The aim of this guide is to provide helpful information to constituents who visit their MP or local Councilor looking for guidance on financial services issues.
Covering 25 subjects from mortgage arrears and pensions to how to fight fraud, the pack is split into practical briefs that can be copied and given to constituents as needed. The guide contains answers to frequently asked questions and details of what to do and where individuals can go next for help.
It is important to note that the information provided is illustrative and that constituents should seek a full assessment of their entitlements and liabilities. We recommend that users of this guide should
work with their local CAB to ensure that effective advice is provided for constituents. Very often, one issue relates to another, so at the bottom of most pages you will find an orange box directing you to other pages in the guide that may also be of use.
This information is also available on the websites of each of the individual trade bodies responsible for this guide. Please refer to Who is the Financial Fringe? on pages 7 and 8.

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The literature on financial stability often argues that increased competition causes riskier banking behavior and deteriorates bank assets, and therefore, financial liberalization is a source of Financial instability. Examples are Chantal. (1986), Riordan (1993), Gehrig (1998), Schnitzer (1999), Dell.Ariccia (2000), and Hellmann et al. (2000). Despite such a consensus, the empirical findings regarding the effects of increased competition on risk are mixed.

On the one hand, there is evidence of a link between financial crises and financial liberalization1. On the other hand, among the European emerging economies, it seems that those banking sectors with better performances are those that greatly reduced their entry restrictions. Lifting intrastate restrictions of the US banking sector also contributed to the substantial improvement in loan quality, according to Jayaratne and Strahan (1996). This

raises the issue whether the current consensus regarding the relationship of banking competition and risk taking is justified.

This issue is directly related to the on-going effort of building sound banking systems. In the past two decades, many financial markets have resorted to financial liberalization in order to foster financial deepening. In the mean-time, the frequency and degree of severe ness of financial crises have increased. The question is whether there are inherent trade-offs between efficiency, indicated by lower loan rates, and safety of the financial system, and between financial deepening and stability. If there are such trade-offs, is increased competition a source, as has been widely accepted? Policy makers have gradually realized that the role of regulation is lim-ited in building a sound banking system. Establishing an effective incentive structure is an equally important concern. One aspect is to improve banks.

incentives for acquiring information. Needless to say, this role of banks is

1See, e.g., Demirg¨u¸c-Kunt and Detragiache (1998) and Gruben et al. (1999).vcrucial in achieving Þnancial stability and in allocating Þnancial resources efficiently. Again, the question raised here is what role market structureplays in banks. incentives for acquiring information.

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This model has been extremely useful in explaining the role of banks in the economy. It has also been useful in pointing out structural weaknesses of the banking sector that may justify government intervention--for example, exposure to runs and panics, the persistence of rationing in the credit market, and solvency problems.
Microeconomics of Banking provides a guide to the new theory. Topics include why financial intermediaries exist, the industrial organization approach to banking, optimal contracting between lenders and borrowers, the equilibrium of the credit market, macroeconomic consequences of financial imperfections, individual bank runs and systemic risk, risk management inside the banking firm, and bank regulation. Each chapter ends with a detailed problem set and solutions

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66 ways to save money a useful guide from Consumer Literacy Consortium. This book explain how to buying product, services all most anything in safe way. Over two million copies distributed. Very informative book for everyone.
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A free e-Book From the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, this is an introduction to banking for young people. Here you will find the answer for the following questions
How do people start banks?
How did banking begin?
Why are there so many different types of banks?
How do I choose a bank?
What types of accounts do banks offer?
Is it difficult to open a bank account?
What happens to money after you deposit it?
What happens when you apply for a loan?
What are checks, and how do they work?

And many more just read and increase your knowledge on banking.

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