This article first reviews methods of foreign exchange intervention and then presents evidence—focusing on survey results—on the mechanics of such intervention. Types of intervention, instruments, timing, amounts, motivation, secrecy, and perceptions of efficacy are discussed.

To those who don't know, the term "shadow banking" probably has a negative connotation. This primer draws parallels between what has been termed the shadow banking sector and the traditional banking sector—showing that they are similar in many ways.

The diagnosis on banks is comforting, despite a few weak spots here and there and an economy that's slowing down.

Over the past 40 years, there have been more than 120 banking crises around the world. Different governments have responded in different ways. The gross and net costs as a percentage of GDP range wildly, anywhere from less than 1 percent to well beyond 30 percent.

Has the competitive balance tilted away from banks and toward credit unions, given the latter’s tax exemption and more-recent ability to draw members from wider pools? Whether it has or not, both industries have seen similar trend growth over the past 15 years—and, in fact, have come to...