How recent 2008-09 recession differ from most other economic recessions

    How does the most recent 2008-09 recession differ from most other economic recessions since the Great Depression? What is a bank? How does a bank differ from most other financial-service providers? Which businesses are banking’s closest and toughest competitors? What services do they offer that compete directly with banks’ services? Why are banks special? What is a financial intermediary? What are its key characteristics? Is a bank a type of financial intermediary?