But fear abounds that they will become the next target of self-righteous politicians, especially if they are seen to be reaping windfalls.

ECONOMIST: Fixing America's banks

Market forces would have helped the target become a self-fulfilling prophesy.

FORBES: Central Banks Are Never "Out of Ammunition"

Emissions are falling by less than a percentage point a year, and the government has admitted that it will fail to meet a self-imposed target of a 20% reduction in carbon-dioxide emissions on 1990 levels by next year, even though the recession has cut economic activity.

ECONOMIST: Lessons from Britain about how to cut carbon, and how not to