The prime minister believes that a Tobin-style insurance levy for banks is gaining international support. According to the Independent, after talks with officials from G7 finance ministries at Number 10 yesterday, Gordon Brown said: 'As a result of the advancement by US president Obama and the financial secretary Tim Geithner about their levy on wholesale lending, I think the proposals that I made at St Andrews for an international levy ... are now gaining currency around the world. I think you will probably see further moves to get an international agreement about some international levy to deal with the responsibility that banks owe to society.' The meeting, hosted by City minister Lord Myners, discussed the global transaction tax and improving capital requirements. But it was also an opportunity to get more detail - from US officials present at the meeting - about Barack Obama's proposals to split investment and retail banking. The Treasury has thus far indicated no support for breaking up large banks.