Abstract: Despite Greece’s long history as a trading nation, the country is failing to live up to its export potential. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could significantly contribute to strengthening Greece’s export performance, thereby helping to jump-start economic growth and job creation as well as improving the sustainability of fiscal and external accounts. This paper explores aspects of the business, financial and regulatory environment that impede the greater involvement of SMEs in export activity. The paper also discusses the potential role of a development bank and stresses the importance of more R&D and innovation, the need to develop venture and other equity capital financing, and the need to build stronger links and networks between universities and industry. It draws some policy conclusions and suggests policy measures in the areas of finance, regulation, R&D and innovation.

Abstract: This article on public equity financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) complements earlier OECD work on market-based finance for SMEs. The development of this market segment could promote investment in SMEs and, together with securitisation and other non-bank debt financing instruments, encourage an enhanced allocation of risk and risk taking, and thus support growth. Despite the benefits of public SME equity, its share is small and an equity gap exists for risk financing more generally. A number of important impediments to the wider use of public equities for SMEs are identified, such as admission cost and listing requirements, lack of liquidity, educational gaps, limited ecosystems, and tax treatment, all of which require attention by regulators and policy makers alike.

Abstract: The financial market outlook and risks as well as the impact of regulatory reforms on the financial sector were the topics discussed at the October 2011 OECD Financial Roundtable. Concerns about the current situation in financial markets were centred on the sovereign debt and banking crisis in Europe and its repercussions in other parts of the world. Many participants felt that policy makers had not been doing enough to address the crisis and that bold action and ‘circuit breakers’ to stop the negative feedback loops were needed to restore market confidence. Regarding regulation, while the financial industry broadly expressed support for Basel III reforms, some elements like the SIFI surcharge were criticised. The industry was also sceptical regarding the benefits of separation of banks’ businesses (Volcker rule, Vickers proposal) and broadly rejected the EU proposal of a financial transaction tax. While policy makers regarded some of the industry’s regulatory concerns as valid, they stressed the aim of regulatory reforms to make the financial sector safer, thus making downsizing of a certain kind of financial intermediation unavoidable. But the right balance needs to be found in terms of the extent and the timing of regulatory reforms; downsizing in the current situation should perhaps be encouraged less quickly in some cases.

Abstract: Discussions at the October 2010 OECD Financial Roundtable conveyed a rather sombre view regarding the current outlook and risks, heightened by financial sector weaknesses, ongoing deleveraging and sovereign debt. Policy makers should be prepared for downside risks to materialise along the way to recovery. Low interest rates and low returns pose specific challenges for institutional investors. While sovereign risk is currently a major concern, its measurement is rather complex and markets do not always provide proper guidance. Sovereign ratings can serve as a useful point of reference but should be made more forward-looking and less procyclical. Should default or debt restructuring become necessary, strong political backing can minimise its costs. The European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) was seen as helpful in providing a backstop. Some optimism was expressed as to the current fiscal adjustments underway to bring public finances back onto a sustainable path. Banking sectors remain fragile, especially in Europe, where, however, the transparency provided by recent stress tests has calmed some fears. Reactivating the wholesale markets for bank funding will be essential going forward. Capitalisation of the US banking sector has improved, but pockets of risk remain in exposures to commercial property by regional and small banks. Contingent convertible (bail-in) bonds could become a useful instrument for sharing the costs of crises, but they need to be made attractive for investors. JEL Classification: G01, G12, G15, G18, G21, G32, H06, H60, H62, H63, H68 Keywords: financial crisis, sovereign risks, public deficits and debt, bond markets, banks

