In this paper we argue that, for a group of converging economies of the European Union, participation in the euro area has been associated with easier access to financing by domestic economic agents. Easier access to financing was a significant impulse leading to a sharp increase in households'...

Purpose This paper aims to briefly review the literature on interest rate convergence and the European debt crisis with a special focus on the current fiscal problems of some governments in Europe. Design/methodology/approach Relevant empirical papers are identified and reviewed focusing on time...

We investigate the extent of regional financial integration in the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Interest rate data show that convergence exists and that interest rate differentials are relatively short-lived—especially relative to other unified currency area and comparable...

Common currency areas and Asian common currency areas in particular are highly topical and somewhat controversial areas for research. We explore the hypothesis that the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meet necessary conditions for forming a common currency area and whether...

Fidelio Tata is a senior financial markets professional with some 30 years of leadership experience in derivatives marketing, institutional sales, risk management, and global fixed income research. He is a veteran of top Wall Street firms including JPMorgan, Credit Suisse, HSBC, and Societe...