The process of transition from a centrally planned economy to one driven primarily by market forces has been a source of controversy and debate. Although the pace and approach has varied we are now beginning to understand some of the essential ingredients necessary for a successful transition.These changes have produced a tremendous quantity of literature which can make it difficult to grasp the most important issues. This book focuses on the key questions and problems facing the monetary and financial sectors of transitional economies, specifically in Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. It examines many of the reforms, why these proved necessary, and their impact in the early stages of transition. The authors focus on four main themes: the removal of state intervention and its effect on liquidity and the availability of credit the failure of credit markets and the implications for corporate finance< the role of property rights and the importance of bankruptcy in a well-functioning market economy effects of the separation of the central bank from commercial lending functions, and its consequences for the overall operation of monetary policy in a transitional economy. Money and Finance in the Transition to a Market Economy will be essential reading for those wishing to learn more about the financial and monetary implications of the transition to a market economy in the Central and Eastern European countries. It will be welcomed by graduates, academics, researchers and policymakers alike.