Abstract: The current crisis with its on-going banking sector problems has brought to the fore various cases of financial fraud and banking scandals that have additionally undermined the already low confidence in the sector. This has raised concerns about structural flaws in the way banks operate and are being regulated and supervised. Restoring investor confidence may require new approaches to redesign the incentives, rules and regulations for the financial sector. This was the backdrop for the discussions at the October 2012 OECD Financial Roundtable that this article summarises. Topics covered the current outlook and risks for banks as well as banking business models, ethics and approaches towards risks. Participants pointed out that, while downsizing and adjusting their business models, banks had already made improvements in their risk management. At the same time, the now observed renationalisation of assets could worsen the situation particularly in the European periphery. This could be attenuated by a European Banking Union that would also help to break the detrimental link between banks and sovereigns. As banks are deleveraging, non-banks are substituting for part of the reduced bank lending, but to do so would need regulatory support – while the shadow banking sector more generally will come under closer regulatory and supervisory scrutiny. Consumer groups in particular regard financial consumer protection as important to help improve the social value of financial activities that had often been unproductive, if not destructive. Bank representatives opposed regulatory separation of bank business on the grounds that it is insufficient to address problems of risk taking and control. Finally, it was pointed out that regulatory reforms need to be targeted and harness market forces by balancing penalties and rewards. Governance of regulation should also be enhanced, and regulation should be proactive and be complemented by strong macro and micro-supervision. Co-ordinating reforms should ensure a level playing field, but a one-size-fits-all approach should be avoided.

Abstract: The demand for long-dated bonds has increased, driven by stricter asset-liability matching regulations governing pension funds, new international accounting standards, as well as new risk-based regulations for insurance companies. In several countries, pension funds and insurance companies are important investors in long-dated bonds. Projections of rapidly ageing and longer-living populations in most OECD countries indicate that the demand for ultra-long paper is poised to grow further. Governments in several OECD countries have responded to that demand, by starting or re-introducing the issuance of very long (20 to 30 years) and ultra-long (30 years and longer) bonds, provided that the issuance of those bonds is consistent with the cost-risk objectives of the minimisation of borrowing cost subject to a preferred level of risk. Consequently, there has been an increase in the supply of (ultra-)long bonds as a percentage of total bonds outstanding in many markets. An important consideration for issuers is that pension funds and insurance companies are to an important degree buy-and-hold investors. This may lead to illiquid markets in long-dated paper when the ongoing supply of (ultra-)long government bonds remains below a certain critical level, resulting in higher government borrowing costs than paper issued in liquid markets. From a medium-term strategic issuers’ perspective, a liquid market in (ultra-)long bonds requires substantial and regular issues by government debt managers. Changes in regulatory standards and the adoption of new international reporting standards have increased the focus on liability-driven investing by pension funds. The study concludes that it is likely that there will be some re-allocation of the assets of many pension funds and insurance companies toward (ultra-)long bonds. However, views differ as to the pace and magnitude of such a re-allocation.résumé La gestion de la dette publique et l’évolution du marché des titres d’État à (ultra) long terme La demande d’obligations à échéances éloignées a augmenté, sous l’effet de plusieurs facteurs : durcissement de la réglementation relative à la congruence des actifs et des passifs applicables aux fonds de pension, nouvelles normes comptables internationales et nouvelles réglementations fondées sur les risques pour les sociétés d’assurance. Dans plusieurs pays, les fonds de pension et les sociétés d’assurance sont de gros investisseurs en obligations à échéances éloignées. Les projections faisant état d’un vieillissement rapide des populations et de l’allongement de l’espérance de vie dans la plupart des pays de l’OCDE indiquent que la demande de titres à ultra long terme ne peut que s’accroître encore. Les gouvernements de plusieurs pays de l’OCDE réagissent à cette demande en introduisant ou réintroduisant des émissions de titres à très long terme (20 à 30 ans) et à ultra long terme (30 ans et plus), dès lors que ces émissions sont cohérentes avec leurs objectifs ‘coût-risque’ de minimisation du coût d’emprunt pour un niveau de risque préféré. On a donc assisté sur de nombreux marchés à une augmentation de l’offre d’obligations à (ultra) long terme en pourcentage de l’encours total d’obligations. Considération importante pour les émetteurs, les fonds de pension et les sociétés d’assurance sont dans une large mesure des investisseurs qui suivent une politique de type « acheter pour conserver ». Cela peut conduire à des marchés illiquides des titres à échéances éloignées lorsque l’offre de titres d’État à (ultra) long terme reste inférieure à un certain seuil critique, ce qui accroît les coûts d’emprunt des pouvoirs publics par rapport aux titres émis sur des marchés liquides. Du point de vue des émetteurs ayant une stratégie à moyen terme, un marché liquide des obligations à (ultra) long terme suppose des émissions substantielles et régulières de la part des gestionnaires de la dette publique. L’évolution des normes réglementaires et l’adoption des nouvelles normes de communication financière ont accru la tendance des fonds de pension à orienter leurs investissements en fonction de leurs engagements. Selon les conclusions de l’étude, on assistera probablement à une certaine réallocation des actifs de nombreux fonds de pension et sociétés d’assurance au profit des obligations à (ultra) long terme. Néanmoins, les avis divergent quant au rythme et à l’ampleur de ce phénomène.

