Country Reports
2013
May 28, 2013
Nigeria: Financial Sector Stability Assessment
Description: This Financial Sector Stability Assessment on Nigeria discusses the macroeconomic performance and structure of the financial system. Although Nigerian economy experienced both domestic and external shocks in recent years, the economy continued to grow rapidly, achieving more than 7 percent growth each year since 2009. The performance of financial institutions has begun to improve, though some of the emergency anti-crisis measures continue to be in place. However, the regulatory and supervisory framework has gaps and weaknesses. In sum, the Nigerian economy has emerged from the banking crisis, and has the potential to enjoy an extended period of strong economic growth.
May 24, 2013
Belgium: Detailed Assessment of Observance of Insurance Core Principles
Description: The Belgian insurance industry was adversely affected by the global financial crisis and continued to confront challenges related to legacy assets and economic uncertainties in Europe. The Belgian authorities have made significant progress in updating the insurance regulatory regime and supervisory practice. The updated regulatory framework has a high level of observance with the Insurance Core Principles (ICPs), supported by robust prudential supervision. The authorities are advised to review current conduct-of-business (CoB) regulation and supervision to strengthen the protection for policyholders.
May 24, 2013
Belgium: Detailed Assessment of Compliance with the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision
Description: The Belgian financial system is relatively large, concentrated, and interconnected and has a high level of compliance with the Basel Core Principles (BCPs) for effective banking supervision. The National Bank of Belgium (NBB) deploys high-quality supervisory practices and has clear lines of accountability, transparency, and separate funding when acting in its supervisory capacity. The Belgian authorities have established a Resolution Fund (RF) vesting it with powers to take preventative measures and to facilitate resolution procedures.
May 24, 2013
Belgium: Technical Note on Stress Testing the Banking and Insurance Sectors
Description: The Belgium Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) stress testing exercise examines a financial sector that remains in a state of transformation. Domestic economic challenges remain sources of continued uncertainty as the banking sector consolidates and reduces funding risks. Insurers face challenges from adverse economic and business conditions. Solvency and funding shocks under different macroeconomic scenarios were assessed. Both banking and insurance tests underscore the importance of sovereign risk for financial stability. The implementation of stress tests needs to be closely aligned with the resolution and recovery planning.
May 24, 2013
Belgium: Technical Note on Crisis Management and Bank Resolution Framework
Description: The ability of the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) to provide emergency liquidity assistance to solvent but temporarily illiquid firms is well tested and satisfactory. Belgian authorities are testing draft guidelines for recovery plans through pilot projects with selected firms that are of systemic importance. Introducing recurrent crisis management simulations would allow the authorities to test the coordination arrangements and potential application of the crisis management toolkit. It is commended that the NBB can enhance the framework for orderly and effective resolution.
May 24, 2013
Belgium: Technical Note on Securities Markets Regulation and Supervision
Description: The Belgian securities market and financial services markets have remained subdued since the crisis, and significant changes have taken place in regulatory architecture in response. The execution requires both the resources and the same strong focus on driving key outcomes. Concerns also remain about the risk of regulatory arbitrage arising from differences in regulatory and supervisory approaches between the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) and the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA). Efforts to solidify cooperation and integration of work between the NBB and the FSMA should continue along with investor education work.
May 24, 2013
Belgium: Technical Note on Financial Conglomerate Supervision
Description: Belgian financial conglomerates (FCs) remained important players in the Belgian financial sector, despite significant restructuring following the global financial crisis. FCs operated in multiple streams of the financial sector, especially in banking and insurance. Owing to their economic reach and use of regulated and unregulated entities across sectoral boundaries, FCs presented a challenge for sector-specific supervisory oversight. The Executive Board suggested a pragmatic supervisory approach, which needs to be streamlined and applied more uniformly to contain FC-specific risks.
May 23, 2013
Jordan: First Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement, Request for Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria, Modification of Performance Criteria, and Rephasing of Access—Staff Report; Press Release on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for Jordan
Description: Fiscal consolidation, additional reserve buildup, and higher growth are key program objectives for the Jordanian authorities. Despite the socially difficult elimination of the fuel subsidy, program performance was mixed. Initiatives to strengthen banking supervision and develop capital markets are important. The program addresses economic imbalances and safeguards social stability. Executive Directors are satisfied with the action taken to rebuild reserves through an increase in interest rates and by attracting donor funds, as well as domestic dollar-denominated financing. The government is committed to working on steps to boost revenue.
May 22, 2013
Kingdom of Lesotho: Fifth Review Under the Three-Year Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility and Request for Extension of the Arrangement and Rephasing of Disbursement
Description: The Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program extended to Lesotho after a sharp fall in revenues remained broadly on track. Lesotho maintained positive growth supported by expansion of mining and construction. Fiscal consolidation efforts have helped to strengthen international reserves, despite weak diamond prices. Executive Directors welcomed the government’s continued efforts to improve the business climate and promote private sector development. They also suggested the need to maintain fiscal consolidation efforts, while safeguarding priority social and growth-promoting capital spending.
May 22, 2013
El Salvador: Staff Report for the 2013 Article IV Consultation
Description: In recent years, the IMF has released a growing number of reports and other documents covering economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with government officials, is published at the option of the member country.
Notes: Also Available in Spanish