Now that the results of the U.S. bank stress tests are finally in the books, the extent of the capital shortfalls are known and – in many cases – are actually being addressed.

Economic confidence in both the Eurozone and greater European Union (EU) hit a record low in December, adding to an already long list of challenges that face that region. And even though policymakers have an economic stimulus package in place, confusion over future fiscal policy lingers.

Will November’s emergency global financial summit result in a “new global financial order”? European leaders are pressing for a fundamental change in the US-centric monetary system. Jason Simpkins says a similar crisis meeting in 1944 gave birth to the Bretton Woods gold standard. But there are reasons to doubt such a major reform this time around.