<i>‘While alternative finance, or finance practices outside of banks and markets, have been around for a long time, the 21st century has seen the rise of new forms of fintech-based alternative finance. This book by Franklin Allen and Meijun Qian provides a comprehensive overview and assessment of a wide range of different forms of alternative finance looking at their development from the lens of theory, practice, over time and across countries. The book is a timely, and informative guide for academics, policymakers, and practitioners.’</i>
- Manju Puri, Duke University, US,
<i>‘This book is an outstanding collection of essays on alternative forms of finance – sources of finance outside the traditional boundaries of banks and organized financial markets – written by leading scholars. It covers a breathtaking array of topics, including trade credit, internal capital markets, social relationships, family loans, P2P lending and fintech, as well as the role of culture. Allen and Qian are providing the organizing foundation for a whole field of research that brings together seemingly disparate topics under one unifying umbrella. A must-read!’</i>
- Anjan Thakor, Washington University in St. Louis, US,