The GOP gubernatorial contest in Nebraska is a bank-breaking affair involving well-known candidates from each major faction of government -- federal (Christensen), state (auditor John Breslow) and local (Lincoln Mayor Mike Johanns).

CNN: Republican Prospects Strong in Nebraska

Mr Fischer, once seen as a contender for the top job, championed a pro-Germany faction reluctant to see change in the traditional power structure of the bank.

ECONOMIST: Germany's biggest bank regroups to storm New York