Publication: Financial Sector Policy in Practice : Benchmarking Financial Sector Strategies around the World
Loading...
Published
2014-01
ISSN
Date
2014-02-03
Editor(s)
Abstract
Policy makers use financial sector strategies to formulate a holistic policy for their national financial sectors. This paper examines and rates financial sector strategies around the world based on how well they formulate development targets, arrangements for systemic risk management, and implementation plans. The strategies are also rated on whether they consider policy trade-offs between financial development and systemic risk management. The rated strategies are then benchmarked against a wide range of country characteristics. The analysis finds that the scope and quality of national strategies for the financial sector are influenced by the country's type of legal system, its level of income and macroeconomic stability, the existing financial depth and inclusion, the share of foreign ownership in the national financial sector, and the experience of past financial crises. Giving due consideration to policy trade-offs, particularly between financial development and systemic risk management, remains the weakest part of these strategies. Countries with civil- and religious-based law and those with a higher share of foreign ownership in their financial system address the policy trade-offs more often.
Link to Data Set
Citation
“Maimbo, Samuel Munzele; Melecky, Martin. 2014. Financial Sector Policy in Practice : Benchmarking Financial Sector Strategies around the World. Policy Research Working Paper;No. 6746. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/16832 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
Digital Object Identifier
Associated URLs
Associated content
Other publications in this report series
Publication The Macroeconomic Implications of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Options(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-05-29)Estimating the macroeconomic implications of climate change impacts and adaptation options is a topic of intense research. This paper presents a framework in the World Bank's macrostructural model to assess climate-related damages. This approach has been used in many Country Climate and Development Reports, a World Bank diagnostic that identifies priorities to ensure continued development in spite of climate change and climate policy objectives. The methodology captures a set of impact channels through which climate change affects the economy by (1) connecting a set of biophysical models to the macroeconomic model and (2) exploring a set of development and climate scenarios. The paper summarizes the results for five countries, highlighting the sources and magnitudes of their vulnerability --- with estimated gross domestic product losses in 2050 exceeding 10 percent of gross domestic product in some countries and scenarios, although only a small set of impact channels is included. The paper also presents estimates of the macroeconomic gains from sector-level adaptation interventions, considering their upfront costs and avoided climate impacts and finding significant net gross domestic product gains from adaptation opportunities identified in the Country Climate and Development Reports. Finally, the paper discusses the limits of current modeling approaches, and their complementarity with empirical approaches based on historical data series. The integrated modeling approach proposed in this paper can inform policymakers as they make proactive decisions on climate change adaptation and resilience.Publication South Africa’s Fragmented Cities: The Unequal Burden of Labor Market Frictions(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2026-01-08)Using high-resolution administrative, census, and satellite data, this paper shows that South African cities are characterized by spatial mismatches between where people live and where jobs are located, relative to 20 global peers. Areas within 5 kilometers of commercial centers have 9,300 fewer residents per square kilometer than expected, which is 60 percent below the global median. Poor, dense neighborhoods are most affected. In Johannesburg, a 10-percentile increase in distance from the nearest business hub corresponds to a 3.7-percentile drop in asset wealth (a proxy of household wellbeing) and 4.9-percentile drop in employment. In Cape Town, the declines are 4.0 and 3.7 percentiles, respectively. Employment is 87 percent lower in the poorest decile than the richest in Johannesburg and 61 percent lower in Cape Town. These findings suggest that South Africa’s spatial organization of people and economic activity constrains agglomeration and reinforces inequality. This methodology provides a scalable and standardized data-driven framework to analyze spatial accessibility and agglomeration frictions in complex, data-constrained urban systems.Publication The Evolution of Local Participatory Democracy in Nepal(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-11-05)Nepal is, according to its constitution, among the world’s most decentralized countries, with a long and complex tradition of local-level public participation. This paper traces the evolution of Nepal’s modern participatory institutions, examining the extent to which they are “induced” by external interventions versus being “organically” rooted in indigenous practices. The paper identifies three broad phases: an initial focus on participation in project implementation; a subsequent phase that expanded citizen engagement; and a third phase of citizen empowerment, culminating in the 2015 federal constitution, which granted