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This paper discusses key findings of the Financial System Stability Assessment on Switzerland. Stress tests indicate that the Swiss banks are robust against even severe shocks. Banks have increased their capital, and the two global banks have achieved substantial deleveraging. Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority has focused on significantly improving the quality of its supervision. Real estate bubbles appear to be emerging. With monetary instruments not available, macroprudential instruments are being introduced, but so far are limited and untested. Interest rates are negative at some maturities, threatening the business models of life insurance and pension companies.

This paper presents an assessment IMF report on implementation of the International Organization of Securities Commission (IOSCO) principles in Canada. It highlights that developing an integrated and robust view of risks to support supervisory actions remains a key challenge. The IMF report suggests that the securities regulators should continue to take steps to ensure timely decision making in policy formulation. However, the current governance arrangements, based on a consensus building approach across several entities, is expected to affect timeliness of decision making.

This Selected Issues paper analyzes economic growth in Iran. It uses a growth-accounting exercise to quantify the historical sources of growth over 1960–2002, including human capital accumulation and the contribution of Total Factor Productivity to growth. The paper presents an empirical study to quantify the role of several other contributing factors commonly discussed in the cross-country growth literature, including macroeconomic stability, financial development, trade openness, and the change in the terms of trade. The paper also examines issues in medium-term management of oil wealth in Iran.

This paper discusses findings of the Report on Observance of Standards and Codes on Singapore. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) shows a very high level of compliance with the Basel Core Principles and demonstrates a strong commitment by MAS to their implementation. As a large financial center, MAS is well aware of the risks posed by a financial system that is significantly larger than the economy of Singapore, and comprised primarily of branches of foreign institutions operating in non-Singapore dollars. MAS has also set a high standard for approving foreign entrants, applying the same prudential framework to foreign branches as to its own locally incorporated banks.

This paper discusses key findings of the Detailed Assessment of Observance of the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems–International Organization of Securities Commissions Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures(FMIs) in Singapore. Singapore has a well-developed payment, clearing, and settlement infrastructure, which includes two central counterparties for financial products. The infrastructure includes a large value payment system operated by the central bank and securities and derivatives clearing and settlement systems operated by the Singapore Exchange Limited. The FMIs in Singapore are subject to effective regulation, supervision, and oversight of the Monetary Authority Singapore (MAS). The legal framework provides the MAS with sufficient powers to obtain timely information and induce change.

This paper discusses the findings of the Detailed Assessment of Implementation on the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Objectives and Principles of Securities Regulation on Singapore. Overall compliance with IOSCO principles is generally high, although the assessors identified some vulnerabilities that need to be resolved. The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) enforcement philosophy as regards securities markets and the financial intermediaries active therein is cogent, with outcomes focused and well developed. The Securities and Futures Act (Cap. 289) provides an effective framework to enable the sharing of information and cooperation between MAS and foreign regulators on supervisory and enforcement matters.

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.

In this paper, we explore how competition among stock exchanges, operated as self-regulatory organizations (SROs), affects the design of their members' surveillance. We develop a model where two for-profit SROs compete for trading volume, while brokers execute transactions on behalf of the investors and may misreport the true cash flow. The SROs can deter a fraud by announcing an investigation and imposing a monetary penalty.The success of the investigation depends upon both the amount of resources devoted to monitoring and the efficiency of monitoring technologies. We show that when contracts are incomplete and investors do not have perfect information about the monitoring efficiency, competition among exchanges induces a race to the bottom in enforcement policy and a reduction in total welfare, compared to the case of a monopolist SRO.

This paper discusses key findings of the Detailed Assessment of LCH.Clearnet SA Observance of the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems/International Organization of Securities Commission (CPSS–IOSCO) Recommendations for Central Counterparties. The findings reveal that LCH.Clearnet SA displays a high level of observance of the CPSS/IOSCO recommendations. It has a sound, coherent, and transparent legal basis. It has developed an adequate risk-management framework to address financial and operational risks. LCH.Clearnet SA governance arrangements and composition of Boards and management are well defined and adequately staffed.

