Best Banking Books of 2025

The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous is a comprehensive analysis of the historical context, economic properties, and potential implications of Bitcoin as a decentralized alternative to modern central banks. The author takes the reader on a journey through the history of money, exploring the monetary role of primitive trading systems, metals, coins, the gold standard, and modern government debt. Ammous also explains the operation of Bitcoin in a functional and intuitive way. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of money and monetary policy.

The Principles of Banking, Second Edition is a comprehensive and practical guide to modern banking and good banking practice. The book covers the original principles of banking, including lending policy, capital management, and liquidity risk management, and new material covering the impact of COVID-19 on banks, risk management, and balance sheet management. It also provides recommendations for bank asset-liability management best practices and includes new chapters in market risk management, foreign exchange risk management, interest rate risk, and credit risk policy and management. The book is an essential resource for banking professionals and students looking for a sustainable business model for their banking organization.

"Payments Systems in the U.S. - Third Edition: A Guide for the Payments Professional" is an essential guide for anyone in the payments industry or needing to use payments products. The book offers a comprehensive description of the payments systems, including cards, checks, ACH, wires, and cash, and how they work, evolve, and change. The third edition updates information about each system, adds a chapter on payments innovation, and includes a glossary of industry terminology. The book is written in clear and lively language, making it easy to read and understand. Overall, it is the go-to resource for understanding payments systems.

The book "21st Century Monetary Policy: The Federal Reserve from the Great Inflation to COVID-19" by Ben S. Bernanke, former chair of the Federal Reserve and Nobel Prize winner, provides a comprehensive analysis of the transformation of one of the most powerful institutions in the world. It examines the Fed's evolution over the past seventy years, including its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and speculates on its future. The book not only explains the central bank's new policymaking tools but also captures the drama of moments when so much hung on the Fed's decisions. It is a uniquely practical book that policymakers should read to make better decisions in the future.

The LSTA's Complete Credit Agreement Guide, Second Edition is an essential resource for navigating today's complex loan market. The book covers major changes in the loan market over the past seven years, including the rise of "covenant lite" agreements and other product developments. The authors provide in-depth coverage of all the nuances of today's credit agreements, as well as tips on how to manage defaults and navigate cross-border deals. This comprehensive guide is a must-read for anyone working in the syndicated loan market, whether you work for a company that borrows money or for a bank, hedge fund, or pension.

Capital Wars: The Rise of Global Liquidity is a thought-provoking book that sheds light on the role of Global Liquidity in driving economic cycles and financial markets. The author explains how this $130 trillion pool of footloose cash has been boosted by deregulation, innovation, and easy money, leading to financial globalization. The book highlights the importance of liquidity theory of investment, which has become more important with central banks actively pursuing quantitative easing policies. The book also warns about the risks associated with cross-border flows and the absence of liquidity. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the global financial system.

The NMLS Study Guide - SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test Prep Secrets Book, 2nd Edition, by Mometrix Test Preparation, is an excellent resource for anyone preparing for their SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test. The guide includes practice test questions with detailed answer explanations, tips and strategies, and a complete review of all NMLS test sections. It covers Federal Mortgage-Related Laws, General Mortgage Knowledge, Mortgage Loan Origination Activities, Ethics, and Uniform State Content. The guide is filled with specific and detailed information that will be key to passing the exam. Overall, this is a highly recommended study guide for anyone looking to succeed in the mortgage industry.

Manias, Panics, and Crashes: A History of Financial Crises is a classic text that has been revised and updated in its eighth edition. Robert McCauley, drawing on his central banking experience, provides new chapters on cryptocurrency and the US as the global lender of last resort. He also updates coverage of recent property bubbles in China, the US housing bubble of 2003-2006, and the Japanese bubble of the late 1980s. The book gives new attention to the social psychology that leads people to invest in Ponzi schemes and asset price bubbles. This panoramic history of financial crises is a must-read for anyone interested in finance and economic research.

Asset-Liability and Liquidity Management by Pooya Farahvash is a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to understand ALM, liquidity risk, and funds transfer pricing. Dr. Farahvash, with his vast experience in the financial industry, explains the concepts with a focus on real-world applications. The book covers basic and advanced topics, including financial valuation models, economic value of equity, value-at-risk, net interest income, and earnings-at-risk. The detailed appendix at the end of the book is a helpful resource for beginners. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for traditional banks, investment banks, hedge funds, and all investment professionals looking to enhance their understanding of these critical financial concepts.

The Federal Reserve: A New History by Robert L. Hetzel is an insightful and comprehensive account of the evolution of the Fed and its impact on the US economy. Drawing on decades of experience, Hetzel examines the successes and failures of the Fed's monetary policies, including critical moments such as the Great Depression, the Great Inflation, and the Great Recession. The book also analyzes the Fed's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and proposes ways to determine the optimal monetary standard. Overall, this book is a critical volume for anyone interested in the history and workings of the Federal Reserve.