Country Reports
2016
February 29, 2016
Republic of Moldova: Financial Sector Assessment Program-Detailed Assessment of Observance on the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision
Description: The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) has made significant progress in reinforcing its prudential and supervisory framework. Two medium-term strategies have been designed in succession since 2008 to set a forward-looking approach for supervision. The most recent one spanning four years (2013–17) aims to ensure a higher level of efficiency, transparency, and performance of the NBM by bringing the best international practices, particularly, in the area of corporate governance. The country is also in the process of transitioning from Basel I to Basel II. In the context of an Association Agreement to be signed with the European Union (EU),2 the NBM plans to implement the standard risk-weighting model of Basel II as well as other elements of Basel III. The objective is to enhance the NBM’s institutional capacity with the view to foster the banks’ prudential regulatory framework. The association process will also enable NBM to gradually implement the EU Capital Requirements Regulation and Directive (CRR/CRD).
February 29, 2016
Republic of Moldova: Financial Sector Assessment Program-Oversight and Supervision of Financial Market Infrastructures (FMIS) and Risk Assessment of Central Securities Depositories-Technical Note
Description: Moldova has a modern interbank payment system that lies at the heart of its financial markets. The Automated Interbank Payment System (AIPS) settled on average MDL 2 billion (US$ 214 million) per day, or 2.7 percent of GDP in 2013. It has real-time gross settlement features that help reduce systemic risks, settles large-value and time-critical payments, and is interdependent with two securities settlement systems. This includes the central bank’s Book-Entry System (BES) that handles government securities and central bank certificate settlements, and the National Securities Depository (NSD) that settles private sector securities trades. It largely met international standards in the FSAP Update of 2008. A self-assessment of the BES against the CPSS-IOSCO Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (PFMIs) has been completed in December 2013 by the NBM. The preliminary results suggest full observance with 11 principles and broad observance with three principles (Principle 1 on Legal Basis, Principle 22 on Communication Procedures and Standards). They are currently under the peer review process by the National Commission for Financial Markets (NCFM).
February 29, 2016
Argentina: Financial Sector Assessment Program-Financial Safety Nets- Technical Note
Description: This paper discusses the financial crisis management and crisis preparedness framework of Argentina. Although Argentina has a well-developed financial safety net that has provided timely support to stressed institutions, the system could be further strengthened. Although the Banco Central de la República de Argentina (BCRA) facilities have not been tested, they are well-designed to manage a major banking liquidity crisis. The BCRA should work with other supervisors to monitor potential risks outside its regulatory perimeter. The BCRA approach to supervision is risk-based and focuses on early supervisory action to address deficiencies, but the prompt correction framework could be enhanced.
February 29, 2016
Argentina: Financial System Stability Assessment
Description: This paper discusses the following issues related to the economy of Argentina: macro-financial performance and financial system overview, financial sector risks and resilience, financial safety nets, financial sector oversight framework, and financial sector development. Argentina’s financial system is very small compared to countries at a similar stage of development and it is mostly transactional. Building greater confidence in the macroeconomic outlook is essential to deepening financial markets. The banking system appears resilient to a wide range of shocks, reflecting banks’ large capital and liquidity buffers, as well as the strong quality of their assets. Continuing to improve the financial infrastructure would also help enhance access to finance.
February 29, 2016
Argentina: Economic Developments; January 25, 2013
Description: This paper discusses Argentina’s economic developments and policies in the past 10 years. Argentina was recovering rapidly from the deep economic crisis of 2002, and the authorities had adopted policies conducive to a rapid decline in unemployment and poverty, a gradual recovery of the banking system, and a strengthening of the external position. The global environment foreseen at the time of the 2006 Article IV consultation with Argentina did not anticipate two major events that, in hindsight, turned out to be critical for the performance of the global economy, and Argentina, in the following years: global financial crisis of late 2008 and the sharp and persistent increase in world commodity prices.
Notes: Also Available in Spanish
February 29, 2016
Argentina: Economic Developments; February 27, 2014
Description: This report presents IMF staff analysis based on publicly available information through end- January 2014. Following its 2002 financial crisis, Argentina experienced a strong economic recovery, helped by an expansionary policy stance, an undervalued exchange rate, high and rising international prices for its key exports (soy, corn), and lower debt service payments. However, in 2013, balance-of-payments pressures intensified amid continuing high inflation. Economic growth recovered in 2013, though weakened sharply in the second half of the year. Inflation remained high. Financial deepening increased somewhat and financial stability was preserved despite the high inflation and growing external imbalances. Fiscal policy in 2013 was more expansionary than in the previous year.
Notes: Also Available in Spanish
February 29, 2016
Argentina: Economic Developments; April 29, 2015
Description: This paper presents an overview of Argentina’s economic developments in the past 10 years. Argentina’s impressive growth over the past decade has been accompanied by the accumulation of a number of major vulnerabilities. Policy inconsistencies were exposed in early 2014 when mounting balance-of-payments pressures culminated in a sharp devaluation of the peso. Subsequent to the devaluation, domestic imbalances were exacerbated by a deteriorating external environment. At the same time, the dispute with holdout creditors continued to impede Argentina’s access to international capital markets. The combination of weak external demand, fast eroding competitiveness, and compromised access to international capital markets fueled balance of payments pressures in 2014.
Notes: Also Available in Spanish
February 29, 2016
Republic of Moldova: Financial System Stability Assessment
Description: Moldova has made some important advances since the 2008 FSAP Update. On the positive side, inflation has been brought down to single digits, the payment system has been upgraded, and important enhancements have been made to financial sector regulation and supervision. However, risks to banking sector stability have become severe. Large credit concentration and concealed connected lending, questionable cross-border exposures, and important data gaps mean that regulatory data likely significantly understate the system’s vulnerability. Non-transparent ownership, weak governance, connected lending and weaknesses in regulatory powers and enforcement further exacerbate these risks and could limit the scope for an effective policy response to shocks. Governance structures, internal oversight processes, and risk management practices are poorly developed. In some cases, cross-border exposures are substantial and the pattern of some (particularly cross-border) financial transactions suggest a serious risk of money laundering.
February 24, 2016
Albania: Fifth and Sixth Review under the Extended Arrangement and Request for Modification and Waiver of Applicability of Performance Criteria-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Albania
Description: Background: In February 2014, the Executive Board approved a three-year Extended Arrangement with access equivalent to SDR 295.42 million (492.4 percent of quota). So far, four purchases totaling the equivalent of SDR 123.1 million have been made, and another one equivalent to SDR 57.76 million will be made available upon completion of the fifth and sixth reviews. Recent Economic Developments: Economic recovery is underway, but growth remains below potential and inflationary pressures are limited. Nonperforming loans (NPLs) have started declining but are still high, and credit growth remains sluggish despite substantial monetary easing.