Banking markets have experienced a general trend towards conglomeration in recent years which has been facilitated by the deregulation of banks' activities. A particular feature of financial conglomeration has been the diversification of banks into insurance activities, and especially life insurance. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the concept and market characteristics of the bancassurance phenomenon. It also evaluates the impact of banking risks associated with diversification into insurance business.

This book offers a comprehensive view on bancassurance from its origin to future challenges and opportunities, considering the relevant changes currently interesting the financial services industry. It also provides a detailed review of theoretical and empirical literature dealing with financial conglomeration.

This innovative book provides the first detailed analysis of the increasing convergence of banking and insurance in the retail area, a trend commonly referred to as bancassurance. In the first part of the book industry- and firm-level characteristics are analysed which contribute to the increasing level of cross-industry penetration in the banking and insurance sector. The second part of the book provides for the first time a detailed account of banks' entry strategies into insurance. It thereby focuses on identifying the key factors which determine whether or not entry will be successful.

Handbook of International Insurance: Between Global Dynamics and Local Contingencies analyzes key trends in the insurance industry in more than 15 important national insurance markets that represent over 90 percent of world insurance premiums. Well-known academics from Europe, the Americas and Asia examine their own national insurance markets, including the competitive structure, product and service innovations, and regulatory developments. The book provides academics and executives with an unprecedented range of information about today’s insurance markets. This book also provides important 'new' information on the evolution of the financial sector worldwide and comprehensive chapters on reinsurance, Lloyd’s of London, alternative risk transfer, South and East Asian insurance markets, and European insurance markets. Setting the stage is an overview chapter by the editors focusing on overall conclusions on globalization.

siness models adopted by insurance companies; and comparative analysis of double tax treaty policies adopted in a number of countries with respect to the permanent establishment provision in the insurance business, highlighting Switzerland for comparative purposes. In a concluding chapter, the author proposes changes to the definition of the dependent agent permanent establishment currently enshrined in the model treaties and their respective commentaries, aligning such a definition to the regulatory framework in which insurance companies conduct their business in countries other than that of incorporation. As a highly significant and timely contribution to the study of the interplay between insurance regulation and tax implications, this very original work will prove of especial value to practitioners in international tax and insurance law, as well as professionals in the financial services sector and tax academics.

Experts from the major world economies discuss problems and distortions in their financial systems, international implications of these distortions, and possible solutions. Areas addressed include: money laundering, corruption, the mafia, stock market manipulation, derivative products, pension funds, banking systems, currency, taxation, emerging markets. This is an annual volume from the Finance, Ethics, and Confidence research program created by the Caisse des Depots et Consignations and conducted by the Association d'economie financiere.

With reference to India.