Banking law is vast and multifaceted and an area of practice that can be daunting. The practice of banking law has changed considerably over the last several years due to the financial crisis that erupted in the U.S. in 2007. In 2010, the passing of the Dodd-Frank Act created new federal governmental entities responsible for overseeing different aspects of the U.S. financial services industry, including identifying emerging systemic risks. It also shifted certain authorities and responsibilities among federal financial institution regulators, including the supervision of holding company affiliates and the regulation of consumer financial services and products. This book provides you with a thorough history of banking law and will guide you through today's system of financial regulation that is unlike anything else in the world. Banks are special entities, and lawyers representing banks need to understand their client's specific structure, importance of capital, and the new language that has formed. This practical resource gives you the keys to understand how banking law exists today by explaining: • the complicated history of our laws and how we achieved the complexity of today's regime; • structure options in the bank family, with special emphasis on our unique dual banking system; • the increasing significance of capital; • prudential regulation, limitations on expansion, and safety and soundness, the cornerstone of our regulatory world justified by "specialness"; • and much more. In addition, a banking law reference list is included at the end of the book with numerous acronyms and jargon to help you understand the new "Bank Speak." More than 30 years of accumulated legal learning is comprised in this book that will benefit banking law practitioners and students.