Italian banks and financial intermediaries are subject to extensive regulation which has evolved throughout the country's history. There has also been much change to the country's financial regulation in recent years in response to the globalization of markets and intermediaries. The Italian administrative and regulatory system is often perceived as a major obstacle to economic productivity, and some causes of this ineffectiveness are deeply rooted and date back to the Italian unification and juridical culture. This book provides an overview of the Italian regulation of banking and financial activities, and tracks the evolution of its 'economic Constitution' and market trends. It explores a range of topics within Italian regulation, including the regulation of banking activities, investment services and collective portfolio management. It examines in detail the relationship between intermediaries and customers, public offerings of financial instruments and products, public takeover bids, listed companies, insurance and reinsurance business. Among other current topics the authors discuss the link between investor protection and confidence in the financial markets; and assess the financial markets as a source of financing for companies.

In today's increasingly global and integrated financial climate, there is an amplified need for cooperation between regulators and supervisors across the globe in order to promote economic growth and maintain competitive markets. However, idiosyncrasies remain within local markets, and for those wishing to participate within them, it is necessary to understand the distinctive qualities of each. This book explores the intermediaries of the Italian financial system. It examines the banks, investment services, electronic payment institutions, insurance companies and credit rating agencies functioning in the country, to explore how Italian regulation functions within the context of a wider harmonizing trend. The authors present a study on the current control models of the Italian markets in the wake of changes induced by the privatization of public banks, the increased size and complexity of the intermediaries, the increased level of competition, and the internationalization of the financial innovation. They explain how the country's financial markets are controlled by a combination of bodies, including the State, the authorities and the market participants themselves.

Within an environment made difficult by the continuing economic crisis, the Italian model for crisis management and resolution has helped to avoid many difficulties faced by intermediaries across the globe. However, the Italian model for crisis management will be forced to adapt to the new EU Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive, which introduces a unified regime for such events in all EU countries. This book explores the various methods for crisis management employed in Italian finance. The authors discuss procedures used in the banking and insurance sectors, such as deposit guarantee schemes and alternative dispute resolution systems. They also explore the evolution of the administrative sanctioning systems, and the roles of tax rules and credit rating agencies in Italian finance. This book analyses the evolution of the various crisis management processes, and discusses potential goals and improvements within the context of recent measures suggested by the European Commission.

Italian Banking and Financial Law provides a thorough overview of the banking sector in Italy, offering historical perspectives, insight into current developments and suggestions for future evolution.

Responding to growing interest in new regulations adopted by the EU, US, and UK authorities, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the legal and economic aspects of FinTech and the current regulation surrounding it. In particular, the book observes the technological evolution of finance and the ‘economic space’ that lies between the regulated market and the illegal circulation of capital. Analysing laws that influence the application of technology to the banking and finance sector, the author considers market infrastructure and illustrates how firms execute their activities on a global scale, away from the scope of public supervision and monetary backstops. With globalisation and digitalisation boosting efficiency, the economical relevance of technology is becoming ever more important and therefore this book provides a much-needed examination of the current trends in FinTech regulation, making it an essential read for those researching financial markets, and professionals within the industry.

Banking market integration in the Asia Pacific has greatly accelerated in recent years, in an environment of many other rapid advances in banking and finance. This has increased competition between domestic and foreign banks, and made the measurement of bank efficiency, competition, and liquidity creation a critical issue for both policy makers and bank managers. This book investigates important policy-related issues in Asia Pacific banking. It analyses the link between competition and stability, examining the cases of fourteen Asia Pacific countries between 2003 and 2010, and goes on to discuss whether bank shareholder value is influenced by cost and profit efficiency changes over time. The authors explore the different ways in which banks in Asia-Pacific create liquidity, and whether this is linked to capital generation. This book provides valuable insight for researchers, policy makers and bank managers with an interest in financial rationalization, restructuring and consolidation.

The world of retail banking is changing. While previously a purely money-making entity, the industry has brought social responsibility onto its agenda, and the ground rules for success have altered. Traditional convictions, rules and values that have influenced all banking business in the past are brought into question by this shift, and banks are adopting bold strategies in order to win out over competitors. Taking both multidisciplinary and holistic approaches, Retail Banking is a comprehensive analysis of how traditional retail banks can meet the challenges of the emerging competitive landscape. It outlines the importance of considering the traditional fundamentals of banking and fitting them into the modern times, where technology is pervasive and developments in the macro and micro scenarios have changed the landscape of the industry. It highlights that modern retail banking is a conscious step away from the past, and suggests that for banks to succeed in this field, they must step away from ad-hoc initiatives and instead encourage loyalty and a life-long confidence in each of their customers. This book will be of interest to those with in interest in retail banking, bank management, business models and strategies and financial services.

Ever since the 2007–8 global financial crisis and its aftermath, Hyman Minsky’s theory has never been more relevant. Throughout his career, Jan Kregel has called attention to Minsky’s contributions to understanding the evolution of financial systems, the development of financial fragility and instability, and designing the financial structure necessary to support the capital development of the economy. Building on Minsky, Kregel developed a framework to analyze how different financial structures develop financial fragility over time. Rather than characterizing financial systems as market-based or bank-based, Kregel argued that it is necessary to distinguish between the risks that are carried on the balance sheets of banks and other financial institutions. This volume, brought together by Felipe C. Rezende, highlights these major contributions from Kregel through a collection of his influential papers from various journals and conferences. Kregel’s approach provides a strong theoretical background to understand the making and unfolding of the crisis and helps us to draw policy implications to improve financial stability, and suggest an alternative financial structure for a market economy. In this book, his knowledge is consolidated and the ideas he puts forward offer a path for future developments in economics which will be of great interest to those studying and researching in the fields of economics and finance.

This book analyses elements of international finance, comparing the regulation of hedge funds in United States, Europe, the UK, and off-shore jurisdictions in the aftermath of the financial crisis. It critically compares the Dodd- Frank Act in US with the Alternative Investment Funds Managers Directive in Europe. Moreover, it goes further by analyzing the implementation of the AIFM Directive in seven jurisdictions in Europe famous for the incorporation of hedge funds: the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Ireland, Malta, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. The book also analyses the effect of Brexit on the legislation in the UK regarding the application of the directive and the distribution of financial products in Continental Europe, and will be of particular interest to researchers, academics, and students of international finance and financial regulation.