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Business and Economics > Finance: General

You are looking at 1 - 10 of 947 items for :

  • Type: Journal Issue x
  • Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit: General x
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Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
India: Financial Sector Assessment Program-Financial System Stability Assessment
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
India’s financial system has withstood the pandemic well and has become more resilient since the 2017 FSAP. Nonbank financial institutions (NBFIs)—especially nonbank financial companies (NBFCs) providing credit with wholesale financing—and market financing have grown, making the financial system more diverse and interconnected. The role of the state has diminished, yet it remains significant, including in using the financial system to pursue social and public finance goals.
Keywords:
market financing; coverage ratio; NBFC liquidity stress test result; policy option; liquidity support; FSAP finding; Financial sector stability; Nonbank financial institutions; Credit; Mutual funds; Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT); Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Thailand: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Thailand
International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
Thailand’s cyclical recovery is underway, though it has yet to become broad-based. Growth is projected to accelerate moderately, reaching 2.7 percent in 2024 and 2.9 percent in 2025, supported by the rebound of tourism-related activities and fiscal stimulus. The slow recovery, weaker than in ASEAN peers, is rooted in Thailand’s longstanding structural weaknesses and emerging headwinds that also contribute to a muted inflation trajectory. Significant uncertainty in the external environment and downside risks cloud the outlook.
Keywords:
inflation expectation; inflationtargeting monetary policy framework; supply and use tables; monetary policy analysis; Thai baht; Trade balance; Inflation; Credit; Global
Cover High-Level Summary Technical Assistance Reports
Namibia: Retail Central Bank Digital Currency Exploration and Roadmap
Tansaya Kunaratskul
,
Qiuyun Shang
,
Anrich Denver Daseman
,
Frankosiligi Solomon
,
Victor Budau
,
Maria Fernanda Chacon Rey
, and
Carl-Andreas Claussen
At the request of the Bank of Namibia (BoN), an IMF mission team conducted a technical assistance (TA) from January 15 to February 1, 2024. The mission assisted the authorities in establishing the groundwork for a feasibility study of a retail central bank digital currency (rCBDC) and drafting a roadmap for the BoN's CBDC exploration. The mission also reviewed requirements for rCBDC issuance, including institutional capacity, technology, cybersecurity, and legal foundations. The mission recommended the BoN assess how rCBDC can improve the payment systems and financial inclusion in Namibia compared to alternative solutions. The authorities are advised to establish a compelling rationale for rCBDC before embarking on a more resource-intensive undertaking. The mission suggested that the BoN continue developing expertise and capacity in rCBDC across policy, technology, and legal domains, including through continued engagement with stakeholders.
Keywords:
Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC); Digital Money; Payment Systems; Financial Inclusion; IMF mission team; CBDC exploration; request of the Bank of Namibia; capacity development recipient; exploration roadmap; Central Bank digital currencies; Sub-Saharan Africa
Cover FinTech Notes
Tokenization and Financial Market Inefficiencies
Itai Agur
,
German Villegas Bauer
,
Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli
,
Maria Soledad Martinez Peria
, and
Brandon Tan
Most financial assets are digital today. Tomorrow, they may be tokenized. Tokenization implies recording and transferring assets on a widely shared and trusted digital ledger that can be programmed. Interest in tokenization is strong and experiments abound, but what are the consequences of this new trend for financial markets? This note introduces a taxonomy and a conceptual framework centered on market inefficiencies to evaluate this question. Some inefficiencies could decline across the asset life cycle. Others would remain, however, and new ones could emerge. Issuing, servicing, and redeeming assets might involve fewer intermediaries and thus become cheaper. The costs of trading assets may also decrease as tokenization lowers some counterparty risks and search frictions and offers flexibility in settlement. Additionally, greater competition among brokers could lower transaction fees. However, tokenization may amplify shocks if it induces institutions to become more interconnected and hold lower liquidity buffers or higher leverage, potentially jeopardizing financial stability. Programs themselves may introduce new risks related to strings of contingent contracts or faulty code. While competition may grow among financial intermediaries, the provision of market infrastructure could become more concentrated due to network effects.
