Country Reports
2024
July 19, 2024
Panama: Financial Sector Assessment Program - Technical Note on Macroprudential Framework and Policies
Description: Since the 2012 FSAP, Panama has significantly strengthened its institutional framework and instruments for macroprudential policy-making. Among other reforms, to strengthen the transparency of and accountability for macroprudential policy, the Superintendency of Banks of Panama (SBP) and the Financial Coordination Council (CCF) have made significant progress in implementing several of the recent high-priority IMF technical assistance (TA) recommendations. These include establishing a dedicated Macroprudential Policy Committee (CPMP), updating the SBP’s decision making process for macroprudential policy issues, drafting a macroprudential policy strategy document, improving public communication via the Financial Stability Report (FSR), and addressing data gaps. The CCF also made notable advancements in establishing its own Committee on Macroprudential Policy, developing member entities’ capacity on macroprudential policy, and gathering data.
July 19, 2024
Panama: Financial Sector Assessment Program - Technical Note on Financial Safety Net, Resolution, and Crisis Management
Description: Key institutional pillars of a financial safety net have not been established in Panama. While state-owned banks benefit from an explicit government guarantee, Panama does not possess a deposit insurance framework, lender-of-last resort (LOLR) or emergency liquidity assistance (ELA)mechanism to preserve financial stability. Panama, as a fully dollarized economy with no central bank, faces constraints on its development of key components of the financial safety net which will need to be overcome.
July 19, 2024
Panama: Financial Sector Assessment Program - Detailed Assessment of Observance and Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision
Description: Since the last Financial Stability Assessment Program (FSAP) in 2012, the Superintendency of Banks of Panama (SBP) has made significant progress in updating its regulatory and supervisory framework. The SBP has implemented key elements of the international regulatory reform agenda, including Basel III and IFRS9, and has introduced comprehensive new regulations in a number of important areas, including corporate governance and risk management. The SBP has also adopted a structured risk-based approach to its supervision that is supported by a sophisticated IT system. Notwithstanding the progress made in many regulatory and supervisory areas since the last FSAP, there remain a number of gaps in the legal and regulatory framework and some areas for improvement in the SBP’s supervisory approach.
July 18, 2024
United States: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the United States
Description: The U.S. economy has turned in a remarkable performance over the past few years. Hysteresis effects from the pandemic did not materialize and both activity and employment now exceed pre-pandemic expectations. Real incomes were diminished by the unexpected rise in inflation in 2022 but have now risen above prepandemic levels. Job growth has been particularly fast, with 16 million new jobs created since end-2020. However, income and wealth gains have been uneven across the income distribution and poverty remains high, particularly following the expiration of pandemic era support. The outlook is for a continued healthy rate of growth with balanced risks around the baseline forecast.
July 18, 2024
Papua New Guinea: Second Reviews Under Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility and an Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility, and Request for Modification of Quantitative Performance Criteria-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Papua New Guinea
Description: Background. On March 22, 2023, the IMF Executive Board approved 38-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangements with Papua New Guinea to help address a protracted balance of payments need manifested in foreign exchange shortages and to support the authorities’ reforms to address long-standing structural impediments to inclusive growth. The authorities have made progress in implementing reforms supported by the program, demonstrating continued commitment to program’s objectives. The tense political and social environment, culminating in civil unrest in January 2024, has affected the parliamentary calendar and delayed the adoption of laws.
July 18, 2024
Germany: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Germany
Description: The economy contracted in 2023 due to high energy prices and interest rates. Headline inflation has fallen sharply as end-user energy prices have stabilized, but core inflation remains somewhat stickier, driven by services. Falling inflation and tight labor markets have turned real wage growth positive. High interest rates have boosted bank profitability, but part of this increase is likely temporary. High interest rates have exposed vulnerabilities in banks’ financing of commercial real estate activity.
July 16, 2024
Canada: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: The Canadian economy appears to have achieved a soft landing: inflation has come down almost to target, while a recession has been avoided, with GDP growth cushioned by surging immigration even as per capita income has shrunk. Housing unaffordability has risen to levels not seen in a generation, with demand boosted by immigration and supply facing continued challenges to expansion.
July 15, 2024
Iceland: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
Description: Economic Developments. Following an impressive recovery from the covid pandemic and commodity price shocks in recent years, a coordinated tightening of monetary and fiscal policies has successfully slowed domestic demand growth, strengthened the current account, and started to lower inflationary pressures. Recent volcanic activity has disrupted lives and livelihoods, but the macroeconomic impact is limited.