This book is concerned with the nature and content of the underlying policy that has been developed within Europe in the area of banking and financial law. While banking and financial markets constitute essential commercial sectors within Europe, as well as providing a number of fundamental support services within any national economy, this is an area that has been given little dedicated attention until now. Only recently have the importance of financial markets and financial integration within Europe (and elsewhere) been properly and fully realized. This publication examines the origin, evolution, and legal validity of the core policy components involved in securing this integration within Europe and explores the operational effectiveness and value of the final financial program constructed. This is a seminal work in the area of cross-border and regional banking and financial integration.