The Detailed Assessments of the Observance of Standards and Codes on France reviews compliance with Basel Core Principles for effective banking supervision. The French insurance market is notable for its broad range of distribution channels, which include tied agents, insurance brokers, salaried...

The Canadian financial sector is among the world’s most highly developed. The five large banking groups that form the core of the system are conservatively managed and highly profitable. The stress tests suggest that the large Canadian banks can withstand a broad range of shocks. The...

The discussions centered on the needed steps to tighten monetary conditions, curb banks’ external borrowing, and reduce banks’ vulnerability to a sharp deterioration in the quality of loan portfolios. Strong expansion in oil and non-oil receipts in 2005 permitted continued rapid...

Bulgaria's macroeconomic performance in the face of the prolonged slowdown in the EU has been impressive, but risks have intensified. The response of fiscal policy to these risks has been adequate. Plans to increase reliance on state enterprises to carry out public sector activities are...

Bulgaria's macroeconomic performance, in the face of the prolonged slowdown in the EU, has been impressive, but further efforts are required. The government's fiscal policy has underpinned recent economic success, and pressures to loosen such policies should be resisted. Fiscal reforms have...

The staff report for the Second Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement on the Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia highlights economic developments and policies. FYR of Macedonia’s economic performance since independence has been marked by notable achievements in macroeconomic...

Bulgaria’s First Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Request for Waiver of Performance Criteria are discussed. With macroeconomic conditions expected to remain favorable, competitiveness at an adequate level, and a lower current account deficit, concerns about external vulnerability...

The Kyrgyz Republic is emerging from a deep political crisis. In April 2010, a popular uprising toppled the previous regime and internal ethnic conflict in June 2010 exacerbated the already difficult political situation. The crisis has adversely affected economic activity and near-term growth...

This 2011 Article IV Consultation reports that Peru’s activity is expected to decelerate in 2011–12 to slightly below trend while inflation declines toward the target and the external current account deficit remains contained. Short-term risks are markedly to the downside given...