unprecedented local autonomy. The analysis yields five key findings. First, over the past 50 years, successive reforms have progressively expanded opportunities for citizens to influence local decision-making. Second, these reforms have integrated traditional participatory mechanisms into formal institutions of local government. Third, although central-level initiatives exist, most participatory platforms continue to operate at the local level. Fourth, the federal constitution has created a new landscape of local democracy, embedding autonomy and accountability. Fifth, although they are still valued in many ethnic and territorial communities, traditional participatory practices are gradually disappearing. The paper concludes by offering policy recommendations to help donor agencies and governments strengthen Nepal’s democratic trajectory. It argues that effective interventions should build on Nepal’s deep participatory traditions while recognizing the constitutional reality of far-reaching local autonomy.Publication Institutional Capacity for Policy Implementation: An Analytical Framework(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2026-01-07)State capacity is an important prerequisite for policy implementation, yet at the country level it is difficult to measure, assess, and reform. This paper proposes a focus on institutional capacity: the ability of public institutions to implement the specific policy mandates for which they are responsible. Based on a review of existing literature, the paper defines the different dimensions that compose institutional capacity and groups them into two cross-cutting categories: organizational dimensions (personnel, financial resources, information systems, and management practices) and governance dimensions (transparency, independence, and accountability). The paper proposes measures for organizational and governance dimensions using existing data, shows intra-institutional variation of these measures within countries, and discusses how new data could be collected for better measurement of these concepts. Finally, the paper illustrates how the framework can be used to diagnose the sources of common problems related to weak policy implementation.Publication Closing the Gender Gap in Entrepreneurship: Overcoming Challenges in Law and Practice for Female Entrepreneurs(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2026-01-07)Despite significant strides toward gender equality, women around the world continue to encounter systemic obstacles that hinder their entrepreneurial success. This paper systematically reviews the literature on the barriers female entrepreneurs face and the solutions proposed to overcome these challenges. It discusses institutional factors, financial factors, human capital factors, and social and cultural factors. The literature overview is complemented by a series of stylized facts that illustrate how overcoming some of these existing barriers is correlated with improved women’s entrepreneurship and female labor force participation, drawing on the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law database as well as the World Bank’s Enterprise Surveys. The findings underscore the need for creating an enabling environment where women can thrive as entrepreneurs.
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue
Related items
Showing items related by metadata.
Publication Kenya : Accelerating and Sustaining Inclusive Growth(Washington, DC, 2008-07)This report focuses on what needs to be done in the next five years to realize a significantly higher growth potential and sustain high growth in Kenya. The challenge before Kenya and the new government is to take the economy to the next phase of development. The report attempts to do this in two ways. First, it applies the insights from the recent empirical work and experience in other high growth countries to Kenya to propose a growth strategy. The strategy, so developed, will validate and likely help sharpen the broad thrust and direction of the ongoing reform efforts. Second, it drills down selectively into certain aspects of the growth strategy to generate a set of specific policy and institutional reforms. The net result is a reform agenda consisting of detailed policy actions that are expected to add up to a well-articulated growth strategy. Apart from influencing government action, the report is also expected to influence thinking about growth in policy circles outside the government. In its analysis, the report draws upon the state-of-the-art thinking on the issues of growth, which is going through considerable rethinking among economists and practitioners. Among several departures from the conventional view, the new thinking shies away from providing prepackaged answers to an economy's problems and emphasizes country-specific analysis instead. Similarly, the focus has shifted from identifying correlates of growth at a macroeconomic level (as in growth regressions), to identifying constraints to growth at a microeconomic level. This report reflects this shift in thinking and draws mainly upon analysis specific to Kenya (such as growth diagnostics and investment climate assessment) to arrive at conclusions relevant to policy choices. This report reinforces the findings of the Vision 2030 document in several areas, adds value in many others, and modifies some. Most significantly, this report agrees with the Vision that tourism, manufacturing, and service sectors based on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are likely engines for growth. However, this report is much less emphatic than Vision 2030 about the sectors (identified winners and