Starting with the October 12, and then the November 9 and December 7 loan tenders, the European Central Bank will make U.S. dollars available for three-month loans.

The Bank of England, the Bank of Japan and the Swiss National Bank made similar announcements.  This is being done in coordination with the U.S. Federal Reserve (the privately run central bank for the United States).

The European banks will trade their money (Euros, Pounds, Yen and Swiss Francs) for U.S. dollars, for a fixed exchange rate.  This is an attempt to prevent money markets in Europe and Japan from locking up.