The book asks whether transplanting banks can solve the problems involved in creating a well-functioning market economy from outside, looking especially at the virtually complete takeover of East German banks by their Western counterparts after unification. Drawing on a wide range of English and German sources, and fieldwork interviews across Germany, it argues that there are no quick fix solutions to transition to a market. Implications are discussed for East Germany and for other previously centrally planned economies, and the global implications of foreign ownership in banking are considered.

Autorentext

GREGG S. ROBINS is currently managing director for Citibank's International Personal Banking business in Switzerland. He was previously Global EMU Director for the Citibank Private Bank. Dr Robins has published articles in the Oxford International Review, Problems of Communism and the Investors Chronicle. In this book Dr Robins is expanding on his earlier work on the subject. He received a doctorate degree in management studies from Oxford University, where he had previously earned his master's degree in Russian and East European studies. His undergraduate degree in economics is from Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Inhalt

List of Tables List of Figures Preface Foreword Introduction The Banking System in the Transition: A Conceptual Framework Context and Approach of the Investigation Economic, Institutional, and Banking Development After GEMSU Overall Financial Flows and Bank Activities The Hausbank System in the East After GEMSU The East German Experience in Perspective Appendices Bibliography Index