With the growth in financial activity in and between the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China or Taiwan and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, an understanding of the development and status of financial law and regulation in the Chinese Economic Circle is increasingly important. This book provides an overview of the most significant areas of financial regulation in the Greater China Area, bringing together expert essays on banking, insurance, securities and general financial law in the PRC, banking and insurance in Taiwan, and financial law in Hong Kong. This work collects in a single volume, the significant history and development of financial law within the Greater China Area, providing an insight into the development and relationship of these three diverse but inter-related financial systems.

Bank failures, crises, global banking, megamergers, changes in technology--the effect of these world events is to weaken existing methods of regulating bank safety and soundness, and even to make some methods ineffective. Federal regulators are evaluating new ways to solve them. Dr. Gup and his panel of academics and regulatory professionals explore these problems and the difficulties in implementing solutions. They point out that global banking, megamergers, and changes in technology are drastically altering the way financial services are delivered. They also argue that existing methods of bank regulation, formulated in the United States and elsewhere as early as the 19th century, are not able to cope with these changes. The search now underway for new methods that are global in scope. Inevitably, they will involve cross-border supervision and international cooperation.

Covering a wide range of topics, from the rationale of banking regulation to optimal banking regulation in the new world environments, this book examines the innovative tools needed to cope with these problems. Greater reliance on market discipline; the use of internal controls based on statistical models, such as Value-at-Risk; and subordinated debt are discussed. This timely, probing analysis of one of the hottest topics in bank regulation today, is an important resource for professionals and their academic colleagues in the fields of banking, finance, investment, and world trade.

The close of the 20th century saw a remarkably high incidence of bank distress and insolvency. This book seeks to identify the causes of this ongoing financial crisis and to draw lessons for the future, with the aim of assisting developed, transition and emerging economies alike to better cope with future crises. "Banks in Distress" takes as its focus the major financial system crisis experienced by the US in the 1980s, reviewing the evolution of the US banking system and the legislative, regulatory, and monetary policies of the 1980s which set the stage for the crises that followed. The author argues that the financial difficulties in the US, and to some extent the rest of the world, were largely precipitated and exacerbated by government intervention into the American domestic economy through uncoordinated monetary and fiscal policy, as well as the uncoordinated enactment of regulatory, supervisory and enforcement legislation and policy. The book in particular examines the importance of asset valuation, asset value inflation and deflation, and capital adequacy for banking and financial services organizations, an understanding of which is crucial to the development of a coherent regulatory framework. The author considers what can be learned from the US experience and suggests the need for significant changes in the banking law and policy of most developed and emerging economies, arguing that a stable and workable financial system requires transparent, co-ordinated and proactive governmental policies in the banking, fiscal, monetary and national economic areas.

This work presents a critical analysis and evaluation of the Korean banking regulatory and supervisory system. It identifies the continuing structural weaknesses of the system, which were thrown into sharp relief by the 1997 financial crisis, and focuses on the need for reform in order to achieve financial stability. The study centres around three central questions: who should be the regulator; what substantive standards of supervision should be applied; and administratively, in what manner should these standards be applied? The author argues that the Korean banking system, characterized as a "governmental control system" for credit allocation, should be released from undue governmental and political interference, thus allowing the involvement of banks in commercially oriented practices without exposure to the significant risks incurred by governmental policy directed lending. The author calls for a high degree of transparency and accountability, for a clear, realistic timetable for restructuring, and for an effective exit policy for troubled commercial banks. This text should be of value to practitioners, researchers and academics working in the field of banking law, particularly those with a special interest in the Asia-Pacific region.

This work comprises discussions of issues impacting on the development of banking activities in the Latin American region, together with various perspectives on possible reform. It presents a comparative study of several Latin American banking systems and their supervisory bodies, and examines the institutional structures put in place following the reforms of the last decade. There is further discussion about the relationship that should exist between regulations and discretionary power when banks face difficulties. These various subjects are explored through national case studies including Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, Guatemala, Argentina, Costa Rica and by way of comparison, the United States and Canada. In addition, the text covers a general discussion of the wider international context. There is comparative study of the structure of supervisory bodies in developed countries and the implications for developing countries, and of how recent international trends in banking supervision have been reflected in the experiences of Latin American countries. The crises experienced by South East Asian financial systems are examined and the ways in which they could impact on Latin America. The book also investigates the integration of banking markets at an international level and the harmonization of different regulatory frameworks. A study of the European Union experience provides a background for the discussion of harmonization in the Mercosur countries. This book arose out of the Second High Level meeting on the reform of the financial systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Venezuela in October 1997 under the auspices of the Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American Economic System (SELA). In bringing together the various viewpoints presented at this meeting, the book aims to initiate serious reflection on the reform of Latin American banking systems, and in doing so, to contribute to the achievement of safe and efficient banking markets in the region.

