But Roski wanted more concessions than the city was willing to hand over, leading to local attempts to try to kill the development.

FORBES: City of Greed

All the same, some industry experts are sceptical that genuine private investors would be willing to put money into Alitalia and, unsurprisingly, leading European airlines have expressed their concerns to the authorities in Brussels.

ECONOMIST: State-funded parachutes for Italy's national airline

Now JPMorgan, a leading prime broker, is saying that managers are willing and able to borrow again.

ECONOMIST: Buttonwood

The hope is that more entrants will mean more competition, leading to better rates and treatment for customers who are willing to move to the best deal.

BBC: Bank accounts: OFT says significant change needed

Today some banks, especially those out in Silicon Valley, may be willing to lend against intangibles like a patent or an idea backed by a leading venture capitalist.

FORBES: Going Into Hock

And, apart from the UK - with its world-leading Climate Change Act - it is hard to find many nations willing to commit themselves to protecting the climate through to 2050 irrespective of their competitors' actions.

BBC: Climate change measures: Report praises politicians