Banking Power Shift examines the transformation of the U.S. banking system following the collapse of the Bretton Woods system. This period saw significant deregulation and a shift in monetary policy, fundamentally altering the financial landscape. The book explores how deregulation, intended to foster competition, inadvertently concentrated power among a few large institutions. One intriguing fact is how the dismantling of interest rate controls and the relaxation of barriers between financial institutions reshaped the banking sector. Readers will gain insights into the rise of novel financial instruments and the Federal Reserve's evolving role, crucial for understanding modern finance and economic stability.
The book progresses across three main sections, beginning with the theoretical foundations of financial regulation and the Bretton Woods era. It then analyzes key deregulation episodes, examining specific legislation and their impacts. Finally, it explores the Federal Reserve's adaptation of monetary policy tools in response to these changes. By combining primary source documents with academic research, Banking Power Shift offers a fresh perspective on the interplay between deregulation and monetary policy. It challenges the conventional narrative of deregulation as purely beneficial, advocating for a nuanced understanding to address future financial stability.
