Abstract. The research comprises four chapters: internationalization and banking concentration – in the last two decades, banking systems from developed economies undergoing an unprecedented process of transformation: due to the internationalization and to the concentration of the banking activities; multinational banks – globalization led to the appearance of new centers of power, exercising a seemingly growing influence; banking partnerships/alliances – have become an alternative to the organic growth strategies, engaging in diverse organizational structures, from distribution agreements on various financial services to the formation of new entities; free banking areas – have set the pace for new trends in the global financial services industry.

Keywords: banking globalization; multinational banks; european banking system; free banking zone; banking concentration.