Banking in Continental Europe
Major central banks in the European Union are France's Banque de France, Germany's Bundesbank, and the Bank of Italy. Major commercial banks include Germany's Deutsche Bank A.G., Dresdner Bank A.G., and Commerzbank A.G., and France's nationalised Banque Nationale de Paris, Crédit Lyonnais, and Société Générale. differences distinguish the banking system of continental Europe from that of many other developed nations. The main differences are in ownership, , and of activities.

One distinguishing of European banking, especially in the Latin countries, is the of the state. all banking in the United States, Canada, and Britain, are privately owned. In France and Italy, however, the government either owns the commercial banks or the of their stock. The of the government in banking is therefore , and often . France's Crédit Lyonnais was the subject of criticism in the early 1990s because of the government extended to it to cover its heavy trading losses. European banks engage in some activities elsewhere, such as the placement and of common stock. Commercial banks in Europe tend to be highly business and limit their lending to shorter-term loans. Long-term loans are handled by bank affiliates. The share of the deposits and loans handled by the European banks tends to be particularly large. This stems from the absence of on branching, leading the large European banks to extensive of branches in their home countries. The absence of an antitrust also accounts for the greater degree of .

Germany's Bundesbank has become the central bank in the European Union, thanks mainly to its success in controlling inflation and Germany's strength. Its leaves it notably independent from government interference. There is a broad that it will serve as the basis for any European central bank in the event of full European Monetary Union. However, the Bundesbank itself has in the past been conspicuously lukewarm about the , fearing the effect of association with other national on its own sound record on inflation.

Banking in Switzerland
Switzerland is renowned as a centre for world banking because of its political , its , and the national of confidentiality in banking, dating from a law of 1934 which made it an offence for banks to disclose details about their customers without express authorisation. changes and international agreements have not overly compromised this secrecy, especially with regard to noncriminal tax evasion. Private banking is one of the country's of .

The semiprivate Swiss National Bank, Switzerland's central bank, is owned jointly through shares held by the cantons, other banks, and the public. Swiss commercial banking is by the "Big Four": the Union Bank of Switzerland, the Swiss Bank Corporation, Crédit Suisse, and Swiss Volksbank. Numerous smaller banks and branches of foreign banks also operate in Switzerland. There are also 28 canton banks, and controlled by their respective cantons.

Banking in Japan
As one of the world's richest countries, Japan has a banking with influence on the world as a whole. The Bank of Japan is the national central bank, and controls the banking system; it has less autonomy than in many other developed countries. Several government banks and the commercial banking : the Japan Export-Import Bank handles large for international trade; the Housing Loan Corporation the provision of company housing; and the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Corporation advances loans for . The Japan Development Bank supports industrial , by the private Industrial Bank of Japan, Long-Term Bank of Japan, and Nippon Bank Ltd. Some private banks such as Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank (the world's largest bank) are tied closely to the government through government ; the Bank of Tokyo specialises in foreign exchange. Commercial banks such the Mitsubishi Bank, the Mitsu Bank, and the Sumitomo Bank are often relics of the great prewar commercial and industrial conglomerations, the zaibatsu, and close ties with their associated businesses and . Small-scale and associations, grouped on a prefectural basis, are important in providing banking services for farmers and small businesses. Japan's loans and savings banks all into full commercial banks after reform in 1989. The state Postal Savings System is also an important for savings. Reform of Japanese banking laws in the mid 1990s freed banks to operate in the international trade frequented by Japan's highly successful financial houses. Reciprocal opportunities were also opened for houses to offer banking services. The banking is expected to its business in the long term as a result of these changes.

Banking in Canada
The Bank of Canada is the national central bank. Canada has numerous chartered commercial banks. In 1980 Canadian banks were reorganised into two bands: " I", with shareholdings by any limited to 10 per cent; and " II", either foreign-owned or in private hands. Further in 1992 freed banks, trust companies, and insurance companies to into each other's of interest, and opened ownership of II banks to nonbanking . Trust and mortgage loan companies, provincial savings banks, and unions are also important of the banking system.

Banking in Australia
The Reserve Bank of Australia, in 1911, is the national central bank. The of the Commonwealth Banking Corporation, including the Commonwealth Trading Bank and the Commonwealth Savings Bank (Australia's largest savings bank), are also government owned. Large commercial banks in Australia are referred to as trading banks: examples include the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the National Australia Bank, and the Westpac Banking Corporation. Building societies are also common. Banking reform in the 1980s to that enacted in Britain freed many building societies to become banks or offer banking services, and also opened the market to more foreign competition.

Banking in New Zealand
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is the national central bank. The Post Office Savings Bank (the largest saving bank), the Reserve Bank, and the Bank of New Zealand (largest of the commercial banks) are owned and operated by the government. Commercial banks are called trading banks as in Australia: the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group and the Westpac Banking Corporation are both also represented in Australia. Trustee savings banks are also prevalent. The government lends money at low interest to farmers, home builders, and small businessmen through the State Advances Corporation.