Financial Transparency Coalition

Liechtenstein, once one of the world's most secretive tax havens, is going further than almost any other centre in cleaning up its act. The deal is a dramatic example of a jurisdiction giving up banking secrecy in return for recognition as a legitimate financial centre. It is helping flush out tax evaders by making its banks close non- compliant accounts by 2015.

Federal prosecutors are building criminal cases against 150 wealthy American clients of the Swiss banking giant UBS as part of a continuing investigation into tax evasion, a person briefed on the matter said Thursday.

Details of a historic settlement between the U.S. and Swiss governments over secret accounts at UBS remain, well, secret. But the case marks the biggest assault yet against Swiss banking.

LONDON (Reuters) - More than 300 banks will be forced to give British tax authorities details about customers holding offshore bank accounts following a ruling Wednesday.