The Finnish financial sector has weathered during the global crisis. Banks’ capital buffers were sufficient, but liquidity and credit risks required monitoring. The study assessed that there is a need for strong crisis management framework. It is found that an evaluation of Deposit...

Significant legislative changes and regulatory developments have taken place in the Netherland’s insurance sector. The initial Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) and the current assessment are benchmarked against the Insurance Core Principles (ICPs) issued in 2003. Progress has...

This Technical Note discusses results of stress testing of the banking sector in Poland. The Polish banking system is well capitalized and liquid, as confirmed by stress tests results. Polish banks are, in aggregate, resilient even under severe adverse scenarios. Some small banks could fail to...

The impact of the financial crisis on Sweden’s economy and financial sector is analyzed in this study. From the financial stability analysis, banks are resilient to credit risk and could face difficulties with respect to liquidity risk. The frameworks of international reserve management...

This paper presents the staff report for Norway’s 2009 Article IV Consultation on economic developments and policies. Unemployment remains low, and key short-term indicators point to a continued recovery. Norway’s resilience has been underpinned by substantial macroeconomic...

This Selected Issues paper and Statistical Appendix sheds light on the Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia’s low growth and high unemployment during the 1990s by analyzing enterprise level data. The paper provides some background information on FYR Macedonia’s enterprise...

The first review of the three-year PRGF arrangement approved on May 2, 2001, has been delayed to give the authorities time to rectify weaknesses in program execution during a four-month consolidation period by meeting specified revenue and expenditure targets set for that period. The medium-term...

This paper examines Armenia’s Fifth Review Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) and Request for Extension of the Arrangement. Performance under the PRGF-supported program since mid-2003 has been satisfactory: the authorities met all quantitative targets and implemented...

This paper on the Republic of Poland’s Financial System Stability Assessment highlights economic policies and development. Skillful policy management and sound fundamentals have allowed the economy to weather the global financial crisis, and the euro area turmoil. Risk drivers include...

The Irish authorities are adopting consolidation measures to meet the original fiscal targets as well as implementing structural reforms in the labor market and sheltered sectors to enhance competitiveness. Strengthened euro area support for Ireland’s growth and debt sustainability would...