This paper presents a comprehensive database and analysis of bank regulatory and supervisory policies in 180 countries from 1999 to 2011. The authors, James R. Barth, Gerard Caprio, Jr., and Ross Levine, compiled the data from four World Bank surveys, which included responses to hundreds of questions on various aspects of banking regulation and supervision. The dataset covers a wide range of topics, such as permissible bank activities, capital requirements, supervisory powers, information disclosure, external governance, deposit insurance, and loan provisioning. The authors constructed summary indices to facilitate cross-country comparisons and analyses of policy changes over time. The paper highlights the evolution of banking systems, including changes in bank concentration, ownership, and the role of foreign-owned banks. It also examines the organization of regulatory agencies and the structure of banking systems. The analysis reveals significant heterogeneity in policies, organization, and structure across countries, with some convergence in certain areas. The paper provides insights into the design and implementation of effective banking policies and their impact on economic outcomes.This paper presents a comprehensive database and analysis of bank regulatory and supervisory policies in 180 countries from 1999 to 2011. The authors, James R. Barth, Gerard Caprio, Jr., and Ross Levine, compiled the data from four World Bank surveys, which included responses to hundreds of questions on various aspects of banking regulation and supervision. The dataset covers a wide range of topics, such as permissible bank activities, capital requirements, supervisory powers, information disclosure, external governance, deposit insurance, and loan provisioning. The authors constructed summary indices to facilitate cross-country comparisons and analyses of policy changes over time. The paper highlights the evolution of banking systems, including changes in bank concentration, ownership, and the role of foreign-owned banks. It also examines the organization of regulatory agencies and the structure of banking systems. The analysis reveals significant heterogeneity in policies, organization, and structure across countries, with some convergence in certain areas. The paper provides insights into the design and implementation of effective banking policies and their impact on economic outcomes.