Private Finance, Public Power

Though American banks are private institutions, the public has immense influence on the actions and risks taken by banks. Conti-Brown and Vanatta delve into the complex history of the United States’ banking system and how it has evolved over the course of two centuries. Private Finance, Public Power (Princeton University Press) breaks down the overlap between the public and the private, detailing the network of groups and individuals who help shape American banking. From government involvement to various supervisory frameworks, Conti-Brown and Vanatta break down the intersections and influences that have led to the existence of banks as we currently know them.