This report analyzes the functioning of the legal and regulatory framework for the securities market in Japan. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) enjoyed specific powers with respect to the various security laws and regulations laid down by the International Organization of Securities Commission (IOSCO). The FSA has been authorized to bring about certain changes, to implement new principles, and to develop new frameworks to ensure and strengthen the smooth functioning of supervision and investigation. It is also necessary to identify and assess risks to determine FSA intervention.

The Australian legal and regulatory framework for securities markets exhibits a high level of compliance with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Principles. A few remaining concerns need to be resolved, including some identified in the 2006 assessment. Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) operational independence and sufficiency of resources are overarching concerns which impair its ability to discharge its supervisory functions adequately and effectively across the entire regulated population.

Saudi Arabia’s Report on Standards and Codes has been examined. The Capital Market Authority (CMA) has made significant progress in establishing its supervision credentials, including issuing implementing regulations. The CMA approach to supervision is both risk-based and compliance-focused, and the cost of compliance needs to be a more central focus when establishing mandatory obligations. The CMA has general and broad powers for inspection and investigation, and it conducts full electronic surveillance of the market. The CMA has the authority to investigate potential violations and to bring enforcement action seeking civil and criminal penalties.

The financial sector of the Maldives, although small and not developed, is susceptible to both money laundering and, to a lesser extent, terrorist financing. This report focuses on observance of standards and codes for the FATF-40 (Financial Action Task Force) recommendations for antimoney laundering (AML) and nine special recommendations on combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) in the Maldives. It provides a summary of the AML/CFT measures in place in the Maldives and contains recommendations on how the AML/CFT system could be strengthened.

This paper is a detailed assessment of NOMX DM, undertaken in the context of the IMF Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) Update for Sweden in 2011. NOMX DM, the only Central Counter-parties (CCP) in Sweden, has provided clearing services for equity, fixed income derivatives, and repo transactions since 2010. Even though NOMX DM has a comprehensive risk management framework, relevant points were brought up in the assessment related to governance and risk management. Swedish authorities have taken necessary measures to improve the system.

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.

The Netherlands Authority for Financial Markets (AFM) has developed a robust supervisory framework, which exhibits high levels of implementation of the International Organization of Securities Commissions Principles. The AFM’s efforts are complemented by The NetherlandsCentral bank's (DNB) program of prudential supervision, which is reasonable and credible. Gaps in the legal framework for issuers, and on management of collective investment schemes, in the case of the DNB, have imposed limitations. Their ability to react in a swift manner to emerging risks in the financial sector is limited.

In a previous assessment, it was concluded that the British Virgin Islands (BVI) regulatory system governing securities markets functioned well overall, but required improvement in certain areas. Those areas are implemented with regulatory code, Securities and Investment Business Act (SIBA), related regulations, and the public funds code. The standards and eligibility of those who wish to manage or administer a mutual fund are determined by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) under the authority granted by statute. A mutual fund can be organized as a corporation, unit trust, or partnership.

The study shows that the global financial crisis has adversely affected Kuwait’s financial system, especially in the Investment Company (IC) sector. Stress tests indicate that, in contrast to the ICs, the banking system could broadly withstand significant shocks. The Central Bank of Kuwait's (CBK) well-designed framework for banks has proven effective in shielding the banking sector from the crisis. It shows that the enactment of the capital market law is an important step toward the creation of Certified Management Accountant (CMA). The study shows that a powerful regulatory regime is needed for the insurance sector.

South Africa has made substantial progress in addressing the recommendations of the Financial Sector Assessment Program and is continuing to build upon these accomplishments. The Financial Services Board and Department of Trade and Industry both are organizations with the legal authority to regulate and supervise these steps. The South African system of financial services regulation is complex, involving multiple government agencies, several advisory or oversight committees, and several self-regulatory organizations. While all areas of responsibility appear to be covered, there may be gaps in the implementation of duties.

