The objective of this paper is to shed light on current trends and policy challenges in the financing of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by banks in Colombia. The paper is motivated by the well-documented financing gap for SMEs, whose causes are complex and multi-dimensional. Based on...

This paper briefly reviews the causes and propagation mechanisms of the global financial crisis, and the types of policy responses that have been undertaken to date in order to mitigate its adverse effects. It subsequently examines the way that it has been transmitted to the Cypriot banking...

A large banking system has served Cyprus well to date. It has supported the country’s outward-oriented, services-driven economic model and has significantly contributed to output and employment. The question going forward is whether banking system growth can continue indefinitely and at what...

The main objectives of this paper are to describe the evolution and current challenges of public debt management and debt market development in Cyprus in order to identify relevant policy options for the authorities. Although significant progress has recently been made in terms of using...

This book deals with financial liberalization issues in the context of trade negotiations. The liberalization of trade and investment in financial services is only a subset of the broader financial liberalization agenda. The purpose of trade and investment liberalization is to increase financial...