In a time of global banking and financial services, globalized money and capital markets, this is a study of German banking law and practice. The articles are designed to cover the subject and take a systematic approach. They are written by experts from authorities, banks and universities. The idea for the book was born in a conference on German and Chinese banking law, held in Beijing/China on October 6th-8th, 1997, and co-sponsored by the Law Centre for European and International Cooperation, Cologne, and the China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing. Inspired by this conference, the authors wrote their contributions in 1998 with due regard to the comparative and international legal perspective of the subject.

Law relating to trade in financial services is examined here, with a particular focus on the rules contained in Chapter 14 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). After a detailed analysis of the relevant provisions and their effect on financial institutions in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the author examines the impact of the NAFTA rules on the legal position of banks operating in countries outside NAFTA, particularly in the context of the WTO financial services provisions. The book concludes with a chapter on the effects of a potential NAFTA expansion. The book aims to contribute to the development of a new legal and regulatory framework distinct from those of trade and financial services law, and offers an insight into how trade in financial services within a regional trade agreement develops its own legal dynamic.

This volume covers the development of bank supervisory standards for an emerging Chinese Economic Circle (CEC) in which the People's Republic of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong form an informal interdependent relationship through their significant and increasing inter-investment and inter-trade activities. The PRC, Taiwan and Hong Kong have all embarked on definitive plans to liberalize the regulation of their respective banking industries and to develop Shanghai, Taipei and Hong Kong into major regional financial centres. The author suggests that in order to do this successfully, it is necessary that the "core value" of prudential supervision, which is based on banking standards from the UK, USA, EU and the Basle Committee, is fully integrated into Chinese banking law and practice. The author concludes that banking supervision in the CEC should be conferred with a wide degree of discretionary power to take the necessary measures to preserve this "core value" of prudential supervision. The book should be of prime interest to academics and practitioners in the field of banking law, particularly those with a special interest in the Asia-Pacific region.

In a world of fading borders, the Internet has become a regular method of buying and selling. However, technological and legal means of guaranteeing secure electronic transactions lag behind the increasing flexibility required by a flourishing "virtual" economy. Furthermore, as virtual money circulates it is susceptible to interception, processing and channeling by any number of corporate interests and public authorities. The questions arise: who is going to control what and why? There are, as yet, no firm answers. This book sets the stage and takes the necessary first steps towards developing a reliable legal regime for virtual money. Its purpose is: to analyze the legal issues raised by internet payment systems, and to explain clearly the solutions already adopted; and to discuss policy issues, with available hypotheses, raised by the convergence of financial services and information technology, and by the advent of virtual money. The authors provide a rigorous assessment of the appropriateness of the relevant existing legal instruments that regulate Internet payment systems, and focus in particular upon the rapidly increasing use of "electronic cash" - on smart cards or in the form of dematerialized electronic tokens - which behaves like cash, in that it can circulate between parties without the intermediation of a financial institution. The text aims to help lawyers, policymakers and business people successfully negotiate the radical transformation under way in all sectors of business and industry.

The globalization of the world economy poses significant challenges for policy makers, regulators and legal professionals. The Asian and Brazilian financial crises have shown that difficulties in the banking sectors of some economies can have serious repercussions across world financial markets. It is clear that a sound legal infrastructure is crucial to promote financial stability in this global market. Particularly in the case of international bank failures, the need for harmonized and effective international insolvency procedures is becoming increasingly apparent. It is against this background that the Bank for International Settlements organised a workshop on International Bank Insolvencies in the summer of 1998. This work presents the edited workshop papers by expert lawyers from over 20 national central banks, the European Central Bank, the Basle Committee on Banking Supervision and the UN Commission on International Trade Law. Nineteen country reports provide a comprehensive overview of central banks and other institutions responsible for banking supervision and the co-ordination between authorities involved in insolvency procedures. The authors further discuss the instruments employed for crisis prevention and resolution and issues arising in the aftermath of a bank failure in the respective jurisdictions. In addition, twelve expert papers discuss issues ranging from specific national experiences to attempts at co-operation and harmonisation at regional and international level. The book further includes in annex the text of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency and the EC Finality Directive.

