The global financial markets are not just driven by the big investment houses & fund managers. Along with these private banks insurance houses hedge funds sovereign wealth funds & a range of boutique investment managers regional institutions & brokers of different sizes & nationalities all operate & interact to form the bedrock of the global financial infrastructure. Because of this it is essential that practitioners & observers of the markets fully understand the linkages objectives & functions of these institutions & the new & dynamic environment they are working in. Market Players provides a complete roadmap to the institutions & intermediaries operating in todays global financial landscape illustrating what they are how they work how they interact & importantly their motivation. It explains the core financial market business of these institutions & considers how they have become the firms that we see today providing readers with a clear understanding of which market sectors are likely to see the most involvement from the different types of institution & importantly why they are involved in these market areas. Key features include: a series of case studies looking at examples of some of these institutions including an explanation of the EIB & the UK agency UKFI. They also look at the financial crisis & the impact on AIG & Northern Rock two institutions that clearly illustrate what can go wrong & how the other market players have to step in when this happens. an international perspective looking at representative institutions from Europe Asia & North America showing global similarities & differences. a Post Financial Crisis perspective on the structure of international banks in todays markets. coverage of the major players on both the buy & sell side of the market Written in plain English Market Players is an accessible & much needed guide to financial institutions equipping readers with the knowledge to better understand how the global financial markets really work.