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Business and Economics > Banks and Banking

You are looking at 1 - 10 of 16 items for :

  • Type: Journal Issue x
  • Marshall Islands, Republic of the x
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Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic of the Marshall Islands: Selected Issues
International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
This Selected Issues paper discusses correspondent banking relationships (CBRs) pressures on the Republic of the Marshall Island (RMI). RMI’s two banks currently have access to the US financial system. The Bank of the Marshall Islands is a domestic financial institution providing banking services to a substantial portion of the population and operates five branches throughout RMI, including on the Kwajalein Atoll. RMI, through the Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, provides offshore corporate and maritime registry services. Weak implementation of the anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework by the authorities contributes to CBR pressures in RMI. The termination of BOMI’s CBR with First Hawaiian Bank would be expected to have significant negative economic repercussions without alternative arrangements. The RMI authorities are strengthening the effectiveness of the AML/CFT framework. Additional steps should be taken to further lower the risk of losing the last US dollar CBR. Once the national risk assessment is completed, an action plan should be developed to address the identified risks.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; RMI authorities; RMI authority; SOV issuance; CFT measure; SOV supply; SOV volatility; RMI exchange; BNP Paribas; due diligence; RMI registry; RMI parliament; RMI resident; SOV unit; dollarized economy; Virtual currencies; Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); Currencies; Correspondent banking; Blockchain and DLT; Global
Cover IMF Working Papers
Challenges in Correspondent Banking in the Small States of the Pacific
Jihad Alwazir
,
Mr. Fazurin Jamaludin
,
Dongyeol Lee
,
Niamh Sheridan
, and
Ms. Patrizia Tumbarello
Access to financial services in the small states of the Pacific is being eroded. Weaknesses in Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism compliance in the context of high levels of remittances are contributing to banks’ decisions to withdraw corresponding banking relationships and close bank accounts of money transfer operators. In this paper, we gather evidence on these developments in the small states of the Pacific, discuss the main drivers, and the potentially negative impact on the financial sector and macroeconomy. We then identify the collective efforts needed to address the consequences of withdrawal of corresponding banking relationships and outline policy measures to help the affected countries mitigate the impact.
Keywords:
WP; remittance sector; respondent bank; average cost; bank Pacific; central bank; Pacific islands; small states; correspondent banking; remittances; AML/CFT; digital economy; bank South Pacific; Marshall Island bank; small states of the Pacific; due diligence; money transfer operators; MTO bank accounts; KYC remittance recipient; Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); Fiscal accounting and reporting; Money laundering; Global; Australia and New Zealand; Asia and Pacific
Cover Resilience and Growth in the Small States of the Pacific
Resilience and Growth in the Small States of the Pacific
Hoe Ee Khor
,
Mr. Roger P. Kronenberg
, and
Ms. Patrizia Tumbarello

Abstract

Pacific island countries face unique challenges to realizing their growth potential and raising living standards. This book discusses ongoing challenges facing Pacific island countries and policy options to address them. Regional cooperation and solutions tailored to their unique challenges, as well as further integration with the Asia and Pacific region will each play a role. With concerted efforts, Pacific island countries can boost potential growth, increase resilience, and improve the welfare of their citizens.

