The region's debt-ridden banks and companies face takeover by cash-rich North American and European multinationals.

CNN: CENTURY OF LIBERATION

These are provided by banks desperate to prevent debt-ridden firms from closing lest they drag the banks down too.

ECONOMIST: Too many South Koreans are reluctant to change their ways

Taxing depositors is seen by the market as a radical change from the usual practice, and doing so would give depositors in other debt-ridden countries an incentive to shift their money to banks in other countries, most likely Germany.

FORBES: Barclays Says Cyprus Bank Crisis Won't Spread To Southern Europe

Another bunch of banks merged into a new one, leaving their debt-ridden shells behind.

ECONOMIST: The great pretenders