flagship projects) on which government should focus for delivering the aspired growth. The emphasis of the report is instead on generic economy-wide reforms aimed at reducing business costs and improving productivity.Publication Republic of Korea Financial Sector Assessment Program : Detailed Assessment of Observance - Assessment of Observance of CPSS-IOSCO Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures--BOK-WIRE+ and KRX CCP(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2014-09)This report contains the assessments of the Bank of Korea (BOK)-wire+ and Korea exchange (KRX) central counterparty (CCP) based on the committee on payment and settlement systems (CPSS) - International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) principles for financial market infrastructures (PFMI). The assessment was undertaken in the context of the international monetary fund's (IMF's) financial sector assessment program (FSAP) to the Republic of Korea in April and July 2013. The objective of the assessment has been to identify potential risks related to the FMIs that may affect financial stability. The scope of the assessment includes two main FMIs as well as the authorities in Korea responsible for regulation, supervision, and oversight of FMIs. The BOK-wire+ and the KRX CCP are assessed against all relevant principles of the PFMI. The authorities, being the BOK, the financial services committee (FSC), and the financial supervisory service (FSS), are assessed using the responsibilities for authorities of FMIs. This report provides introduction; methodology and information used for the assessment; overview of the payment, clearing, and settlement landscape; and key findings follow up for the BOK-wire+; key findings and follow-up for the KRX-CCP; key findings and follow up for authorities; recommendations for the BOK-wire+; recommendations for the KRX-CCP; and recommendations for authorities.Publication Financial Sector Assessment : Poland(Washington, DC, 2001-04)The principal objectives of this financial sector assessment were to assist the authorities in identifying potential vulnerabilities in the Polish financial system that could have macroeconomic consequences, to suggest measures to reduce these risks, and to outline development needs in the system and strategies to address these concerns. The purpose of this note is to provide a summary of the main findings of the mission, together with the policy priorities identified. The issues facing the Polish financial sector are mostly of development rather than stability nature. Poland has made significant reforms in its financial sector over the last decade, with an acceleration of the restructuring of its banking system in the last three years. Poland has completed the larger part of the transition-related reform agenda in the financial sector. While the overall stability of the financial sector does not appear to be a concern at the moment, enhanced oversight of risk management systems of financial institutions and improvements in crisis prevention and management procedures are necessary.Publication Oil Rules : Kazakhstan's Policy Options in a Downturn(Washington, DC, 2013)This report assesses the role of fiscal rules for countercyclical economic management in Kazakhstan and simulates the behavior of different types of fiscal rules. The work represents technical assistance to the ministry of economy and budget planning and has been financed by the joint economic research program between the government of Kazakhstan and the World Bank. Kazakhstan adopted a fixed fiscal rule in 2010 and introduced changes to it in 2012. By keeping the annual amount transferred from the fund to the budget constant, Kazakhstan's rule is more stringent than pure application of the permanent rule will imply. This report's five chapters outline the advantages of Kazakhstan's current fiscal rule and its performance against other types of rules. Chapter one reviews the performance of the Kazakh economy and the policy stance of the authorities over the last 10 years. Chapter two argues that fiscal rules should be simple and transparent; presenting evidence that Kazakhstan's current fiscal rule meets these two criteria. Chapter three presents the results of simulations of different global economic scenarios and the expected impacts on key variables in Kazakhstan, considering scenarios as elected in close consultation with the Kazakh authorities. Chapter four uses the results of these simulations to test the performance of different types of fiscal rules. Chapter five responds to a government request to review the literature on the use of fiscal and monetary policy for countercyclical economic management.Publication Sri Lanka - Financial Sector Assessment(Washington, DC, 2008-01)This Financial Sector Assessment (FSA) is based on the work of the joint World Bank and IMF Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) update team that visited Sri Lanka between June 20 and July 3, 2007. The principal objectives of the FSAP Update were to: (i) assess developments in the financial sector and progress in strengthening financial sector regulation since 2002; and (ii) identify measures that would contribute to consolidation of financial stability and to further development of the financial sector over the next five years. This report describes the main findings of the 2007 FSAP update addressing bank and non bank financial institutions, state bank restructuring, pension funds, insurance, capital markets, supervisory framework, access to finance, and legal and judicial reforms. This report summarizes the recommendations for sustaining financial development.
