BIS, naturally, does not break out the commitment of individual banks.

FORBES: PIIGS Owe Over $2 Trillion to U.S. and European Banks

At the other are those who side with the IMF, which last week prescribed a course of fiscal retrenchment for the world, softened with a commitment by central banks to extended easy monetary policy and perhaps even more expansion of their balance-sheets.

ECONOMIST: Global monetary policy

Analysts said the bank's renewed commitment to the euro also increased the chance of further strategic buying of the European single currency by central banks.

BBC: Eurozone interest rate rise

For the Lib Dems, some kind of victory in their long running campaign to force what they would see as more responsible conduct from the banks is hugely important, in the wake of the criticism they have faced for abandoning their manifesto commitment to oppose an increase in university tuition fees.

BBC: No deal yet on bonuses or bank lending