International Financial Integration: The Continuing Process

Abstract

This is the second chapter of a book, Financial Regulation in the Global Economy, Herring is writing with Robert Litan. In this chapter they show how technological advances - dramatic reductions in transportation, telecommunications and computation costs - are creating an increasingly integrated financial market that ignores national boundaries. First they examine the effect of these technological advanceson users of financial services, providers of financial services and regulators of financial services. Then they document the increasing volume of international financial transactions and evaluate the extent to which financial prices are integrated across countries. They conclude by highlighting the risks that are the consequence of increasing international financial integration and pose a challenge to managers of financial institutions and regulators.