Within the wide array of works recently devoted to the global financial crisis, this book takes an unusual approach, because it combines different, and often neglected, tools of analysis of the banking and financial system: the use of history for a better understanding of the public policy issues involved in financial regulation; the institutional and regulatory framework that is instrumental to financial stability; and a cross-country comparison of financial crises in three relevant countries: the UK, the US and Italy. The comparison highlights each country's peculiarities in financial structures, institutional arrangements and supervisory styles. This approach is supported by an extensive use -- also, often overlooked - of balance sheet data related to different sectors of each economy. The evidence of the recent crisis shows an unprecedented financial deepening particularly in Anglo-Saxon countries, and raises new questions about links between financial depth, instability and institutional factors. Roselli also suggests how financial regulation could move in an alternative direction.
Introduction PART I: THE INTERWAR PERIOD Financial Depth in Three Economies: The UK, the USA, Italy The Great Depression and Britain The United States: Boom and Depression Italy: Finance in a Fascist State PART II: FINANCIAL STABILITY AND EVOLUTION IN THE POSTWAR DECADES (A 'GOLDEN AGE'?) Financial Deepening in the Three Economies The United Kingdom: Not So Stable The United States: Big Government and Big Bank Italy's Recovery PART III: THE RECENT PERIOD The Broad Framework Financial Structure of the Three Economies: Never So Deep Growth and Collapse of the Shadow Banking System in the United States A Severe Test for London as the World Financial Centre Italy: Financially More Stable, but Structural Problems Persist Conclusion