Comparative International Characteristics of Banking

by James R. Barth, Gerard Caprio Jr., and Daniel E. Nolle

Abstract

This paper compares key characteristics of banking systems across countries. A basic premise underlying our review is that the increasing globalization of banking and finance mandate a broad, cross-country perspective on banking issues. Indeed, cross-country comparisons can add insight into basic issues in banking that may not emerge, or are only partially discernible, from single-country analyses. With this in mind, we review representative research dealing with four fundamental aspects of international banking: the structure of banking, with emphasis on the connection between the development of the banking system and economic growth; banking industry performance; banking regulation, supervision, and corporate governance; and banking crises. We augment each of these discussions with an examination of the cross-country "landscape" of key dimensions of banking, using data for over 50 countries.

Disclaimer

Any whole or partial reproduction of material in this paper should include the following citation: James R. Barth, Gerard Caprio Jr., and Daniel E. Nolle, "Comparative International Characteristics of Banking," Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, E&PA Working Paper 2004-1, January 2004.

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