Keywords:
Tokenization; central banks; asset lifecycle; financial markets; financial asset market friction; B. market infrastructure investment externality; financial market inefficiency; IMF Library; Note 2025/001; D. knowledge externality; Bonds; Smart contracts; Securities markets; Liquidity; Blockchain and DLT; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Cambodia: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Cambodia
International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
The 2024 Article IV Consultation highlights that Cambodia’s economy has continued to recover, albeit at a modest pace. The sharp slowdown in credit growth has exposed the economy to increased financial sector vulnerabilities. Policy formulation must ensure a durable and inclusive recovery in the near term and achieving development goals over the medium term. Real gross domestic product growth is projected at 5 3/4 percent in 2025, up from 5 1/2 percent in 2024, supported by the continued recovery in exports and tourism. The neutral stance is appropriate in the near term, while a gradual and high-quality consolidation to build buffers is critical over the medium term. Monetary policy needs to resume normalization at a calibrated pace, with a focus on ensuring financial stability and supporting de-dollarization. Structural reforms need to focus on diversifying growth drivers. Strengthening governance frameworks to improve transparency and enhancing the institutional capacity to address data limitations will lend support to structural transformation.
Keywords:
IMF-World Bank FSAP mission; introduced Medium Term Fiscal Framework; authorities' plan; broad money; credit supply; IMF's article; Financial sector stability; Government finance statistics; Global; Middle East
Cover Policy Papers
Considerations for the Comprehensive Review of Access Limits
International Monetary Fund. Strategy, Policy, & Review Department
,
International Monetary Fund. Finance Dept.
, and
International Monetary Fund. Legal Dept.
This paper provides background for an informal discussion to engage with Executive Directors, held on November 26, 2024, on the Comprehensive Review of GRA Access Limits. The General Resources Account (GRA) access limits are part of the Fund’s risk management framework. They help maintain a balance between the need to: (i) ensure that members have confidence in the availability of Fund financing; and (ii) preserve liquidity and the revolving nature of the Fund’s resources.
Keywords:
risk management framework; GRA lending commitment; transparency policy; managing transition; enterprise risk consideration; risk tolerance; financing needs; Credit; Liquidity; Credit risk; COVID-19; Global
Cover Departmental Papers
Corporate Sector Vulnerabilities and High Levels of Interest Rates
Bruno Albuquerque
,
Nassira Abbas
,
José M. Garrido
,
Deepali Gautam
,
Benjamin Mosk
,
Thomas Piontek
,
Anjum Rosha
,
Thierry Tressel
, and
Aki Yokoyama
This paper provides a comprehensive overview of corporate sector vulnerabilities that have emerged post-pandemic. The main focus in on the financial stability implications from corporate sector vulnerabilities in a new environment of high interest rates. Although several central banks have recently started cutting interest rates, the expectation is that high interest rates, above pre-pandemic levels, are here to stay. It is then especially important to design and deploy appropriate policies that may prevent and mitigate risks from the corporate sector. The main findings of the paper are as follows. First, the paper finds that interest rate increases may transmit more strongly to the real economy in the current environment since the global share of financially distressed firms has been trending upwards, especially in emerging markets (EMs). Moreover, the lagged effects of past monetary policy tightening may have adverse effects on firms’ capacity to invest. Second, an adverse macroeconomic scenario of negative demand shocks coupled with higher interest rates would lead to a fast and large increase in corporate defaults. Financial stability risks would increase materially, especially for EMs and less-developed banking systems, as bank capital buffers would fall considerably in this scenario. Third, the increasing role of nonbanks in corporate credit intermediation in advanced economies may amplify overall financial stability risks. This paper closes some of the data gaps and shows that since the GFC, nonbanks have been increasing their exposure to riskier firms and to the less productive segment of the economy, including zombie firms and nontradable firms. The migration of credit to the unregulated sector raises concerns about the propagation of risks to the rest of the financial system from a potential corporate default cycle. It is paramount to continue closing data gaps in this sector, while extending the regulatory perimeter to nonbanks to improve the overall resilience of the financial sector. Finally, the paper documents some progress on insolvency and restructuring regimes to deal with corporate distress since the pandemic. Nevertheless, several shortcomings persist that prevent countries from resolving firms quickly in a potential scenario of an intensification of corporate distress.
