AN INCREASING ROLE FOR COMPETITION IN THE REGULATION OF BANKS

In terms of type of instrument, financial credit dominates, followed at some distance by commercial credit (financing purchases or the provision of services). This latter type of finance has come to account for a smaller share of credit transactions involving companies. Around 10% are leasing operations, with other items (fixed income, factoring and documentary credit) representing only a small share. In terms of the currencies used, the majority of the loans are denominated in pesetas (or euros). The maturity structure is fairly balanced. In general, a shift may be observed from shorter terms to longer ones over the...