Could the Japanese step into the breach by filling the direct-investment gap in Asia and the dollar gap for the U.S.? Well, Japan has its own economic problems.
The funded pillar could also go a long way towards filling the gap in the Russian market for long-term financing, which is necessary for infrastructure development.
It is adamant there should be no official-sector involvement, and it opposes filling a growing gap in Greek finances by making more loans from governments.
The answer has come, again, today in the form of the European Central Bank, reluctantly filling the gap between a single European currency and its very un-singular politics.
The Dubai Islamic Bank believes it is filling a gap in the market by offering women extra privacy in their financial affairs - in some cases secrecy from their husbands - and a more relaxed atmosphere in which they can discuss their needs.