How much did the crisis cost?

How much money did the crash cost? Today the Bank of England said that the market crisis has cost $2.8 trillion to date, leaving the world’s financial system in a situation similar to the aftermath the First World War. This is just the first half-yearly health check of the City, but the Bank of England has underlined how a new regulation is necessary. Policymakers have learned the lesson from the mistakes that have led this crisis, that doesn’t seem to be over: the report also expressed cautious optimism about the effectiveness of the recent change of trend.

Today The Guardian explains: “The £50bn pledged by the government had helped underpin the system and would provide a breathing space for UK banks so that they did not have to sell assets at cut-price values immediately. The Bank’s estimate exceeds that made by the International Monetary Fund recently. The IMF concentrated on US institutions and did not include losses from the turmoil of recent weeks. Estimated paper losses from UK banks on mortgage-backed securities and corporate bonds are currently £122.6bn, the Bank report said. Gordon Brown insisted yesterday that it was right for the government to increase borrowing in order to fund investment to help the economy through tough times. But he moved to reassure markets that he would not preside over a reckless increase in borrowing during the recession and said he would reduce it as a proportion of GDP once the economy picks up.”

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