Illustrates the importance of financial markets and institutions. Had its roots in the easy-money policies of the U.S. Subprime mortgages packaged into mortgage-backed securities. U.S. Government had to intervene to rescue institutions. In Europe the banking crisis became entwined with a sovereign debt crisis. Greece – largest sovereign default in history. U.S. Government, U.S. Federal Reserve, rating agencies, bankers promoting products all to blame.