Keywords:
corporate vulnerabilities; insolvency frameworks; financial stability; monetary policy; nonbanks; corporate stress tests; crisis preparedness indicator; monetary policy shock; IMF Library; nonbank financials; differential effect; nonfinancial corporates default probability; Corporate sector; Solvency; Credit; Business enterprises; COVID-19; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Republic of Tajikistan: First Review Under the Policy Coordination Instrument and Request for Modification of a Quantitative Target and a Reform Target-Press Release and Staff Report
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
This paper discusses Republic of Tajikistan’s First Review under the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) and Request for Modification of a Quantitative Target and a Reform Target. The PCI aims to anchor macroeconomic policies and support structural reform implementation to maintain macro-financial stability and foster more sustainable and inclusive growth. The fiscal deficit is projected to remain within the long-term anchor of 2.5 percent of gross domestic product, ensuring a continued decline in public debt. Policies should aim to strengthen resilience against external shocks and address structural constraints to attaining more sustainable and inclusive growth. Improving revenue mobilization and spending efficiency is critical to increasing space for development priorities. Monetary policy should remain vigilant and manage liquidity proactively in the context of large foreign exchange inflows and strong credit growth, with the exchange rate playing a greater role as a shock absorber. Pressing ahead with broad-based state-owned enterprise reforms is critical to mitigate fiscal risks and create space for private sector led growth.
Keywords:
NBT regulation; asset declaration regime; procurement authorities; NBT Law; government approval; Government debt management; Fiscal risks; Monetary base; Global; Central Asia
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Paraguay: Fourth Review Under the Policy Coordination Instrument, Request for Modification of Targets, Second Review Under the Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, and Request for Rephasing Access-Press Release; and Staff Report
International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
This paper focuses on Paraguay’s Fourth Review under the Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI), Request for Modification of Targets, Second Review under the Arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), and Request for Rephasing Access. Buoyant activity continues, reflecting high consumer confidence and expanding services and manufacturing sectors. Going forward, it would be essential to maintaining fiscal sustainability and continue with the structural reform efforts. The program performance under the PCI has been solid, underpinned by actions to preserve macroeconomic stability to enhance the country’s economic growth prospects. Progress on the climate agenda under the RSF remains strong, bolstering Paraguay's resilience to climate shocks. Stabilizing the finances of the public pension system should remain a priority. Monetary policy should continue to be guided by data when contemplating further easing. The structural reform implementation should be accelerated in promoting growth and inclusiveness specifically through reforms in labor markets, addressing a high level of informality, and improving governance and addressing corruption.
Keywords:
RSF program implementation; Sustainability facility update; E. World Bank engagement; government expenditure efficiency; RSF Reviews; Resilience and Sustainability Facility update; Credit; Basel Core Principles; Global; South America
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Islamic Republic of Mauritania: Selected Issues
International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
This Selected Issues paper analyzes key trends in the country’s existing financial sector and finds that while the Mauritanian banking sector is highly profitable, it fails to facilitate broader financial services and access, resulting in limited contribution to economic growth and inclusion. It also identifies the prevalence of family-owned banks, lack of trust, weak governance, and insufficient institutions as the major factors leading to these macro-level outcomes and discusses policies to address them and enhance financial sector development and boost inclusion. From a financial sector development perspective, Mauritania would be better off with a consolidated banking sector with stronger, more resilient institutions. Fewer universal banks with robust provisioning frameworks are better equipped to manage credit risks, thereby increasing their capacity to lend to a broader range of private-sector actors. From the institutional perspective, existing financial infrastructure institutions need to be strengthened and new ones need to be established. Forceful banking supervision with strong information systems can effectively monitor and mitigate connected lending practices among many family-owned banks.
Keywords:
bank Private-Sector; Efficiency-Access and Depth Gap; banks' provision; intermediation proxy; credit to GDP; Financial sector development; Financial sector; Credit; Financial inclusion; North Africa