Germany, France and Britain have shown unity in their plans to pump $1 trillion into their faltering banking systems.

The countries announced Monday that they would guarantee bank loans and recapitalize their commercial banks.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy are on the same page, which should help global markets.

By injecting more than $1 trillion into their banking systems, the leaders hope to convince investors that the banks are sound. The goal is to free up lending between banks and thus stimulate the economies.

The tradeoff is for banks to accept more oversight and control from the governments. That will mean nationalizing the institutions to some extent.

British Prime Minister Brown is the mover and shaker behind this initiative, and the United States is said to be interested in his strategy. Other European nations are adopting it, according to reports.

Germany has assembled a $681 billion package to guarantee bank loans and recapitalize banks. France's plan is to pump $500 billion into the ailing institutions. Mr. Brown wants to provide $63 billion to England's three largest banks.

"To let the chips fall where they may would be the height of irresponsibility," Mr. Brown said. "It would be a failure of leadership precisely at the moment when vigorous action is needed to protect people who need that help most."

The goal is to restore confidence in the banks and lure private investment. Immediately after the trio of leaders acted Monday, stock markets around the world rallied.

So far, so good. Acting in concord is important.