This paper presents an integrated overview of the literature linking institutions, financial development and economic growth. From the large body of research on institutional development, the paper first selects those contributions that make it possible to study the role of institutional...

This paper marshals substantial arguments and data to support the contention that improving the access of micro and small enterprises to financial services could have an important salutary impact on a country's income distribution. To demonstrate this, the paper shows first that many poor own or...

This paper discusses the conditions under which policy-based lending may further economic development within a Latin American and Caribbean context, given the current state of financial markets in most countries of the region. The discussion is intended as a conclusion to the articles presented...

The central objective of this discussion paper is to present a simple explanation of recent financial crises and, on that basis, to discuss some policy options for individual countries. Systemic policies are not discussed. More emphasis is put on understanding the nature of these crises than on...

This paper represents one of the first comparative analyses of experiences of integrated supervision. It discusses how several countries around the world have developed the processes of integrating financial regulation and supervision, and covers numerous relevant technical issues as well as the...

This document (IFM-111) analyzes the benefits of government bonds, and examines the impact that the introduction of a government bond market would have on the different economic actions. The paper also presents a brief overview of the practical issues that policymakers are likely to encounter in...

Access to finance remains a challenge for some micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Peru, particularly informal enterprises with no borrowing history in the formal financial system. Lenders lack the tools to reach these borrowers with sufficient scale and control over risk due...

Standards measures of female ownership and management of firms included in the World Bank Enterprise Survey do not support the existence of a gender gap in access to finance in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Nonetheless, more precise measures show that women-led businesses are more...

This book contains a selection of the major presentations from the conference: "Policy-Based Finance and Alternatives for Financial Market Development" held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in early 1996. It explores the generally successful East Asian experiences with policy-based finance and...

Recognizing the need to improve the quality of financial disclosure by private sector firms in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter-American Development Bank sponsored a conference in September 29-30, 1997 entitled Financial Disclosure and the Development of Financial Markets: The Impact...