The global credit crisis has reached its worst point with the Brown Government now openly contemplating nationalising Northern Rock to protect its $120 billion loan exposure and maintain confidence in the British banking system.

However, British housing prices and the pound are both in rapid decline because that’s the biggest bailout cheque ever written by a government anywhere and the Poms are already battling with 520 billion pounds in public sector debt – equivalent to about 37% of its GDP, up from 29% seven years ago.

Whilst RAMS saw the destruction of $800 million in largely Australian equity, at least there wasn’t any need for a government bailout. Besides, our Reserve Bank doesn’t have $120 billion to lend because of the reckless way the Howard Government ripped out $25 billion in dividends out over the past 11 years to boost its claimed budget surpluses.

Just like Bank of America appears committed to stepping up and buying the Countrywide loan book, Westpac was able to swoop up the key RAMS business for $140 million, whilst helping run down and refinance the loan book.

Indeed, I still think the Future Fund should be in there as was argued in this discussion on the Sky Business Channel last Saturday.