UBS gives up some names, but secret bank accounts will survive

Updated

When Swiss financial giant UBS admitted it conspired to help U.S. citizens avoid paying taxes by letting them stash their fortunes in secret bank accounts, prosecutors hailed it as a victory for the little guy. John A. DiCicco, who leads the Justice Department's tax division, described it as "one milestone in an ongoing law enforcement effort to reassure hard-working and law-abiding taxpayers who pay their fair share of taxes that those who don't will pay a heavy price."

But a closer look at the government's agreement with UBS raises questions about just how big a win the settlement is. In fact, it might make another case the government is pressing against the bank harder to win.

What do some observes say is wrong with the settlement?

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