This paper discusses key findings of the Detailed Assessment of Observance of the National Securities Clearing Corporation’s (NSCC) Observance of the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems/International Organization of Securities Commissions (CPSS–IOSCO) Recommendations for Central Counterparties (CCP) for the United States. The assessment recommends that a CCP should have a well-founded, clear, and transparent legal basis in the relevant jurisdictions. A CCP should require participants to have sufficient financial resources and robust operational capacity to meet obligations arising from participation in the CCP.

This technical note focuses on fixed income markets for Thailand. The note recommends that Thailand should begin an orderly transition from merit-based regulation of corporate issuers and institutional investors to a disclosure-based regulatory system that opens the debt market to a larger and more diverse pool of corporations. A series of regulatory changes should be considered, including removing the limitations on below investment grade debt offerings, expanding the size of private placement offerings, and reducing the regulatory burdens on issuers of short-term commercial paper.

The staff report on Canada’s 2009 Article IV Consultation examines economic developments and policies. Canadian banks have weathered the crisis better than major-country peers, but the credit cycle will be challenging, particularly given high household debt. Financial instability is a tail risk, but heightened vigilance is warranted. The Bank of Canada has appropriately loosened monetary policy, bringing the policy rate target to a record-low ½ percent. Macroeconomic policies have adopted an expansionary tilt, and authorities have taken steps to safeguard financial stability.

This paper discusses findings of the assessment of Financial Sector Supervision and Regulation on the Cayman Islands. The assessment reveals that substantial progress has been made in the implementation of the 2003 Offshore Financial Center assessment recommendations, including, importantly, regarding Cayman Islands Monetary Authority’s independence and resources. There is scope for enhancing regulatory reporting and disclosure requirements by financial entities, such as shortening the period for filing required documents and requiring all insurers to disclose their use of derivatives and similar commitments regularly.

This technical note presents factual update of International Organization of Securities Commissions Core Principles of Securities Regulation for Cyprus. There is provision in the law allowing for the sharing of information and cooperation with both domestic and foreign regulators. The Cyprus law transposing the European Union Prospectus and Transparency Directives, together with the company law and stock exchange law, provide accurate and timely disclosure of financial results and adequate safeguards in the fair and equitable treatment of shareholders.

This paper presents key findings of the detailed assessment on the implementation of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) objectives and principles of securities regulation for Thailand. The assessment recommends creating a formal coordination mechanism among governmental agencies with regulatory authority over capital markets. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should amend its code of conduct and provide that restrictions on securities investments by its staff also applies to spouses, minor children, and all other accounts over which an employee has the authority to make investment decisions.

The regulatory framework for the securities market of Canada exhibits high levels of implementation of the International Organization of Securities Commissions’ (IOSCO) Principles. The regulatory framework for most of the areas covered by securities regulation is robust. The general preconditions necessary for the effective regulation of securities markets appear to be in place in Canada. Nevertheless, there are gaps in the regulation and supervision of collective investment schemes (CIS), and enforcement is in need of further improvement, in terms of efficient use of resources.

This Technical Note reviews the International Organization of Securities Commissions’s (IOSCO) Objectives and Principles of Securities Regulation for Monaco. It reveals that overall, there has been progress in implementing the Offshore Financial Center assessment recommendations in most areas of securities regulation, but more needs to be done on key topics. In granting a license to conduct investment activities, the Commission de Contrôle des Activités Financières (Financial Activity Supervisory Commission) considers the professional qualifications of individuals, the company’s systems and controls, and its sources of capital.

This 2008 Article IV Consultation highlights that problems in the housing and financial markets over the past year have combined to slow the United States’ economy substantially. As the residential investment downturn accelerated and national indices of housing prices started falling, mortgage defaults rose sharply, and bank losses mounted. Policymakers have responded aggressively to these developments. IMF staff analysis suggests that the dollar is closer to its medium-term equilibrium level, although still on the strong side.

This technical note focuses on the International Organization of Securities Commissions objectives and principles of securities regulations of Austria. The 2003 assessment found that Austria had fully broadly implemented a large majority of principles. The human resources of the Securities Supervision Department of the Financial Market Authority (FMA) should be increased, especially to conduct on-site inspections, in addition to the 14 planned appointments. Administrative fines should be raised further to levels elsewhere in Europe.