When you keep your money in a bank, you are basically a general creditor to a business that is typically leveraged by about 10 X to 50 X, even today after the deleveraging post 2008.  Fortunately, most countries have some form of deposit insurance. Unfortunately, the guarantees are limited. In the Eurozone, which includes Cyprus

Today, equities, bonds, FX and most asset classes are driven by one thing. Central bank policy.

  When the pie shrinks, people are less likely to share. It was clear back in early 2011 that with successive rounds or quantitative easing and debt monetization rotating through the world’s central banks, that eventually a trade war would develop. With the consumer demoralized, businesses cautious and governments broke, exports would be the last

Until a week ago it was possible to buy a car in Singapore with a 10% down payment and a 10 year loan. Cars are acutely expensive a shortage of land (Singapore is a tiny island at the foot of Malaysia) has necessitated the rationing of cars through a quota system. The rationing requires car