For Germany and Japan, it exceeds 75%, while that for China, Brazil, UK and France it exceeds 50% and for the United States it is just over 35%. Herfindahl index, a measure of concentration ratio, shows that concentration is low and the index normalized to a range of zero to unity reads 0.040 for March 2013, down from 0.065 in March 2000.
Apart from concentration, on several other parameters the sector appears fairly competitive. Interest rates, both on deposit and lending side are essentially deregulated. Branch licensing has now been freed subject to certain well-founded interventions to ensure that under-banked rural areas are not neglected. Foreign banks can seek licenses on tap.