23-September-2010
English, , 346kb
The issue of financial innovation and consumer protection is mostly about access and suitability. Access refers to a situation in which affordable, mainstream financial products are available to all segments of the population across the range of income levels and demographic characteristics. Suitability addresses the appropriateness of the products for particular consumer groups. Innovative products will tend generally to be either
23-September-2010
English, , 342kb
This document reproduces the Report by the Chair of the Annual Meeting of the National Contact Points (NCP) which was held in June 2010. This report reviews NCP activities as well as other implementation activities undertaken by adhering governments over the June 2009 - June 2010 period.
10-September-2010
English, , 141kb
The various existing methods for calculating short-term borrowing requirements can result in distorted estimates. This article proposes a new method that yields economically meaningful results that can also be used to make cross-country comparisons.
10-September-2010
English, , 1,374kb
Current interest rates have been conducive to financial institutions assuming exposure to interest rate risks but, with interest rates expected to rise and yield curves likely to flatten, new challenges may be in store. This article draws attention to the increased risks and possible negative effects that the still-fragile banking sector could face in light of these developments.
10-September-2010
English, , 117kb
The first issue of the Statistical Yearbook on African Central Government Debt was published earlier this year. This article provides an overview of the publication which contains comprehensive and consistent information on African central government debt instruments. It includes both individual country data and comparative statistics to facilitate cross-country analysis.
10-September-2010
English, , 689kb
This article summarises discussions held at the 11th OECD-WBG-IMF Global Bond Market Forum where withdrawal of policy stimulus and sovereign risk were singled out as the two biggest concerns for investors. It addresses the continuing challenge of measuring sovereign risk, the need for more reliable indicators of sovereign risk to help make appropriate investment decisions and how difficult circumstances have forced sovereign issuers
6-September-2010
English
At the end of April 2010, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) published an exposure draft with proposed changes to International Accounting Standard No. 19 (IAS 19). If enacted, the changes to IAS 19 proposed by the IASB are expected to have a significant impact on company financials on a global basis.