INTRODUCTION
Primarily to channelize money from those who have it (savers/investors) to those who need it (borrowers) and to facilitate cross-border flow of funds through exchange of currencies. That eco-system of banks and financial markets (including Central Banks) has deepened in size, sophistication and complexity over the years.
Consequently, the benefits of a robust eco-system of banking and financial markets facilitated and overseen by a strong Central Bank, are real and visible in most countries. However, they have also been the subject of abuse, failures and economic distress in several countries, with a ‘contagion effect’ on the rest of the World!