This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the global economic crisis has severely affected the Portuguese economy. Output will likely contract by almost 3 percent in 2009, driven by sharp falls in exports and investment. Despite a substantial rise in unemployment to nearly 10 percent,...

The Executive Board approved a three-year Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Ireland under the exceptional access policy and Emergency Financing Mechanism (EFM). Political developments have been turbulent. The authorities are moving ahead with a comprehensive...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that Sweden has been hit hard by the global financial crisis. Two of its banks built up large exposures in the Baltics that significantly increased loan losses beyond normal recessionary levels. In response to the crisis, the authorities have taken...

This article is an overview of existing deposit insurance in the European Union. There are various national deposit schemes that form the source of insurance. The schemes come up with various coverage, contributions, and fund sizes. The recent financial crisis has brought about a change in the...

Since the 2003 Financial Stability Assessment Program (FSAP) update, Ghana’s financial system has undergone rapid growth and structural transformation. The authorities have been implementing reforms to enhance the financial system’s resilience to shocks and its contribution to...

The Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision (BCP) assessment confirms the high standard of prudential regulation and supervision described in the 2003 assessment, and found that the issues identified have largely been addressed. The Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC),...

This paper discusses key findings of the financial system stability assessment (FSSA) on the Central African Republic. The assessment reveals that the liquidity position of the financial sector has improved in recent years. This reflects a more favorable economic environment following the end of...

This paper discusses key findings of the Financial System Stability Assessment for Italy. The assessment reveals that Italy’s financial system is sound, and no major vulnerabilities that could cause systemic risks are identified. The deep restructuring of the banking sector in the 1990s...

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Paraguayan economy performed very well over the past five years, with real GDP growth averaging about 5 percent a year—the best in a generation. The fiscal position strengthened considerably, thereby reducing public debt sharply to...

Improved liquidity and capital adequacy have increased the Uruguayan banking system’s capacity to withstand shocks. However, macroeconomic and financial risks remain owing to the high level of government debt, guarantees to state banks, high dollarization, and a high share of nonresident...