"The relationships among competition in the financial sector, access of firms to external financing, and associated … economic growth are ambiguous in theory. Moreover, measuring competition in the financial sector can be complex. In this paper … Claessens and Laeven first estimate for 16 countries a measure of banking system competition based on industrial organization …

risky, which is consistent with the demise of the U.S. investment banking sector. "--World Bank web site …

-market premium and putting more downward pressure on domestic prices. "--World Bank web site …

supervision in every country in the world. The paper concludes by identifying reforms that would improve incentives by increasing … transparency and accountability in government and industry alike. "--World Bank web site …

conducive to crisis can also be associated with more unequal societies."--World Bank web site …