Other Financial Accountability Study

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  • Publication
    Zimbabwe Diagnostic Review of Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy: Volume 2. Comparison with Good Practices
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2015-07) World Bank Group
    In the last decade, Zimbabwe’s financial sector survived the periods of hyperinflation and the collapse of the national currency that led to the adoption of a multi-currency system in early 2009. Consequently, financial sector activity in Zimbabwe has shrunk by more than 50 percent in many segments. In 2015, the financial sector is dominated by the banking segment that is generally stable but faces major systemic challenges: low liquidity, low capitalization, high cost of funds with low domestic savings and expensive external borrowing. High credit risks increase the reluctance to lend. At the same time, the technology-driven segments are growing rapidly but regulatory gaps pose significant systemic and entity-level risks. In such circumstances, the Zimbabwe authorities recognize the urgency of establishing a sound financial consumer protection regime and promoting financial literacy. This World Bank’s diagnostic review was requested by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe with support of the national government and regulatory bodies. It provides analysis of the legal and regulatory framework in the banking, digital financial services, non-bank credit institutions, insurance, securities, private pensions, and credit reporting segments. Four consumer focus groups were also conducted on financial capability issues. Volume I of the Review summarizes the key findings and recommendations, and Volume II provides comparison with the Good Practices for Financial Consumer Protection.
  • Publication
    Zimbabwe Diagnostic Review of Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy: Volume 1. Key Findings and Recommendations
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2015-07) World Bank Group
    In the last decade, Zimbabwe’s financial sector survived the periods of hyperinflation and the collapse of the national currency that led to the adoption of a multi-currency system in early 2009. Consequently, financial sector activity in Zimbabwe has shrunk by more than 50 percent in many segments. In 2015, the financial sector is dominated by the banking segment that is generally stable but faces major systemic challenges: low liquidity, low capitalization, high cost of funds with low domestic savings and expensive external borrowing. High credit risks increase the reluctance to lend. At the same time, the technology-driven segments are growing rapidly but regulatory gaps pose significant systemic and entity-level risks. In such circumstances, the Zimbabwe authorities recognize the urgency of establishing a sound financial consumer protection regime and promoting financial literacy. This World Bank’s diagnostic review was requested by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe with support of the national government and regulatory bodies. It provides analysis of the legal and regulatory framework in the banking, digital financial services, non-bank credit institutions, insurance, securities, private pensions, and credit reporting segments. Four consumer focus groups were also conducted on financial capability issues. Volume I of the Review summarizes the key findings and recommendations, and Volume II provides comparison with the Good Practices for Financial Consumer Protection.
  • Publication
    Rwanda Diagnostic Review of Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy: Volume 1. Key Findings and Recommendations
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2013-11) World Bank
    Although the Parliament of Rwanda has passed an impressive array of financial sector laws since 2008, the laws relevant to financial consumer protection are very limited and in some cases overlapping. Consumer protection in Rwandan banking, microfinance, and insurance sectors is fragmented because of insufficiently defined roles and responsibilities among institutions and unclear enforcement capacity. While there are some strong provisions in some areas such as electronic money transfer, electronic transmission, credit information, and market conduct regulation in the insurance industry, many other areas are lagging. Rwandan authorities recognize that a sound financial consumer protection framework is fundamental to improving usage and quality of financial services, access to them, and overall deepening of the financial sector. This World Bank diagnostic review was requested by the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) in November 2012. Modules on banking and microfinance sectors were developed based on publicly available information and data during the World Bank mission in Rwanda, and the review of the insurance sector was conducted through a desk review using the data obtained from BNR data requests and questionnaires, and the analysis is therefore constrained by it. Volume I of the review summarizes its key findings and recommendations, and volume II provides a detailed assessment against the World Bank’s good practices on financial consumer protection.
  • Publication
    Rwanda Diagnostic Review of Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy: Volume 2. Comparison with Good Practices
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2013-11) World Bank
    Although the Parliament of Rwanda has passed an impressive array of financial sector laws since 2008, the laws relevant to financial consumer protection are very limited and in some cases overlapping. Consumer protection in Rwandan banking, microfinance, and insurance sectors is fragmented because of insufficiently defined roles and responsibilities among institutions and unclear enforcement capacity. While there are some strong provisions in some areas such as electronic money transfer, electronic transmission, credit information, and market conduct regulation in the insurance industry, many other areas are lagging. Rwandan authorities recognize that a sound financial consumer protection framework is fundamental to improving usage and quality of financial services, access to them, and overall deepening of the financial sector. This World Bank diagnostic review was requested by the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) in November 2012. Modules on banking and microfinance sectors were developed based on publicly available information and data during the World Bank mission in Rwanda, and the review of the insurance sector was conducted through a desk review using the data obtained from BNR data requests and questionnaires, and the analysis is therefore constrained by it. Volume I of the review summarizes its key findings and recommendations, and volume II provides a detailed assessment against the World Bank’s good practices on financial consumer protection.
