The International Monetary Fund has stepped back from any assumption of sovereign debt restructuring as a precondition to emergency assistance, but still faces criticism.

A changed political mix and the growing focus on reviving the European economy could overshadow legislation carried over from the previous parliament.

New rules call for a drive for greater market diversity, but smaller agencies say regulators have not done enough.

European leveraged finance deals are adopting covenant-lite structures that are more common in the US, just as US regulators push for tighter underwriting standards.

Several initiatives by policy-makers suggest attitudes to market-based finance are changing to accommodate the G-20’s growth agenda, writes Philip Alexander.