Systemic Requirements for Monetary Stability in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union


Book Description

The primary function of banks during economic transformation is seen to be provision of an efficient payments mechanism. The lack of banking skills, particularly in credit allocation, is seen as the major problem in stable monetary systems. This is a problem which can be expected to last many years. The solution is to limit banks to very safe assets (initially central bank liabilities). Combining such safe banks with a monetary rule would provide stable monetary systems during transition.




Working Paper Summaries (WP/94/1 - WP/94/76)


Book Description

The IMF Working Papers series is designed to make IMF staff research available to a wide audience. Almost 300 Working Papers are released each year, covering a wide range of theoretical and analytical topics, including balance of payments, monetary and fiscal issues, global liquidity, and national and international economic developments.




IMF Staff papers


Book Description

This paper provides a critical survey of the literature on politico-institutional determinants of the government budget. We organize our discussion around two questions: Why did certain OECD countries, but not others, accumulate large public debts? Why did these fiscal imbalances appear in the last twenty years rather than sooner? We begin by discussing the “tax smoothing” model and conclude that this approach alone cannot provide complete answers to these questions. We then proceed to a discussion of political economy models, which we organize into six groups: (1) models based upon opportunistic policy makers and naive voters with “fiscal illusion”; (2) models of intergenerational redistributions; (3) models of debt as a strategic variable, linking the current government with the next one; (4) models of coalition governments; (5) models of geographically dispersed interests; and (6) models emphasizing the effects of budgetary institutions. We conclude by briefly discussing policy implications.




Money, Financial Flows, and Credit in the Soviet Union


Book Description

Economic research monograph on banking and monetary policy in the USSR - covers foreign exchange, trade and the balance of payments, price stabilization policies, the nature of capital flows, foreign investments, financial planning, the credit system, etc. Bibliography pp. 204 to 218, diagram and references.




Changes in the Russian Banking System


Book Description

Inhaltsangabe:Abstract: This dissertation analyses the structural changes in the Russian banking system and gives insights into the current market situation. Starting with a review of theoretical aspects of banking in Western economies and the rationale for the existence of banks, the deficiencies of the former socialist banking system are exposed. A large section is dedicated to the special role of the banking system during the process of transition and to an evaluation of how far Russian banks rise to the challenges of these tasks. The historical process of reforming the central and commercial banking system is described, laying emphasis on the legislative changes and the means of supervision. The banking system in Russia has been dominated by rapid growth in the last three years due to high profit expectations. However, many banks granted credits to dubious industrial companies and now face a large amount of uncollectable assets in their credit portfolios. The analysis shows that with rising positive real interest rates and growing competition in the banking market, a large number of small and mediumsized banks will either have to admit bankruptcy or be acquired by expanding banks. The emerging interbank, bond and equity markets are illustrated with regard to the influence of banks. The deficiencies in settlement processes, liquidity, trading rules, and private and commercial law are examined. The next urgently required steps in the reform process are listed. The future progress of the Russian banking system however, is not only dependent on legal and structural changes in related financial and capital markets, but based on the critical assumption of peaceful, politically stable and socially balanced developments in Russia. Inhaltsverzeichnis:Table of Contents: AbstractIV 1.Introduction1 2.Theoretical Aspects of Banking 2.1Theory of Financial Intermidiation3 2.2Thr, Banking System in a Centrally Planned Economy7 2.3The Role of Banks in Russia's Transition to a Market Economy9 3.The Banking Refomis in Russia 3.1Russian Banking Legislation18 3.1.1The Independence of the Central Bank19 3.1.2The Commercial Banking Legislation23 3.2Russian Banking Supervision24 3.2.1The Licensing Process25 3.2.2Creditor Protection and Assessment of Reliability29 3.2.3Accounting and Audit33 4.The Financial Market Situation in Russia 4.1Russian Commercial Banks36 4.1.1The -Former Specialised Banks36 4.1.2The Ministerial Bank38 4.1.3Independent [...]




Income, Inequality, and Poverty During the Transition from Planned to Market Economy


Book Description

World Bank Technical Paper No. 394. Joint Forest Management (JFM) has emerged as an important intervention in the management of Indias forest resources. This report sets out an analytical method for examining the costs and benefits of JFM arrangements. Two pilot case studies in which the method was used demonstrate interesting outcomes regarding incentives for various groups to participate. The main objective of this study is to develop a better understanding of the incentives for communities to participate in JFM.







Research Activities of the IMF, January 1991-December 1998


Book Description

A selective index of major research papers prepared by IMF staff in 1991-98.




Establishing Monetary Stability In Emerging Market Economies


Book Description

There has been fierce debate about the optimal sequencing of economic reforms in emerging market economies. Many economists argue that for market-oriented systems to operate effectively, a reasonable degree of monetary stability is necessary. Rampant inflation, a common challenge for emerging economies, greatly reduces the chances that market-oriented reforms will be successful. In this comprehensive volume, a group of policy-oriented economists from North America, Europe, and the former Soviet Union explore the causes of monetary instability in reforming economies and evaluate alternative institutional mechanisms designed to reduce inflationary pressures. Considering the latest theoretical and empirical research–as well as the experiences of former Communist countries, including Russia and the erstwhile Soviet republics–the contributors view inflation as a political issue and make a case for the creation of strong political institutions. They argue that although government actions that stimulate inflation tend to have low costs or even benefits in the sort run, they impose heavy costs on the economy in the longer term. Consequently, there is a strong need to develop institutional mechanisms to help ensure that decision makers place appropriate emphasis on the long-run consequences of policy actions.