Banking Crises in Latin America: Experience and Issues

This paper argues that the experiences with banking crises in Latin America have been different from those in the industrial world because of the peculiarities of Latin American financial systems. Hence, applying the lessons derived from crisis resolution in the industrial world is not sufficient to deal with banking problems in the region. It must be augmented by the unique experiences of Latin American regulators if future crises in the region are to be managed or avoided. Paper prepared for the Inter-American Development Bank/Group of 30 conferences on Banking Crises in Latin America, October 6 and 7, 1995. This paper argues that the experiences with banking crises in Latin America have been different from those in the industrial world because of the peculiarities of Latin American financial systems. Hence, applying the lessons derived from crisis resolution in the industrial world is not sufficient to deal with banking problems in the region. It must be augmented by the unique experiences of Latin American regulators if future crises in the region are to be managed or avoided.