In the decades preceding the Great Crisis of 2007-2009, banking systemsunderwent a profound transformation, progressively moving awayfrom a type of banking centred on personal relationships towards onebased on more standardised and impersonal rapport. It was thought that,through this...

In the aftermath of the financial crisis, the foundations of modern and innovative financial systems developed over decades have suffered serious damage. This has triggered massive state interventions and has led authorities to revamp the regulatory structures and frameworks. While many voices...

This book investigates the merits of a diverse banking system with a special focus on the performance and role of cooperative banks in seven European countries where they are prominent (Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). The theoretical and empirical arguments...