The tightly-controlled, sarcastic Bush may not be as nice as the amiable buffer of common lore, but he is a stronger leader.

ECONOMIST: George Bush

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, which includes representatives from 27 countries, now wants banks to hold 4.5% common equity against assets plus another 2.5% buffer, for a total of 7%.

FORBES: New Capital Rules Not Much of a Stretch for US Banks

The aggregate tier one common capital ratio - assets held in reserve as a buffer against financial troubles - would fall from an actual 11.1% in the third quarter of 2012 to 7.7% in the fourth quarter of 2014 in the hypothetical stress scenario.

BBC: Ally Financial sign

As part of the package of new standards, banks will be required to increase their minimum common equity requirement from 2% to 4.5%, and will additionally have to hold a capital conservation buffer of 2.5%, "to withstand future periods of stress, " the Basel Committee said in a press release.

FORBES