The report focuses on the role played by financial market infrastructures (FMIs) in maintaining and promoting financial stability in Japan. FMIs are important tools that contribute to the Japanese financial sector, especially in the domain of domestic financial stability. The oversight and...

Germany has a comprehensive legislative and institutional framework for the effective supervision of the securities markets. The overall level of compliance with the IOSCO principles is high. There are significant industry concerns about the implementation costs resulting from a rapidly changing...

This 2007 Article IV Consultation highlights that Switzerland’s economy is performing well. The expansion moved into its fourth year with above average growth and employment, and few signs of inflation. This favorable outcome can be traced to a vibrant external environment, including in...

This Selected Issues paper discusses the impact of global financial turmoil on Japan. It describes how close integration in global financial markets has deepened and expanded the channels for spillovers. The paper discusses options for increasing the consumption tax to finance the public pension...

This report analyzes the Israeli economy and its financial system in detail. A strong macroprudential framework is believed to be an effective tool in identifying in advance and extenuating threats that arise within the financial domain. It is also stated that the present fragile global economic...

This report discusses the IMF/World Bank Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) exercise for China undertaken during June–December 2010. The assessment concluded that reforms in China have progressed well in moving toward a more commercially oriented financial system. Despite success...

The Republic of Korea’s 2008 Article IV Consultation highlights that Korea’s business cycle is turning downward while inflation pressures have increased. Risks are mainly external and on the downside, but a volatile domestic political environment also clouds the outlook. Inflation...

Kuwait’s economy continued to perform strongly in 2008, although signs of weakness emerged in the second half of the year. The authorities’ key challenge in the near term is to preserve financial stability and cushion the impact of the global slowdown. Executive Directors have...

This technical note examines the safety net, bank resolution, and crisis management framework in Spain. The financial safety net architecture for the banking sector comprises the Banco de España (BdE), the Fondo de Garantía de Depósitos (FGD), and the Fondo de Reestructuración Ordenada...

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...