WestLB received a last-minute lifeline Tuesday as Germany's Finance Ministry confirmed that an agreement had been reached to help the stricken lender. Lothar Mentel from Octopus Investments and CNBC's Silvia Wadhwa have analysis.

UK bank Lloyds launched the world's largest cash call Tuesday, at a 60% discount to Tuesday's closing price. CNBC's Carolina Cimenti has this report.

"Whoever wins the (UK general) election is going to have to shortly afterwards give some program for getting the public finances back into shape," Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, told CNBC Monday.