Where has all the money gone?

I understand this financial crisis less and less as it drags on from day to day with tales of gargantuan Bank losses, and seemingly concurrent astronomical pay and pension payouts to men who are amongst the authors of this total mess.

Back in the old days ( was it only last year?) the defence of the high pay structures amongst the exalted was, "Pay peanuts and you get monkeys" So what was it they got by not paying peanuts? Criminals? Highly paid clever monkeys?

If the UK's interest rate is at its lowest since the year dot, and the cash ISA which last year paid out a 2 figure sum on my modest savings balance, now pays out the same 2 figure sum in pence not pounds, why is my CC company still saying that their interest rate is 19%?.....Answers on a postcard......!