As part of the 2011 Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) update for Germany, this Technical Note reviews recent developments of mortgage-covered bond (Pfandbrief) and mortgage securitization markets in Germany, and explores future prospects for each against the background of ongoing...

This paper presents empirical evidence on the effects of achieving investment grade on borrowing costs for the sovereign and the private sector. This study provides background information on sovereign credit ratings and compares Panama’s key macroeconomic and institutional characteristics...

This report summarizes the findings of the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) Update for Spain. Although there is a core of strong banks that are well managed and appear resilient to further shocks, vulnerabilities remain. Substantial progress has been made in reforming the former...

This paper presents an update on Iceland’s Financial System Stability Assessment. Liquidity ratios, while high, now depend more than before on access to central banks’ liquidity facilities because of the turmoil in global markets, and any reduction in such access would require...

This 2006 Article IV Consultation highlights that following a vigorous expansion in recent years, a cyclical slowing in New Zealand’s economy commenced in 2005, with growth declining to 2¼ percent. Economic growth had averaged 4¼ percent annually in 2002–04, with domestic...

This paper discusses key findings of the Detailed Assessment of Observance of the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems–International Organization of Securities Commissions Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures(FMIs) in Singapore. Singapore has a well-developed payment,...

This paper discusses the main findings of the Detailed Assessment of Observance of the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems–International Organization of Securities Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (FMIs) for the European Union. Euroclear Bank’s risk framework...

Policies implemented over the last decade have strengthened economic fundamentals and brought macroeconomic stability. Major improvements in compliance with the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision and the implementation of International Organization of Securities Commission...

The rapid growth of the financial system presents a number of challenges to maintaining financial stability in Nepal. There has been a rapid growth of the banking sector over the last few years. State-owned institutions continue to dominate the banking system. Equity market capitalization has...

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...