At this Friday’s summit in Pittsburgh, the G-20 leaders will engage in the usual mix of photo ops, gourmet luncheons, backslapping and some real work. They and the world would be better off if this ‘real work’ of reforming the world financial system was informed by some sound principles.

In a debate that has bordered on being shallow and shrill, approaching regulation with a view to increasing the competitiveness, diversity and fairness of the financial system at the same time as reducing its complexity would be the only sensible route to take.

This policy paper sketches out what a good bank and a good banking system should like. It then reflects on policy options can can help us get from the banking systems we have to the ones we need

What should the banking system look like

This recent policy brief from Re-Define is a very important contribution to the curent policy discussions on financial sector reform. It lists, discusses and critiques the proposals put forward by governments in the US and Europe.

A stock-take of the ongoing financial reform discussions

This policy brief written in April 2009 discusses what financial sector reforms are needed in order to bring about a system that is more stable, more competitive, fairer and that better serves the need of the real economy

What financial reforms are needed