Users also downloaded
Showing related downloaded files
Publication Global Economic Prospects, June 2025(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-10)The global economy is facing another substantial headwind, emanating largely from an increase in trade tensions and heightened global policy uncertainty. For emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), the ability to boost job creation and reduce extreme poverty has declined. Key downside risks include a further escalation of trade barriers and continued policy uncertainty. These challenges are exacerbated by subdued foreign direct investment into EMDEs. Global cooperation is needed to restore a more stable international trade environment and scale up support for vulnerable countries grappling with conflict, debt burdens, and climate change. Domestic policy action is also critical to contain inflation risks and strengthen fiscal resilience. To accelerate job creation and long-term growth, structural reforms must focus on raising institutional quality, attracting private investment, and strengthening human capital and labor markets. Countries in fragile and conflict situations face daunting development challenges that will require tailored domestic policy reforms and well-coordinated multilateral support.Publication Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-03-05)Digitalization is the transformational opportunity of our time. The digital sector has become a powerhouse of innovation, economic growth, and job creation. Value added in the IT services sector grew at 8 percent annually during 2000–22, nearly twice as fast as the global economy. Employment growth in IT services reached 7 percent annually, six times higher than total employment growth. The diffusion and adoption of digital technologies are just as critical as their invention. Digital uptake has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 1.5 billion new internet users added from 2018 to 2022. The share of firms investing in digital solutions around the world has more than doubled from 2020 to 2022. Low-income countries, vulnerable populations, and small firms, however, have been falling behind, while transformative digital innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) have been accelerating in higher-income countries. Although more than 90 percent of the population in high-income countries was online in 2022, only one in four people in low-income countries used the internet, and the speed of their connection was typically only a small fraction of that in wealthier countries. As businesses in technologically advanced countries integrate generative AI into their products and services, less than half of the businesses in many low- and middle-income countries have an internet connection. The growing digital divide is exacerbating the poverty and productivity gaps between richer and poorer economies. The Digital Progress and Trends Report series will track global digitalization progress and highlight policy trends, debates, and implications for low- and middle-income countries. The series adds to the global efforts to study the progress and trends of digitalization in two main ways: · By compiling, curating, and analyzing data from diverse sources to present a comprehensive picture of digitalization in low- and middle-income countries, including in-depth analyses on understudied topics. · By developing insights on policy opportunities, challenges, and debates and reflecting the perspectives of various stakeholders and the World Bank’s operational experiences. This report, the first in the series, aims to inform evidence-based policy making and motivate action among internal and external audiences and stakeholders. The report will bring global attention to high-performing countries that have valuable experience to share as well as to areas where efforts will need to be redoubled.Publication Mining Royalties : A Global Study of Their Impact on Investors, Government, and Civil Society(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2006)Mineral sector regulatory and fiscal systems have been undergoing major reforms across the globe. This book focuses on information and analysis relating to mineral royalties. It provides a general discussion of the concepts behind mining taxation, a guide to royalties, examples of royalty calculations and the ways in which these interact with other forms of taxation, as well as financial effects on investments under varying conditions. Primary information includes royalty legislation from over forty nations. The book discusses implications for investors and governments of various tax regimes and provides specific country case examples. A chapter is included on transparency, governance, and management of revenue streams. The appendices, in the second volume, contain brief summaries and selected statutes relating to royalties in a broad cross-section of nations around the world; sample spreadsheets of the results of mine models that were analyzed; and examples of administrative and distributional approaches to collecting royalties.Publication International Financial Reporting Standards : A Practical Guide, 5th Edition(World Bank, 2009)The publication of this fifth edition coincides with the convergence in accounting standards that has been a feature of the international landscape since the global financial crisis of 1998. The events of that year prompted several international organizations, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, to launch a cooperative initiative to strengthen the global financial architecture and to seek a longer-term solution to the lack of transparency in financial information. A conscious decision has been made to focus on the needs of executives and financial analysts in the private and public sectors who might not have a strong accounting background. This publication summarizes each standard so managers and analysts can quickly obtain a broad overview of the key issues. Detailed discussion of certain topics has been excluded to maintain the overall objective of providing a useful tool to managers and financial analysts. In addition to the short summaries, most chapters contain basic examples that emphasize the practical application of some key concepts in a particular standard. This text provides the tools to enable an executive without a technical accounting background to: (1) participate in an informed manner in discussions relating to the appropriateness or application of a particular standard in a given situation, and (2) evaluate the effect that the application of the principles of a given standard will have on the financial results and position of a division or of an entire enterprise.Publication Commodity Markets Outlook, October 2025(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-10-29)Commodity prices are expected to decline by about 7 percent overall this year, reflecting subdued global economic activity, elevated trade tensions and policy uncertainty, ample global supply of oil, and weather-related supply shocks. In 2026, commodity prices are forecast to fall by a further 7 percent, a fourth consecutive year of decline, as global growth remains sluggish and the oil market oversupplied. Energy price movements are envisaged to continue contributing to global disinflation in 2026. Metals and minerals prices are expected to remain stable in 2026, while agricultural prices are projected to edge down, primarily due to strong supply conditions. Precious metals prices are expected to rise another 5 percent, after a historically large, investment-driven rally of about 40 percent in 2025. Risks to the commodity price projections are tilted to the downside. Key downside risks include weaker-than-expected global growth, a longer-than-assumed period of economic policy uncertainty, and additional oversupply of oil. Upside risks include intensifying geopolitical tensions, the market impact of additional oil sanctions, supply reductions stemming from additional trade restrictions, unfavorable weather conditions, faster-than-expected rollout of new data centers. Commodity price volatility in recent years has revived interest in supply management via international commodity agreements. Historical experience, however, shows that the most effective policy is to promote diversification, innovation, transparency, and market-based pricing—measures that build lasting resilience to commodity price volatility.