All the papers presented in the Symposium are available at http://www.kansascityfed.org/PUBLICAT/SYMPOS/2006/Sym06prg.htm  *  *  *  Let me first thank Tom Hoenig and his colleagues for inviting me again to this symposium.
It is always a treat to be here in more ways than one: to partake of the rich feast of insightful and interesting papers, illuminating commentaries and discussions, accompanied by the warm hospitality of the Kansas City Fed in this incomparable setting in the shadow of the majestic Tetons.