Reports

OECD Sovereign Borrowing Outlook 2009: Revised estimates for 2009 and 2010

OECD governments are facing ongoing, unprecedented challenges in raising large volumes of funds at lowest possible cost, while balancing refinancing, repricing and interest rate risks. Gross borrowing needs of OECD governments are expected to reach almost USD 16 trillion in 2009, up from an earlier estimate of around USD 12 trillion. The tentative outlook for 2010 shows a stabilising borrowing picture at around the level of USD 16

Responding to the crisis: Changes in OECD primary market procedures and portfolio risk management

Tougher issuance conditions related to the surge in government borrowing needs are the reasons why issuance arrangements have not always been working as efficiently as before the crisis. This prompted debt management offices (DMOs) in the OECD area to review existing issuance policies and procedures. The crisis also had an impact on the use of indicators or guidelines relating to the key risks of the maturity structure of issuance or

Expanded Guarantees for Banks: Benefits, Costs and Exit Issues

This article argues that the expansion of existing and the introduction of new guarantees for financial institutions has been a key element of the policy response to the recent financial crisis. Essentially, the government expanded its role as the provider of the safety net for banks by adopting the function of a guarantor of last resort. Among the various policy response measures, the expansion of guarantees has the benefit of

Insurance Companies and the Financial Crisis

The paper discusses vulnerabilities in selected segments of the insurance sector and identifies specific issues related to the role of the insurance sector in the current financial crisis. The paper is part of a special report on the financial crisis and private pensions and insurance policies which will form part of the “OECD Strategic Response to the Crisis” and it provides a framework for the analysis in that report.

The Financial Crisis: Reform and Exit Strategies

The financial crisis required governments to make massive interventions in their financial systems. This book sets out priorities for reforming incentives in financial markets as well as for phasing out these emergency measures.

Transforming Pensions and Healthcare in a Rapidly Ageing World

This report addresses the question of ageing societies from a perspective that integrates implications and solutions for both healthcare and pensions, whereas most reports look separately at one or the other. The report focuses on opportunities, whereas most previous ones have focused primarily on risks. Finally, the report provides an overview of a broad set of practical solutions, ranging from the existing, but underappreciated, to

Insurance Companies and the Financial Crisis

Corporate governance of insurers - IAIS-OECD issues paper

This paper provides background on insurer corporate governance, describes practices and identifies possible regulatory and supervisory issues. It was developed jointly by the OECD and the IAIS.

The Turmoil and the Financial Industry: Developments and Policy Responses

The situation in financial markets deteriorated over the past year, but government actions have helped to avert an even bigger crisis. While some signs of recovery are on the horizon, the banking sectors in many countries are not yet on solid footing. Recent government programmes that deal with banks’ ‘toxic assets’ are welcome in this regard. But further reaching financial sector reforms such as those recently endorsed by the G20

Private Pensions and Policy Responses to the Financial and Economic Crisis

This article discusses responses to current financial and economic crisis by regulators, supervisors and policy makers in the area of private pensions. These responses are examined in the light of international guidelines, best practices and recommendations to improve the design of private pensions. Policy makers are reminded that private pensions continue to play an important role in a balanced pension system, with security coming