Authoritative coverage provides a foundation for understanding core concepts and recent developments in banking and financial institutions. This Nutshell title covers subjects such as the history and structure of the financial services industry and its regulators, interaction of law with monetary and economic policy, increased competition, bank and thrift failures, large-scale bailouts, and deregulation and restructuring efforts. Unresolved challenges include budget stimulus, treatment of deficits, and new questions about the appropriate role of supervision by regulators.