Glass-Steagall Act
Glass-Steagall was an act in 1933 that ensured a separatino between investment banks and ordinary banking activities (commercial banks).
However during the late 80s and 90s significant relaxation of the barrier between the two occurred, and it is this relaxation that many (perhaps in hindsight) are now citing as one of the important causes of 'ordinary' banks also being dragged into the mire in the current financial crisis.
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