  • Publication
    Tanzania Diagnostic Review of Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy: Volume 1. Key Findings and Recommendations
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2013-11) World Bank Group
    In 2011, only 17.3 percemt of adults in Tanzania had an account at a formal financial institution and 56 percemt did not have any access to financial services. Most of the population lives in rural areas with very low incomes and poor infrastructure, and women are especially disadvantaged. Such limited access to formal financial services also inhibits financial literacy – awareness of benefits and risks, and how to take advantage of opportunities. Despite significant challenges, all institutional elements of the formal financial sector in Tanzania are in place, helping its gradual expansion, and in some segments technology is driving rapid growth – particularly in mobile and electronic payments. Still, gaps and weaknesses in financial consumer protection and financial education remain some of the main obstacles to sustainability and greater trust in the financial sector. This Diagnostic Review was requested by the Ministry of Finance of Tanzania in November 2012. It provides a detailed assessment of Tanzania’s institutional, legal and regulatory framework against the World Bank’s Good Practices for Financial Consumer Protection. Three segments of the financial sector have been analyzed: banking, microfinance, and pensions. Insurance and securities segments will be considered at a later stage. Volume I of the Review summarizes the key findings and recommendations and Volume II presents a detailed assessment of each financial segment compared to the Good Practices.
  • Publication
    Tanzania Diagnostic Review of Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy: Volume 2. Comparison with Good Practices
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2013-11) World Bank Group
    In 2011, only 17.3 percemt of adults in Tanzania had an account at a formal financial institution and 56 percemt did not have any access to financial services. Most of the population lives in rural areas with very low incomes and poor infrastructure, and women are especially disadvantaged. Such limited access to formal financial services also inhibits financial literacy – awareness of benefits and risks, and how to take advantage of opportunities. Despite significant challenges, all institutional elements of the formal financial sector in Tanzania are in place, helping its gradual expansion, and in some segments technology is driving rapid growth – particularly in mobile and electronic payments. Still, gaps and weaknesses in financial consumer protection and financial education remain some of the main obstacles to sustainability and greater trust in the financial sector. This Diagnostic Review was requested by the Ministry of Finance of Tanzania in November 2012. It provides a detailed assessment of Tanzania’s institutional, legal and regulatory framework against the World Bank’s Good Practices for Financial Consumer Protection. Three segments of the financial sector have been analyzed: banking, microfinance, and pensions. Insurance and securities segments will be considered at a later stage. Volume I of the Review summarizes the key findings and recommendations and Volume II presents a detailed assessment of each financial segment compared to the Good Practices.
  • Publication
    Mozambique Diagnostic Review of Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy: Volume 2. Comparison with Good Practices
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2012-12) World Bank
    The review provides a detailed assessment of the institutional policy and regulatory framework in two segments of the financial sector: banking and non-bank credit institutions. The mission took place in response to a specific request for technical assistance in the field of financial consumer protection made by the central bank, the Banco de Moçambique (BdM), in November 2011. As agreed with the BdM, the assessment has focused on bank and non-bank entities within Mozambique’s financial sector that provide financial products and services to consumers, including microfinance, with a particular focus on credit reporting and on financial awareness. Volume one summarizes the key findings and recommendations of the review and volume two presents a detailed assessment of each financial segment compared to the good practices. Volume two also includes annexes that analyze and provide more detailed recommendations on credit reporting and financial education, and a description of the overall legal and institutional frameworks for financial consumer protection in Mozambique. The key findings and recommendations presented in this report cover six areas: institutional arrangements, legal and regulatory framework, disclosure, business practices, dispute resolution mechanisms, and financial education.
  • Publication
    Mozambique Diagnostic Review of Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy: Volume 1. Key Findings and Recommendations
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2012-12) World Bank
    The review provides a detailed assessment of the institutional policy and regulatory framework in two segments of the financial sector: banking and non-bank credit institutions. The mission took place in response to a specific request for technical assistance in the field of financial consumer protection made by the central bank, the Banco de Moçambique (BdM), in November 2011. As agreed with the BdM, the assessment has focused on bank and non-bank entities within Mozambique’s financial sector that provide financial products and services to consumers, including microfinance, with a particular focus on credit reporting and on financial awareness. Volume one summarizes the key findings and recommendations of the review and volume two presents a detailed assessment of each financial segment compared to the good practices. Volume two also includes annexes that analyze and provide more detailed recommendations on credit reporting and financial education, and a description of the overall legal and institutional frameworks for financial consumer protection in Mozambique. The key findings and recommendations presented in this report cover six areas: institutional arrangements, legal and regulatory framework, disclosure, business practices, dispute resolution mechanisms, and financial education.
  • Publication
    Republic of Zambia Diagnostic Review of Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy: Volume 2. Comparison with Good Practices
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2012-10) World Bank
    The Diagnostic Review of Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy in Zambia was conducted at the request of the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) and covered: i) banking; ii) non-bank financial institutions; iii) insurance; iv) pensions; and v) securities. The objectives of the Review were to compare the existing legal and regulatory framework, institutional arrangements, and market practices to good practices and provide recommendations to enhance financial consumer protection and financial literacy in Zambia. The Review consists of two Volumes. Volume I summarizes the key findings and recommendations and Volume II presents a detailed assessment of each of the covered sectors compared to the Good Practices.
  • Publication
    Republic of Zambia Diagnostic Review of Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy: Volume 1. Key Findings and Recommendations
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2012-10) World Bank
    The Diagnostic Review of Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy in Zambia was conducted at the request of the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) and covered: i) banking; ii) non-bank financial institutions; iii) insurance; iv) pensions; and v) securities. The objectives of the Review were to compare the existing legal and regulatory framework, institutional arrangements, and market practices to good practices and provide recommendations to enhance financial consumer protection and financial literacy in Zambia. The Review consists of two Volumes. Volume I summarizes the key findings and recommendations and Volume II presents a detailed assessment of each of the covered sectors compared to the Good Practices. The key findings and recommendations presented in Volume I cover six areas: i) legal and regulatory framework; ii) institutional arrangements; iii) consumer disclosure; iv) business practices; v) dispute resolution mechanisms; and vi) financial education.