Abstract: After a brief overview of current financing difficulties for SMEs and policy measures to support SME lending during the crisis,this article presents a literature review related to difficulties in SME’s access to finance during the crisis, against a background of a sharp decline in bank profitability and an erosion of bank capital that negatively affected lending. The articles reviewed are classified according to four main issues of interest:the impairment of the bank-credit channel and its economic effects;factors potentially attenuating the effect of a financial squeeze;the role of global banking in mitigating but also transmitting financial shocks; and,looking ahead,issues related to so-called “credit-less recoveries” that should be relevant in guiding policy makers in the current environment of financial deleveraging. All the results hold important implications for policy making given the bail-outs and the large injections ofliquidity by central banks during the crisis.

Abstract: Reducing bank dependence in financing small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are key contributors to economic growth and job creation should help making them more resilient to financial shocks. Various non-bank debt financing alternatives are available and were the focus of a Roundtable discussion that this article draws on. Revitalising securitisation, tarnished during the crisis, is important, by making it safer, simpler and more transparent, and perhaps also by offering some (initial) government and regulatory support. Similarly, covered bonds can be attractive instruments for SME finance. For mid-sized companies, bond issuance and private placements may also provide useful alternatives. All these instruments can and should be tailored to fit the investors’ needs. There is no “silver bullet” for SME finance which is exceptionally complex due to the diversity of SMEs themselves. Data transparency, standardisation, regulatory support and raising awareness about available financing options should be among the issues to be addressed. JEL classification: G1, G2, G23, G28 Keywords: SME finance, non-bank finance, (high-quality) securitisation, asset-backed securities (ABS), SME CLO (collateralised loan obligation), (covered) bonds, private placements, European DataWarehouse, Prime Collateralised Securities (PCS) initiative.

Abstract: Banks have been lowering their high pre-crisis leverage levels and are preparing for stricter regulatory capital requirements, and in the process have been reducing their lending. With the banking sector expected to shrink considerably, other actors, especially institutional investors, and new forms of financial intermediation will have to meet the credit needs of the economy. This may not only require enhancing and enlarging the perimeter of regulatory oversight, but may also need policy incentives to encourage new forms of market based lending, especially as it concerns financing long-term investment, including infrastructure, and SMEs. This was the background for the discussions at the April 2012 OECD Financial Roundtable that this note summarises. On the current outlook, participants agreed that recent policy actions in Europe have had a positive impact but more and longer-term policy actions will be needed to restore confidence among market participants and set the basis for recovery. Deleveraging is necessary but only about half-way completed. Regulatory reforms should support this process in a balanced way, avoid unintended consequences and help the transition towards increased non-bank intermediation by not imposing bank-like regulation on, e.g., insurance companies and hedge funds. Securitisation should be revitalised – perhaps with some (initial) government and regulatory support – to close the bank lending gap, especially for SME lending. Covered bonds can contribute in this, too, but their benefits may be limited, i.a. due to asset encumbrance. Mezzanine financing instruments could be useful for SME financing, and informal forms of equity financing could help small dynamic start-up companies.

Abstract: Monetary policy affects activity, and ultimately inflation, in a number of ways. The most important of these is generally considered to be through the effect of interest rates directly on the demand for goods by households and firms. However, monetary policy can also influence activity through its impact on the value of assets that, in turn, will influence the behaviour of households and firms; e.g. by changing wealth and, through an impact on balance sheets, borrowing costs. Recent financial market developments may have made these effects of monetary policy more important but at the same time less easy to predict. In particular, the size of financial markets has risen relative to activity and readily tradable assets are becoming increasingly important relative to other financial assets. Prices of such assets tend to be sensitive to shifts in market expectations about the future course of general economic developments and in particular interest rates. With these changing financial ...