Book Description

The thrift crisis and recent weakness in the banking sector has intensified attention toward regulatory reform. But most proposals take as a given the traditional structure of banking, under which a bank holds illiquid loans and liquid liabilities. Structural Change in Banking explores the possibility of more fundamental changes in bank structure, which would reduce the instability that is inherent in the current structure. The major essays in this book, written by leading authors in the field, examine the historical legacy of limitations on bank branching and their consequences on bank structure and stability; how securitization affects the bank structure, risk, and liquidity; the advantages to a bank from having checking account information about its loan customers; and the potential for money market funds and finance companies to become the banks of the future. Structural Change in Banking is an essential tool for bank regulators, legislators, executives, and anyone concerned with rectifying the instability of traditional banking structure. This book not only makes a strong argument for change, it provides an intelligent analysis of alternatives through which credit can be provided.