As the financial crisis engulfs the world economy, there is an ambitious agenda for regulatory reform in parliaments and government agencies. This book provides a multidisciplinary approach using economics, finance and the literature on law and economics, to illuminate past and present banking and financial regulation designed to prevent another credit/dollar crisis and global recession. This book offers a comprehensive analysis of all themes in banking and financial regulation. It provides theory and experience of financial regulation orienting the public, parliaments and government agencies. The authors to this volume argue that the rush to regulation of financial institutions and markets, which has been demonstrated in previous recessions, should not be motivated solely on the existing official interpretation of the cause behind the financial crisis. This book is indispensable reading for all interested in international banking and finance, macroeconomics and capital market regulation, as well as to institutions, professionals and practitioners engaged in international financial business.