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The Bastiat Society of San Francisco welcomes Christopher D. Silber, essayist, author, consultant, and economic researcher for a two part event on Free Versus Regulated Banking.

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PART I: Fri Sept 22 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm (PDT)

Once again bank failures and talk of financial crisis are in the news with politicians and journalists calling for yet more stringent bank regulations. But would it surprise you to know history’s most regulated banking systems have been the most crisis-prone while the freest banking systems have been virtually crisis free?

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In the first of a two-part presentation Chris Silber discusses the most consequential regulations from three centuries of banking in England and Scotland—with decidedly contrasting results. During Scotland's free banking era of 1716-1845 England endured at least ten financial crises while Scotland experienced none. The discussion will focus on the "why" behind such wide financial divergences between countries that share the same borders, language, and comparable cultures.

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Chris will finish with an examination of the rapid and spectacular failure of Silicon Valley Bank and various aspects of the competing “regulatory failure” and “deregulatory failure” narratives surrounding SVB’s demise.

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PART II: Fri Oct 27 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm (PDT)

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With the 2023 regional banking crisis once again politicians and journalists calling for yet more stringent bank regulations. But would it surprise you to know history’s most regulated banking systems have been the most crisis-prone while the freest banking systems have been virtually crisis free?

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In the conclusion of his two-part presentation Chris Silber discusses the most consequential regulations from over two centuries of banking in the United States and Canada—with decidedly contrasting results. During Canada's “free banking era” of 1817-1935 the United States endured at least thirteen financial crises while Canada experienced none. The discussion will focus on the "why" behind such wide financial divergences between countries that share a common border, language, and comparable cultures.

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Chris will finish with an examination of the differences between the two countries' regulatory systems that continue into the present day. Even as Canada's free banking era ended in 1935 Canadian banks still avoided the ravages of the 2008 Financial Crisis, not taking a penny of government money, while the U.S. financial system experienced a salient emergency and drew upon the Treasury’s historic TARP bailout.

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Schedule
6:00 - 6:30: Check In & Appetizers
6:30 - 7:30: Free vs Regulated Banking
7:30 - 8:30: Food, discussion & networking

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**Assortment of delicious sandwiches and refreshments.

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September 22 - Part 1: Free Versus Regulated Banking: Great Britain and Silicon Valley Bank

October 27 - Part 2: Free Versus Regulated Banking: The United States and Canada

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Part 2 is scheduled for Friday, October 27, 2023. Those who choose to purchase Ticket Option 1 will receive a separate confirmation email with a Promo Code to register for Part 2.

Limited Seating: this event is limited to 20 attendees.

Registration is required. Registration link coming soon.

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Venue Address:
188 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105

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Parking information:
Street Parking or Rincon Center Garage - 121 Spear Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 (3-5 minute walk)