Typical questions

• • What are the different types of stress tests?

• • I need annual reports from high street banks.

Starting points

• • While some free data is increasingly being made available online, highquality historical time series can be difficult to locate outside subscription databases. Free access to some of these can be obtained in some business libraries. Look in the Business and Economics chapters for advice. Information on international development finance is located in the Development Studies chapter.

• • Financial terminology can often be complicated. Consult the Study guides for basic help. Assistance in interpreting and manipulating statistical data can be obtained in the Research Methods chapter.

Recommended resources

Key organisations - trade associations

American Bankers Association (ABA)

www.aba.com

The premier banking trade association in the United States. Its website provides access to professional development resources, as well as news, events and analysis of the US economy, credit and lending markets. Some resources require membership.

UK Finance

www.ukfinance.org.uk

Created in July 2017. Represents over 300 leading firms and financial providers. Incorporates activities of the British Bankers Association and Council of Mortgage Lenders. Website includes industry news, policy documents and recent statistics on high street banking, credit, fraud and mortgages.

International Banking Federation (IBFed)

www.ibfed.org

Represents national banking associations worldwide. Useful information on international trends.

Central banks

The national institution that manages a state's currency, money supply, and interest rates. Their websites usually provide information on the state of the economy and banking regulation.

Bank of England

www.bankofengland.co.uk

Free access to Monetary Policy Committee minutes and policy papers plus a database of money, credit and financial statistics.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve

www.federalreserve.gov

Central bank of the United States. Website has explanations of the system as well as an extensive collection of working papers and statistical data covering the national economy and household finances.

To trace other national bank websites see the list maintained by the Bank of International Settlements (BIS)

www.bis.org/cbanks.htm.

International banking

European Central Bank (ECB)

www.ecb.int

Responsible for conducting monetary policy for the Euro area. Website provides free access to detailed information on the policy and governance of banks in EU nations and the operation of the Euro. It includes convergence reports, financial stability reports and an extensive statistical section with Euro data.