The present book is a collection of studies presented at the 10th International Conference on Finance and Banking which took place at Silesian University - School of Business Administration in Karvina, Czech Republic on October 19 - 20, 2005. All papers presented at the conference have been peer-reviewed and, consequently, the nine best papers that discuss issues corresponding with the book's focus have been selected by the editors for publication in this book. In spite of the fact that the book is a collection of independent studies it represents a comprehensive and consistent work. All studies (book chapters) are tied together by common references. Through original research, the book will cover various aspects of financial and banking sectors in new EU-member countries, giving a comparison of their development to financial sectors of developed countries. Special attention is paid to prospective integration of the new EU-member countries to the European Economic and Monetary Union and the implications for national economic policies. Generally, the book we are offering gives very deep insight into the financial sector of new EU-member countries written by a very interesting group of authors. It combines young and promising economists with respected researchers living in new as well as in traditional EU countries and working in various ways with the financial sector. The book successfully pulls together theory and actual development of financial sectors in new EU-member countries. Moreover, a rich blend of applied theory and actual practice makes the book attractive for a wide spectrum of readers.