This technical note examines investment opportunities for pension funds in Kazakhstan. It puts forward policy alternatives that could lead to improved management of pension fund assets in Kazakhstan. The note emphasizes prudence in the management of pension assets, given the social and fiscal...

This Selected Issues paper presents a short history of the development of the financial sector of Luxembourg, highlighting the strong influence of tax and regulatory advantages for its past development. It describes the structure of the banking sector today and summarizes plans for harmonizing...

Luxembourg’s 2006 Article IV Consultation reports that the dominant financial sector has supported a steady rebound in economic activity. Growth is projected to remain healthy in the near term, but trend growth may decline as the rapid financial sector expansion may decelerate. The...

This paper presents findings of Financial System Stability Assessment for the Netherlands, including Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes on Banking Supervision, Securities Regulation, Insurance Regulation, and Corporate Governance. Overall, the financial system is sound, resilient...

The penetration level of the insurance and pension sectors in Malawi is low, but it seems adequate as compared with other countries in similar stages of development. Concentration and costs are high, the regulatory framework is outdated or inexistent and supervision is weak. An innovative pilot...

The 2006 Article IV Consultation on San Marino explains financial sector development and stability. A wide-ranging reform of the regulatory framework and supervision is under way to modernize the financial sector and make it conform to international standards. Executive Directors encouraged to...

The economic and financial crisis is affecting the fiscal accounts of virtually every country. Public sector support for the financial system, fiscal stimulus and the automatic stabilizers, as well as the revenue decline from the downturn in commodity and asset prices, are leading to sharp...

This paper presents an update to Hungary’s Financial System Stability Assessment, including a Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes on Insurance Regulation. The assessment reveals that financial intermediation in Hungary has continued to deepen. The expansion of bank lending at...

This Detailed Assessment of the Observance of International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) Insurance Core Principles for Portugal highlights the market analysis of the insurance market. Investment in domestic government bonds has decreased and is outweighed by nondomestic government...

This paper presents a technical note on Mexico’s Financial Sector Assessment Program update. The Mexican experience displays interesting characteristics that provide lessons for other countries that still need to design the decumulation phase of their newly established second pillars. The...