Book excerpt: A solid understanding of how banks operate is crucial to grasp the functioning of modern society. Banks are an intrinsic part of business, finance, and everyday life. Modern banking is regulated by a sophisticated set of laws and regulations that are constantly evolving. Banking Law and Practice from the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers outlines and explains these laws and regulations clearly and in detail. This regulatory framework has a deep impact on banks, bankers, and anyone that deals with them, which is the overwhelming majority of society. This high level of impact makes Banking Law and Practice an important book as well as a necessary and authoritative reference for industry professionals, students, and the public at large. Banking Law and Practice discusses a range of topics that have a direct bearing on the day-to-day operations of banks, from contracts to how to ensure safe and secure lending. It examines the development and current state of banking legislation and regulation and facilitates bankers and their institutions to shape their practice to meet all the necessary legal and regulatory requirements. Students, industry professionals, and the public at large will welcome the thorough and clear explanations of the legal and regulatory framework in which banks operate. This book is essential reading for candidates studying for the HKIB Associateship Examination and anyone else seeking expert knowledge of the legal and regulatory structure affecting banks in Hong Kong. Topics covered in this book include: Contractual Relationships Code of Banking Practice Money Laundering Negotiable Instruments Law Related to Securities Bankruptcy and Insolvency