In Latin America and the Caribbean, a region historically marked by financial exclusion, a rapid shift to digital banking in the last decade has created new opportunities for credit provision to underserved populations. But the transformation, accompanied by a reduction in traditional banking infrastructure, such as physical branches, is not without its risks and … [Read more...] about What Happens to Small Firms When Big Banks Go Digital?
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US Banking Fragilities and the Potential Impacts on Latin America and the Caribbean
Several bank failures, and the high volatility in US bank equity prices, have raised considerable concern in recent weeks. The March 10 failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) followed just two days later by that of Signature Bank shocked many observers. There were hopes that these were isolated incidents, but other regional banks soon came under pressure. First Republic Bank … [Read more...] about US Banking Fragilities and the Potential Impacts on Latin America and the Caribbean
Reducing Volatility from Cross-Border Banking Flows
How can emerging markets protect themselves from abrupt shifts in cross-border banking flows? That has been a fundamental question for economic policymakers in recent years, including those entrusted with banking supervision in regions like Latin America and the Caribbean. In a study made available online in May, Gabriel Cuadra and I examine the issue, focusing on how … [Read more...] about Reducing Volatility from Cross-Border Banking Flows
IDB-Columbia Course for Policymakers Opens for Applications
Columbia University and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are offering the next edition of their popular executive course on macro-financial policymaking in emerging markets from April 23-27 in New York. Open to policymakers from developing world governments, as well as economists working in international financial institutions and investment bankers, the intensive … [Read more...] about IDB-Columbia Course for Policymakers Opens for Applications