The Japanese can get U.S.-style credit cards and on-line banking at Sanwa Bank.

FORBES: The sun also rises

This can be done on-line through a home-banking system.

ECONOMIST: Moving money

In the past year, America's banking regulators have issued alerts about five unchartered on-line banks (among them the Hip National Bank).

ECONOMIST: The Internet’s Most Wanted | The

The package, called Capital Requirements Directive 4 (CRD4), brings the EU into line with the so-called "Basel III" rules on banking standards, which set new capital requirements for banks.

BBC: EU tightens up bank lending rules and bonuses

When he concentrates in his book on the British banking crisis, his access to those at the top and his front-line reporting illuminate his analysis.

ECONOMIST: The financial crisis