This paper examines the determinants of the high intermediation spread observed in the Colombian banking sector for over two decades. A reduced-form equation is estimated on the basis of a bank profit maximization model that permits a decomposition into operational costs, financial taxation,...

Colombia’s strong fiscal-institutional framework has been one of the main elements that explains the resilience of the Colombian economy to global economic turbulence. The consolidation of the fiscal framework has been a gradual process over the last 15 years and was strengthened with the...

This book analyzes the political economy of exchange rate policy in Latin America. It brings together the work of economists and political scientists interested in the interaction of economic and political factors in the development of exchange rate policy.

Como parte de un ambicioso programa de reformas iniciado con la reducción unilateral de aranceles en 1989, durante lo corrido de los noventa en Colombia se adoptaron medidas tendientes a redefinir la estructura y funcionamiento del sistema financiero. Así, se facilitó la entrada de nuevos...

This paper examines the determinants of the high intermediation spread observed in the Colombian banking sector for over two decades. A reduced-form equation is estimated on the basis of a bank profit maximization model that permits a decomposition into operational costs, financial taxation,...

Introduction. At the end of the 1980s Colombia confronted a situation of low growth and an unsettled domestic security situation. In order to address these issues, a comprehensive reform effort was undertaken starting in 1990. The reform agenda comprised market-driven reforms aimed at enhancing...

Since the 1960s Colombia has exhibited notorius economic stability and institutional continuity. Until rencently, the political system was based on an entreched bipartisan coalition, with little ideological confrontation. Power sharing, which was mandatory during the National Front (NF,...