The globalization of the securities markets, rapid technological advancement, the perpetration of widespread cross-border fraud and the proliferation of emerging capital markets have made international financial law an increasingly important area of regulation, practice and research. Its significance will continue to grow in the 21st century, making the advent of a book focusing on developments in international securities law extremely timely. Key topics covered in this book include disclosure requirements, insider trading regulation, global offerings, transnational regulatory co-operation, the role of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), memoranda of understanding and emerging capital markets. Discussion of these issues is supported by examination of the law and policy in numerous countries, including developed and emerging capital markets. The author makes detailed analysis of applicable legal principles with regard to a wide range of topics, discusses proposed standards for law reform and makes recommendations to enhance international cooperation.

With the collapse of Barings, the expulsion of Dalwa Bank from the US, and the bankruptcy of Orange County California, derivatives are increasingly intruding into the public consciousness. Key issues are whether derivatives are sufficiently understood and how they can be effectively regulated. These are increasingly acute because, as recent statistics show, derivatives, with a turnover of more than $2 trillion a day, constitute the world's biggest business activity. For lawyers, regulators and compliance officers operating in the international market, it is increasingly important to have a firm grasp of where derivatives fit in the financial services spectrum and how they are regulated in major market centres. This book provides critical information on these issues. It draws on a broad spectrum of legal regulatory, tax, and clearing and exchange trading expertise from both sides of the Atlantic. Consequently, it provides a resource for the views of leading experts from a variety of disciplines. It includes chapters by the market counsel of one of the world's leading exchanges, a managing director of one of the world's most important clearing houses, and the former chief derivatives regulator of the US, in addition to legal analysis and explication of a number of important derivatives issues by UK and US legal experts. Along with Swan's previous volume, "Derivative Instruments", it should help newcomers learn about derivative instruments and help experienced practitioners expand their understanding of the key issues involved.

The emerging markets have attained prominence of late as the recent troubles in the principal emerging markets in Asia, Russia and Latin America have threatened global stability. This book is the first detailed study of emerging markets debt and offers a unique insight into one of the world's more significant, and less understood, financial markets. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of the market in emerging markets debt from 1983 to date. In the aftermath of the debt crisis of the 1980s the banking community discovered the first disposal technique for the sovereign debt of less developed countries -- a secondary market in that debt. This market played a major role in the history and amelioration of the debt crisis, the Mexican problems in the mid-1990s, and the recent Asian economic crisis. The market focus of this study is on the indebtedness of Latin American nations, which has fanned the backbone of secondary market activity, and the recent developments in Asia. The regulatory focus is on U.S. banks and banking regulation. This book is essential reading for anyone involved with emerging markets debt: bankers, traders, investors, corporate and sovereign issuers, finance lawyers and banking regulators.

This text examines the role of the law in the protection of the consumer, in particular the ways in which the law is, and could be, used to protect consumers when purchasing financial services. A prominent panel of contributors first examines the role of the European Union and the ombudsmen schemes operating in the United Kingdom in improving consumer protection. Eight expert papers present a detailed analysis of aspects of the various legal mechanisms protecting consumers in the banking, financial services, investments and insurance industries. The final part of the book is concerned with the important and controversial area of consumer credit. Thi text should be of interest to those at the cutting edge of banking, financial services and consumer law, whether practicing lawyers or in-house counsel, and all those involved in advising consumers.

This text provides a comprehensive survey of the law and practice of securitization in the major jurisdictions in which securitizations have been carried out. It reviews the principal assets commonly securitized and the development of the market in each country. Legal aspects of the most important structures are analyzed in detail, involving therefore the establishment of special purpose vehicles, credit enhancement techniques and security issues. The book is also a commentary on specialized issues such as public offerings of asset-backed securities and cross-border considerations. In summary, securitization can be defined broadly as the process of financing assets through the issuance of securities which are "backed" (i.e. secured) by the cash payment streams generated by the assets securitized and by the assets themselves. There are 16 national reports. The book forms a discussion of both market and legal issues. It also allows a quick comparison of different jurisdictions.

Written by a leading figure in the field, this third edition of the Principles of Banking Law provides an authoritative account of the subject, incorporating all significant changes in banking law, regulation and practice that have occurred since the publication of the second edition in 2002. The book looks at international banking and financial services law, with in-depth expert coverage of global bank regulation, global payment systems, international bond instuments, and foreign exchange systems.

