The global financial crisis has placed the spotlight squarely on bank stress tests. Stress tests conducted in the lead-up to the crisis, including those by IMF staff, were not always able to identify the right risks and vulnerabilities. Since then, IMF staff has developed more robust stress...

This assessment of the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision has been completed as part of the IMF Offshore Financial Center (OFC) assessment program. First, the assessment benchmarks the current state of banking supervision, recognizing that there have been extensive changes...

The financial services sector plays a dominant role in the economy of Guernsey. The report is organized in two volumes. Volume I provides the findings and the Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSCs). Volume II provides the detailed assessments of the Basel Core Principles for...

This Financial System Stability Assessment on Kuwait reviews the macroeconomic environment and gives an overview of the financial system. Financial stability has been effectively supported by prudent fiscal and monetary policies. The banking sector appears sound and is well regulated and...

This review of financial sector regulation and supervision in Jersey in the context of the offshore financial center assessment program contains technical advice and recommendations. The report provides a general overview of the financial system, a summary of the assessment findings and the...

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...

This Review of Financial Sector Regulation and Supervision in Labuan, Malaysia, highlights the supervisory and antimoney laundering frameworks. Labuan, an offshore financial center located in Malaysia, has all the essential elements for a suitable framework for financial supervision....

The report on the Antigua and Barbuda’s Observance of Standards and Codes on Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision is examined. Aggregated assets reported by the offshore banking sector totaled about US$3.0 billion, equivalent in size to about four times the GDP, as on...

This paper presents an update to the Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes Fiscal Sector Modules for Israel. The 2000–01 Financial Sector Assessment Program mission assessed Israel’s compliance with the Basel Core Principles for effective banking supervision. Israel was...

This paper reviews Financial Sector Regulation and Supervision in The Bahamas. The assessment reveals that the overall regulatory structure in The Bahamas is complex, involves an excessive number of agencies, and places a considerable pressure on limited technical and financial resources....