Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena’s audacious €9bn purchase of Banca Antonveneta last November required some serious work to raise the necessary financing. Edward Russell-Walling reports on how the group’s efforts ended up breaking the Italian record for capital raised.

The current crisis is not the worst the world has ever faced as Western economies have learnt much from past mistakes.

Shareholders who oust hitherto successful CEOs for problems not of their making are being shortsighted.

Bankers need to realise that the world is transparent due to the new world of the internet. Nothing can be controlled or hidden anymore. You cannot keep anything secret. It will all get out there, some way, somehow.

Europe and the US must not be afraid to take a firm line with Russia as it returns to full strength, writes Simon Serfaty.

Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, discusses the latest financial developments in Kuwait with Stephen Timewell.

Since becoming president of the Inter-American Development Bank in October 2005, Luis Alberto Moreno has appointed new managers, updated the bank’s lending policies and restructured the institution. He talks to Jane Monahan.

Santander CEO Alfredo Sáenz tells Karina Robinson that while M&As are there for the taking, it is imperative not to act hastily in the troubled market.

Hector Sants, just about to complete his first year as chief executive of the UK’s Financial Services Authority, has proved his mettle during these times of great difficulty for regulators everywhere. Interview by Michael Imeson and Brian Caplen.

Ruthlessly slashing costs is a common response to troubled times. But it won’t guarantee survival – in fact, experience tells us it has the opposite effect. By Chris Skinner.