This publication contains the proceedings of an international conference on the regulation of financial institutions and supervisory structural reforms, held in Washington D.C., United States in December 2003 and involving participants from 52 countries. It considers case studies of experiences of regulatory reform approaches adopted in a number of countries including Australia, South Africa, Ireland, Sweden, Hungary and Estonia.

As financial institutions increasingly operate globally & diversify their businesses, entities with an interest in financial stability cite the need for supervisors to oversee the safety & soundness of these institutions on a consolidated basis. The author reviewed the consolidated supervision programs at the Fed. Reserve System, Office of Thrift Supervision, & the SEC to: (1) describe policies & approaches that U.S. consolidated supervisors use to oversee large & small holding companies; (2) review the mgmt. of the consolidated supervision programs, including use of program objectives & performance measures; & (3) evaluate how well consolidated supervisors are collaborating with other supervisors & each other in their activities. Includes recommend. Charts.