Topic: Basel

Cities are banking on the arts

Once the first thing to be cut in a time of recession, the arts are proving their worth.

How regulators caused the bank meltdown

Conventional wisdom says that the economic meltdown happened because of lax regulations on the nation's largest banks. It may be just the opposite.

For US and global economies, debt is a four-letter word

It's hard to conclude anything else: Debt – owed by households, governments, and banks – lies at the heart of the economy's troubles. Even after two years of recovery, debt remains a big drag.

Brazil’s lessons for indebted Europe

Some European nations' debt will have to be forgiven to resume growth. Those responsible for the financial turmoil must pay, rather than the poor. And Europe must unify its fiscal policy.

Former UBS banker charged with helping clients dodge US taxes

A Swiss asset manager and former UBS banker who allegedly helped move his clients' secret bank accounts is indicted for allegedly conspiring to defraud the US government.

Curtain closes on G20 summit. What was achieved – and what wasn't.

The G20 summit in Seoul failed to deliver any agreement on cutting global 'currency imbalances' but hands more economic influence to emerging-market countries.

Britain's government-owned banks: Sell, but not too fast

The British government should wait on Santander bank's public offering, then sell Lloyds. RBS is more problematic.

Senate passes financial reform. Will it help the economy?

President Obama is set to sign the financial reform bill into law soon, but critics worry it will stifle the flow of credit that is key to economic recovery.

US economy in a self-made vise

The US made the vise that's squeezing its economy.

Free cookies at facebook.com/ nabiscocookies: New tack for Nabisco?

Nabisco's free cookie offer, available only on facebook.com/nabiscocookies, may represent new ways of linking coupons with social media.

Misguided regulations caused the financial mess

Did regulations intended to improve the operations of banks unintentionally cause the financial crisis?

Four charged in incident at Mary Landrieu’s office. Watergate 2?

James O’Keefe and three others are accused of attempted phone tampering in an office for Sen. Mary Landrieu. Liberals are likening the incident to the Watergate break-in.

E-waste recycling – are solutions near?

Electronic waste is the fastest-growing part of the municipal waste stream, but e-waste recycling lags. Various solutions have been proposed.

Are aging ships still a toxic export?

Environmental groups worry that the practice of reflagging US commercial ships that may have PCBs so they can be scrapped abroad is beginning again.

Libya: Ruination of the ruins

Swiss architect wins prized Pritzker award

Peter Zumthor's designs for an art museum emerging from a bombed-out church and thermal baths both caught the jury's eye.

A biblical lesson for today's bankers

Just as Joseph stored food ahead of a drought, banks should build capital for lean times.

More Mail Bag matches

Readers write about the pen pals they found through the Monitor's old Mail Bag column.

Garden siteseeing in Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany

Four interesting garden blogs in Europe.