Although the European Union (EU) has implemented initiatives and common rules regarding securities settlements, no similar integration initiatives have been proposed for the issuance and initial distribution of debt securities. The EU does not function as a single market given that issuers of...

The quadrupling of oil prices since the end of 1973 was accompanied by a rapid increase in the borrowings of developing countries. A global view of their external debt situation reveals some alarming realities.

The foreign capital requirements of less developed countries (LDCs) are basically the result of their huge volume of investment which far exceeds their actual saving potential. In addition, their capital needs are steadily rising owing to inflation and-not least-to the higher cost of energy. As...

In literature and practice the term “development bank” is commonly applied to investment banks for the financing of private projects which deserve to be promoted on general economic grounds. Their salient task is usually to provide medium- and long-term funds. Complementary consultative...