Keywords:
BOOK; GDP; GDP-weighted distance; financial crisis; market share; U.S. dollar; lending rate; real GDP; Natural disasters; Inflation; Income; Pacific Islands; Global; Asia and Pacific; Australia and New Zealand; Caribbean; IMF staff estimate; IMF staff calculation; business climate shortcoming; Climate change
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic of the Marshall Islands: 2016 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Republic of the Marshall Islands
International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
This 2016 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economy of the Marshall Islands is estimated to have expanded by about 0.5 percent in FY2015 (ending September 30), as the fishery sector recovered. Following a moderate inflation of 1.1 percent in FY2014, headline inflation dropped to –2.2 percent in FY2015 amid falling oil and utility prices. The fiscal balance is estimated to have recorded a surplus of about 3 percent of GDP in FY2014–15, owing to record-high fishing license fees. Growth is expected to rise to about 1.5 percent and inflation to about 0.5 percent in FY2016, as the effects of the drought in earlier 2016 are offset by the resumption of infrastructure projects.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; RMI authorities; authority; debt; authorities in the Republic of Marshall Islands; RMI's State-owned Enterprises; headline inflation; island state; Climate change; Fiscal stance; Public and publicly-guaranteed external debt; Pacific Islands; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic of the Marshall Islands: Staff Report for the 2013 Article IV Consultation
International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
This Informational Annex highlights the Marshall Islands’ existing tax system’s inability to raise additional revenue, discouragement of private investment, and inequitability. Careful consideration needs to be given to the potential of a comprehensive tax reform program, including strengthening tax administration, for raising additional revenue while supporting the private sector. Many state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are a drain on public finances, and their unreliable or costly services undermine private sector development. To improve their performance, reforms are needed to strengthen efficiency, better delineate commercial and noncommercial services, and introduce tariff systems that better reflect cost of services. In areas where SOEs provide purely commercial services, divestment should be considered.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; RMI authorities; debt; authority; deficit; private sector; SOE reform bill; private sector development; government involvement; Medium-term growth prospect; Public and publicly-guaranteed external debt; Fiscal stance; Global; Pacific Islands
Cover IMF Working Papers
Are the Asia and Pacific Small States Different from Other Small States?
Ms. Patrizia Tumbarello
,
Ezequiel Cabezon
, and
Mr. Yiqun Wu
The small states of the Asia and Pacific region face unique challenges in raising their growth potential and living standards relative to other small states due to their small populations, geographical isolation and dispersion, narrow export and production bases, exposure to shocks, and heavy reliance on aid. Higher fixed government costs, low access to credit by the private sector, and capacity constraints are also key challenges. The econometric analysis confirms that the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) have underperformed relative to their peers over the last 20 years. Although these countries often face more limited policy tools, policies do matter and can further help build resilience and raise potential growth, as evidenced in the recent business cycle. The Asia and Pacific small states should continue rebuilding buffers and improve the composition of public spending in order to foster inclusive growth. Regional solutions should also continue to be pursued.
Keywords:
WP; IMF staff calculation; micro state; country authorities; real GDP; Asia and Pacific; small states; micro states; Pacific islands; growth; volatility; Asia-Pacific small state government; ECCU country; effective purchasing power; Pacific region; small states-Asia; country information; Income; Terms of trade; Government consumption; Climate change
Cover Policy Papers
Asia and Pacific Small States - Raising Potential Growth and Enhancing Resilience to Shocks
International Monetary Fund
The small states of the Asia and Pacific region face unique challenges in raising their growth potential and living standards. These countries are particularly vulnerable because of their small populations, geographical isolation and dispersion, narrow export and production bases, lack of economies of scale, limited access to international capital markets, exposure to shocks (including climate change), and heavy reliance on aid. In providing public services, they face higher fixed government costs relative to other states because public services must be provided regardless of their small population size. Low access to credit by the private sector is an impediment to inclusive growth. Capacity constraints are another key challenge. The small states also face more limited policy tools. Five out of 13 countries do not have a central bank and the scope for diversifying their economies is narrow. Given their large development needs, fiscal policies have been, at times, pro-cyclical. Within the Asia-Pacific small states group, the micro states are subject to more vulnerability and macroeconomic volatility than the rest of the Asia-Pacific small states.
Keywords:
PP; IMF staff calculation; Pacific small states; country authorities; real GDP; Pacific region; terms of trade; Asia-Pacific small state government; private sector; Income; Terms of trade; Inclusive growth; Asia and Pacific; Pacific Islands
Cover IMF Working Papers
Global and Regional Spillovers to Pacific Island Countries
Mr. Yiqun Wu
,
Ms. Patrizia Tumbarello
, and
Niamh Sheridan
Regional integration of Pacific Island countries (PICs) with Australia, New Zealand, and emerging Asia has increased over the last two decades. PICs have become more exposed to the region’s business cycles, and spillovers from regional economies are more important for PICs than from advanced economies outside the region. While strong linkages with Asia would help in the event of a global downturn, PICs remain particularly vulnerable to global commodity price shocks. In this paper, we use a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) for each PIC to gauge the impact of global and regional growth spillovers. The analysis reveals that the impact on PICs’ growth from an adverse oil shock would be substantial, and in some cases even larger than from a negative global demand shock. We also assess the spillovers to the financial sector from the deterioration of the global outlook. PICs should continue to rebuild policy buffers and implement growth-oriented structural reforms to ensure sustained and inclusive growth.
Keywords:
WP; Pacific island country; IMF staff calculation; commodity; commodity importer; Pacific islands; spillover; downside scenarios; commodity prices; commodity exporter; commodity price; business cycle; PIC importer; Extra-budgetary funds; Spillovers; Remittances; Commercial banks; Global; Australia and New Zealand
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic of the Marshall Islands: 2009 Article IV Consultation: Staff Report; a Public Information Notice; and a Statement by the Executive Director of the Republic of Marshall islands on the Executive Board Discussion.
International Monetary Fund
This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the economy of the Marshall Islands is on a path to recovery. A gradual expansion with growth reaching 0.5 percent in 2010 is supported by further growth in the fish processing industry and additional foreign grant assistance. Rising prices could stoke inflation and stifle domestic demand. Executive Directors have encouraged the authorities to continue to strengthen the statistical base, especially the coverage and timeliness of fiscal and balance of payments data, in order to improve policy analysis and decision-making.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; government; RMI authorities; policy; economy; PFTAC advisor; IMF staff estimate; policy dialogue; rising prices; private sector growth; prime objective; Income; Extra-budgetary funds; Global; Pacific Islands
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic of the Marshall Islands: 2008 Article IV Consultation: Staff Report; and Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion
International Monetary Fund
The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), scattered across an area of nearly 1 million square miles in the Central Pacific, is heavily dependent on external grants. As in past consultations, the current discussions have focused on policies to put public finances on a secure footing and improve growth prospects. Recent economic performance has been lackluster. Exports have been held back mainly by structural problems. The fiscal position has improved in FY2006, but the overall balance has been slightly negative at about ½ percent of GDP.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; PFTAC Advisor; authority; RMI country statistics generation; RMI government; RMI authorities; IMF staff estimate; economic statistics; Extra-budgetary funds; Structural reforms; Fiscal consolidation; Current account; Pacific Islands; Global