Economic conditions have stabilized, and the economy is projected to bottom out in 2010, giving way to a mild recovery in 2011 followed by stronger growth. The foremost policy challenge is to achieve the official fiscal consolidation targets so as to put debt ratios on a declining path and...

The financial sector is mostly comprised of the banking sector, which largely provides insurance and asset management services. A large part of banking system assets relates to subsidiaries and branches of foreign banks. The banking sector poses risks by virtue of its size and concentration. The...

This 2002 Article IV Consultation highlights that after four years of strong growth, economic activity in Cyprus has tailed off since late 2001, affected by the global economic slowdown. The authorities estimate growth for 2002 to have declined to 2.3 percent, with falling tourist arrivals and...

This technical note examines Cyprus’s factual update on the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision for Cyprus. The 2006 directive on corporate governance provides that each commercial credit institution should have a robust internal governance framework. Although the level of...

This technical note presents Cyprus’s Financial Sector Assessment Program Update. The authority has worked to enhance the quality of supervision, inter alia in the organizational area, upgrading the number of staff and staff expertise, and planning to intensify onsite supervision. A single...

This paper examines the Insurance Regulation and Supervision for Cyprus’s Financial Sector Assessment Program. The domestic nonlife market is dominated by motor insurance which accounted for 58 percent of net premiums. All Cypriot business is reinsured with nondomiciled reinsurers. Health...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that despite its resilience so far, the economy of Cyprus is slowing down and risks are increasing. The expected slowdown will increase credit risk in banks, which, in some plausible but unlikely extreme scenarios, could have systemic implications...

This paper discusses key findings of the Financial System Stability Assessment on Cyprus. The assessment reveals that the banking system of Cyprus has managed to avoid the worst effects of the global financial crisis, but stress tests confirmed that credit risk remains high. The assessment...

This Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSC) examines Fiscal Transparency for Cyprus. The report reveals that Cyprus has been making major progress in improving fiscal transparency, helped by the government’s efforts to strengthen budget management systems and comply with the...

This report reviews the Observance of Standards and Codes on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism for Cyprus. The report highlights that the Cypriot authorities have demonstrated resolve to reduce the...