The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision

Reviews / Votes

'Mr Goodhart has produced an in-depth and comprehensive narrative on the history of the world's banking regulator. A compelling account in its own right, his description of the evolution of the Basel standards is as relevant as ever as policymakers contemplate sound responses to the recent crisis.' Jaime Caruana, General Manager, Bank for International Settlements 'Since the progressive lifting of exchange controls in 1970s and 1980s, few international financial institutions have mattered more than the Basel Supervisors Committee. There could be no one better to chart its history than Charles Goodhart - economist of money and banking, policymaker, and friend and colleague of many of the key protagonists. The highs and lows are all brought out, including how ideas sometimes get given too much or not nearly enough weight. This is a 'must-read' for anyone who wants to grasp how international finance policy gets made in the real world.' Paul Tucker, Deputy Governor, Financial Stability, Bank of England 'Charles Goodhart is unique in combining sound economic analysis with understanding of the practical, political and organizational pressures bearing on financial policy making. His history of the early years of the Basle Committee, culminating in international agreement on bank capital standards, is a case in point. It casts light on the obstacles faced by the negotiators of new international standards, for capital, derivatives and other elements of international financial reform.' Paul A. Volcker, Chairman of the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, 2009-2011 'It will aid historians as much as contemporary readers in search of insight into how international standard-setting works in a world of national jurisdictions and pride.' Financial World 'Goodhart has provided neither a narrative nor analytical history, but rather an invaluable, roughly chronological encyclopedia of key ideas, recollections, and documents for an audience of economists, political scientists, historians, regulators, finance ministers, and of course, the central bankers and regulators who comprise this powerful Committee.' The Oxonian Review