This book addresses issues in the current literature on corporate finance using historical evidence. In particular it looks at the role of universal banks in relaxing the credit constraints of firms, supervising managers and stabilizing share prices. The key issues is whether the Anglo-American asset based financing is more efective than the main-bank approach used in Germany and Japan. Earlier studies have found that firms with a close relationship with a major bank have high market value compared to book value, although it is difficult to determine whether this is cause or effect

History has shown us the role that financial and banking crises have had in economic transformation. The last crisis in 2008 was particularly significant because of its extent and its effect worldwide. Two aspects hold equal importance. Firstly, governance is a key concept to be clearly defined and enforced, especially within the EU. Both entrepreneurial and financial players must measure the impact of their various actions (transparency in decision-making processes, strategic choices to achieve profit, etc.), maintaining their market position while preserving the social positioning of all...