This allows primary bond investors to buy government bonds safe in the knowledge that a market for the bonds will continue to exist.

FORBES: ECB : We'll Do What It Takes. Kinda. Sorta. Later.

The Federal Reserve announced Sunday that it would make discount-window borrowing available to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, reminiscent of its decision in March to provide direct loans to brokerage houses that are primary Treasury bond dealers as the Bear Stearns crisis came to a head.

FORBES: Magazine Article

There are several exemptions, including primary equity and bond issues, spot foreign-exchange deals and deals involving central clearing-houses.

ECONOMIST: The European Commission gets busy