Resources

Arab countries like other developing countries have embarked on financial sector reforms since the early 1990s. The purpose of this study is to discuss and shed some light on the Arab countries’ financial sector institutional reform and their implications for economic...Read More

This paper provides the first analysis of the Global Financial Inclusion (Global Findex) Database, a new set of indicators that measure how adults in 148 economies save, borrow, make payments, and manage risk. The data show that 50 percent of adults worldwide have an...Read More

This research has included case-study analyses of specifi c policies and interventions, as well as systematic analyses of extensive cross-country and micro data sets. Finance for All? presents fi rst efforts at developing indicators illustrating that fi nancial access is...Read More

This paper attempts to provide an overview of the financial reform process in the Arab countries. It provides some details regarding the financial reforms attempted, categorized under six distinct categories: monetray policy reforms; banking system reforms; financial...Read More

This report goes beyond simply measuring access to finance. It analyzes the underlying market dynam- ics and linkages to broader financial sector and eco- nomic growth indicators. A better insight into the drivers of access and the relevance of financial access to...Read More

This paper introduces the Global Financial Development Database, an extensive dataset of financial system characteristics for 205 economies from 1960 to 2010. The database includes measures of (a) size of financial institutions and markets (financial depth), (b) degree...Read More

This paper attempts to fill the gap in the empirical literature on Islamic banking. To our knowledge, it is the first paper to provide a cross-country empirical analysis of the role of Islamic banks in financial stability. Read More

This paper provides a comparative summary of secured transactions systems related to the use of movable property as collateral in the MENA region vis à vis international practices in countries with modern secured transactions systems. The paper sets out the importance...Read More

Focus Note 49. August 2008. This Focus Note provides an overview of the current state of the Islamic microfinance sector and identifies possible challenges to ots growth. It is  intended as an introduction to Islamic to Islamic microfinance primarily for the donor...Read More

Financial Access 2010 is the second in a series of annu- al reports by CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) and the World Bank Group to monitor statistics for financial access around the world and to inform the policy debate. The series was launched in response...Read More