Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book shows that the effects of financialization relating to state institutions, companies and households in terms of international, regional and local levels. It deals with the impact of financialization on financial institutions and financial markets. The book presents the developing and emerging countries as finance providers: foreign exchange reserves and direct investment to the European Union. It discusses the question of the need for global financial management dictated by the need to ensure economies' sustainable development and global prosperity. The book also discusses macroeconomic factors determining the level of financial expertise in the societies of the European Union on the example of numeracy. It suggests that the consequences for payment intermediation that result from the bankruptcy of banks in conditions of financialization.