Financial Markets Liberalisation and the Role of Banks

Following years of control and regulation, there has been a massive trend towards the liberalisation of financial markets. This volume provides an analysis of this process and considers likely future developments. It is divided into three parts: the first covers the behaviour of households and firms; the second includes papers on stock, bond and currency markets; and the third part analyses the behaviour and performance of financial intermediaries, particularly banks. The topics examined range from the demand for personal and corporate credit and the allocation of savers' wealth, to innovations in securities and services traded in financial markets, and their regulation. The essays represent a blend of both theoretical and empirical work, the latter focusing in particular on Europe and the recent integration of financial markets on the continent. Discussions of the essays are provided by some of the world's leading financial economists.