Bank Regulation and Supervision Practices in South Asia

Bank Regulation and Supervision Practices in South Asia presents a comprehensive analysis of bank regulation and supervision practices in South Asia, offering in-depth country-specific and cross-country insights into regulatory frameworks and their harmonization within the region. Focusing on six South Asian countries - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka - the book systematically evaluates progression of key regulatory and supervisory practices to assess their effectiveness in promoting financial stability, resilience, and inclusive growth. It employs a co-created, comparative approach based on a common analytical framework, supported by survey-based data from the World Bank's Bank Regulation and Supervision Surveys (BRSS) and the latest ADBI-conducted survey during 2018-2024.

The country studies covered in the book provide discussion on a wide range of core and emerging regulatory frameworks, including deposit insurance, capital adequacy, liquidity regulations, FinTech-enabling and digital payments regulations, consumer protection, and environmental and social compliance norms. A unique analytical framework is adopted for assessment of macro-financial diagnostics, financial policy evaluations and identifying regulatory gaps in South Asia. Further, it presents the econometric assessment of the impact of regulatory reforms on bank performance in South Asia.

The book fills an important knowledge gap by offering both theoretical and practical insights, combining expert analysis with first-hand perspectives from central bank officials. It serves as a useful policy-relevant reference for regulators, researchers, and development partners, delivering actionable recommendations to strengthen regulatory norms and address emerging risks emanating from digitalization and climate change in the region.