This book provides state-of-the-art analysis of banking and financial systems in the Arab world. The early chapters of the text present an overview of Arab economies linking this to banking and financial sector trends in the Arab world over the last twenty years. Major contemporary themes relating to the structure and performance of Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) banking systems including financial liberalization and the efficiency features of banking systems are analyzed in detail. Specific attention is paid to the recent empirical work on banking sector efficiency in various countries including Egypt, Jordan, the Gulf and Maghreb banking systems. Developments in retail, corporate and investment banking as well as the growth of Islamic banking are also noted throughout the text. In addition, regulatory developments impacting on banks in the Arab world including the impact of Basel 2 and the OECD's Financial Action Task Force initiatives are also discussed.