The German government is desperately trying to find a way to save the country's ailing banking sector. Can a so-called "bad bank" solve the problem by taking over toxic assets? German commentators aren't convinced, but they are certain that something needs to be done.

Several government rescue packages later, the troubled German banking sector is still showing no sign of recovering from the financial crisis.

The discussion over what to do with the hundreds of billions of euros worth of toxic securities the banks still have on their balance sheets has received fresh impetus in Germany after it became clear that the Special Fund for Financial Market Stabilization -- known as Soffin after its German acronym -- is not succeeding in its intended aim of helping out troubled banks and jump-starting financial markets.

Spiegel Online