Transition Banking

This book examines the evidence that has begun to emerge (essentially starting in 1993) on the development of the financial sectors of the economies of Central Europe which are in transition to becoming market economies. Transition Banking assesses the efforts since 1989 to develop financial sectors in the economies of Central and Eastern Europe. In finance above all, the principles of central planning were radically opposed to those of capitalism, and moving from one system to the other has required entirely new institutions and skills. This financial development is crucial to growth and to full partnership with the West. The approach taken here is comprehensive, empirical, and comparative. Anderson and Kegels seek to answer a series of key questions: * Has the State retreated from controlling the allocation of savings? * Is the banking sector competitive? * Do investors direct the use of capital? * Are securities markets developing? * Is outside finance supporting economic growth? * Is the financial system stable? In explaining the logic of finance in a transition setting, Transition Banking both documents the important progress made in institution-building to date and pinpoints the areas where the region remains vulnerable.