Capital-intensive projects throughout the world - including large-scale energy, infrastructure, toll road, solid waste, and recycling projects - rely on project finance as the most important financing technique available. But the complexity of project finance requires that the practitioner predict and resolve a number of potential risks involving bankruptcy, currency, and political issues, among others, and often in emerging economies. Drawing on the author's 15-plus years of experience in all types of project finance, this text is a comprehensive, multidiscipline book addressing these risks and their resolution and detailing each of the elements necessary for a successful project financing. Mirroring the structure of an actual project finance deal, this all-in-one handbook examines each step of the process, from the rationale for the project finance, through risk allocation and mitigation, to dispute resolution. Topics discussed include: financing sources; environmental issues; bilateral and multilateral support; contract aspects and typical contract terms; project contracts as credit support; project finance loan documents; collateral documents; and permits. All participants in project financing - including lenders, developers, investors, host governments, governmental agencies, multilateral and bilateral agencies, off-take purchasers, input suppliers, contractors, and operators - should find this text an accessible tool and a research database. Its combination of practical features includes: a checklist of key considerations to assist the practitioner in structuring, negotiating a reviewing a project finance transaction; a detailed glossary of project finance terms; references to legal and business books and articles relating to project finance; and sample project finance clauses and provisions with discussion and suggestions implementation. These features should enable practitioners and non-practitioners at all levels to understand the components and language of project finance and to recognize and avoid potential pitfalls.

This volume is comprised of a collection of papers dealing with various aspects of cross-border secured transactions, an important issue in the development of emerging financial markets and transitional market economies. A sound legal framework for lenders to effect and enforce secured transactions is called for in order to establish an investor-friendly climate. Special attention is paid to the EBRD Model Law on secured transactions, the UNCITRAL Draft Convention on Assignment in Receivables Financing, and the UNIDROIT model. The papers stress the importance to the transition process of the development of a modern framework for secured transactions.

This work covers the new Netherlands Antillean legislation on money laundering and makes suggestions for improvement. It provides an overview of money that has been obtained from criminal activities and either is used for illegal purposes and/or is used for the infiltration of the legal underworld by making (seemingly legal) investments (also called dirty money). This work also covers the International Agreements, and the legal situation in the USA, and includes some remarks on bank secrecy and other secrecy obligations. This book will serve as a reference manual for staff of financial institutions, government personnel, accountants and legal practitioners, who in their work may be confronted with aspects of money-laundering.

This practical handbook on key issues in derivatives investment covers such topics as: risks from using and not using derivatives; the disclosures that dealers should make to customers; whether derivatives are securities; what disclosures should be made by users to their shareholders; suits by users against dealers; and what directors of users should know about derivatives. These issues are discussed both from the point of view of customers who purchase and use derivatives, and of banks and other dealers.

This study adopts a public policy perspective in its examination of the way capital market intermediaries fund their market operations in eight of the most dynamic countries of East and Southeast Asia: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Concerns about the ability of securities firms to fund themselves came into prominence in the world's major financial markets during the 1980s. It is striking that similar concerns had not surfaced about the Asian capital markets, particularly given the weakness of their money markets. As the forces limiting demand for funds change in the future, the financial systems examined will encounter problems in responding to the new demands for liquidity.

Contains 13 national reports and the general report on Money Laundering and Banking Secrecy. The reports were written for the XIVth Congress of the International Academy of Comparative Law which was held in 1994 in Athens, Greece. As narcotics trafficking exploded in the 1980s, it was realized that money laundering had become a threat to the entire integrity of the financial system. The international trend to regard money laundering as a serious threat to the stability of democracy and the rule of law found expression in the adoption of the 1988 United Nations Drugs Convention. Gradually, the international community diverged from its traditional, narrow approach whereby only the laundering of drug proceeds was considered a threat. In order to combat money laundering efficiently, it soon became clear that criminal law was not sufficient and that it was necessary for banks and other financial institutions to co-operate with law enforcement agencies. The banking community is now obliged to report suspicious transactions, which they often regard as going beyond their role as bankers. The issue of bank secrecy has played an important role in the discussion between law enforcement agencies and the banking community.

The trend towards internationalization, especially in the trade and finance sectors, brings with it an urgent need to know about financial transactions and how they affect currencies. Rapid technological developments are having profound effects on financial transactions, the law and the commercial transactions sustained by that law. The progress in the creation of a single currency for use within the European Community have engendered major controversies over acceptable forms of financial transactions. This work presents the national reports and the general report of the panel on financial transactions which convened at the Athens Conference on Comparative Law, 1994. It reviews the interrelationship between modern techniques for financial transactions and currencies, and the general report ties them all together, as well as distinguishing some common themes in dealing with modern financial transactions.