Internet Banking and the Law in Europe: Regulation, Financial Integration and Electronic Commerce

The European Union has long sought to create a single financial area across Europe where consumers in one country benefit from financial markets and activities in other countries. With the emergence of the Internet as a platform for the provision of online banking services, the creation of a pan-European market for banking services appeared a realistic proposition. In practice, however, this has not happened.

This book asks why and argues that the creation of banking markets via the Internet relies on both available technologies and appropriate laws and regulations. The institutional and legal framework for online banking services in the single European market are examined, as is the level of legal harmonization achieved in the UK, France and Germany under the influence of the EU Directives pertaining to online banking activities.

• The first empirical survey of commercial practices in the field of online banking in Europe
• Up-to-date, comprehensive overview of the legal aspects of providing banking services via the Internet in the Single European Market
• Presents an original argument that draws on legal theory, financial law and regulation, international economics, international political economy, history and practice of European economic integration