dollars. While dangers still persist, money is steadily starting to return to government coffers. Writer Geraldine Lambe, Research Geraldine Lambe and Guillaume Hingel

Controversy still surrounds the decision of the International Monetary Fund to bail out Greece at a rate of 3200% in excess of its quota. Writer Jane Monahan

Italy exemplifies everything that is wrong with Europe - poor government finances, stultifying bureaucracy and rising labour costs. Can it sort itself out? Silvia Pavoni, an Italian national who lives in the UK, takes a long, hard look.

The International Monetary Fund is moving away from its traditional role as 'lender of last resort' and is equipping itself with enough firepower to stave off future financial disasters. Writer Jane Monahan

The Dodd-Frank bill's failure to deal with the key problems that triggered the economic crisis is a missed opportunity.

Having emerged from the economic crisis in rude health, China's financial institutions are facing their biggest challenge yet as a rapidly changing banking landscape demands new technology solutions. Writer John Beck

Nigeria's banking sector is undergoing a series of changes aimed at overcoming the mistakes of the past. Writer Daniel Maalo

Persistent violence in the south of Kyrgyzstan, combined with the interim government's fears about capital flight, are placing heavy pressure on the country's banking sector. Writer Philip Alexander

The Bank of Israel's authority to regulate the country's banking sector is something that other supervisors can only dream of, and the benefits of it holding such power were seen during the credit crisis. Writer Philip Alexander