Banking & Financial Services News on Globe Banner

Latest News


Banking & Financial Services

Western Balkans report outlines $69 billion investment plan for climate neutrality by 2050

The Western Balkans 6 Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) examines how the region can enhance climate adaptation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to meet broader development goals. This comprehensive report covers six economies of the Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.


Banking & Financial Services

Tajikistan's robust growth tempered by structural challenges

The Tajikistan Economic Update is an annual report that analyzes recent economic developments, prospects, and policy issues in Tajikistan.


Banking & Financial Services

Key highlights from CPIA Africa report on structural reforms

The Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) for Africa is an annual diagnostic tool for Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries eligible for financing from the International Development Association (IDA), a part of the World Bank that assists low-income countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans. The CPIA Report aims to capture the quality of each country’s policies and institutional arrangements, focusing on elements within the country’s control. The scores assess sustainable growth and poverty reduction supported through existing frameworks.


Banking & Financial Services

Tanzania's integrated justice centers improve access for women and families

DAR ES SALAAM, July 16, 2024 — Fatuma Mbaruku, a 38-year-old mother of four, traveled from Azimio to the Temeke Integrated Justice Center to file for custody and support for her children following her 2023 divorce.


Banking & Financial Services

Caribbean institute launches platforms to boost environmental sustainability

Port of Spain, 28 June 2024 – In 2023, the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) launched two online platforms aimed at enhancing environmental stewardship and sustainable development efforts across the Caribbean. The Caribbean Resilience Knowledge Platform and the Caribbean Local Green-Blue Enterprises (LGEs) Knowledge Platform serve as dynamic hubs for individuals, communities, and organizations to share knowledge, ideas, and solutions.


Banking & Financial Services

Jamaican farmers adapt to climate change with new strategies

Arlette Dunkley-Fullerton, a farmer in Jamaica's Cockpit Country Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), has observed significant changes in rainfall patterns and crop growing seasons over the past 20 years. "The work that Jamaica Environment Trust did to help us plan for climate change in our area was not just informative about climate change, it was an eye-opener, especially for the group members," says Arlette, who is also Vice President of the South East Cockpit Country Local Forest Management Committee Benevolent Society.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank stresses need for competitive neutrality in Tajikistan's economic growth

Tajikistan's economy has demonstrated significant growth in recent years, with an expansion of 8.3% in 2023 and 8.2% in early 2024, according to the World Bank’s latest Tajikistan Economic Update released today. The report attributes this growth to increased revenues from gold exports and substantial public infrastructure spending. Additionally, robust worker remittances and public wage increases have bolstered domestic demand, contributing to overall poverty reduction.


Banking & Financial Services

New CPIA report highlights Sub-Saharan Africa's resilience amid global shocks

Accra, July 16, 2024—The annual Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) for Africa confirms that countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) weathered 2023 relatively well thanks to credible economic and social policy reforms. In particular, governments and central banks have started to shift attention from weathering global shocks to building credibility, capacity, and transparency.


Banking & Financial Services

Antiguan women lead local conservation efforts supported by international funding

Port of Spain, 28 June 2024 – “Growing up, people weren’t telling us to be marine ecologists; people weren’t telling us to go out and study the environment,” recalls Johnella Bradshaw of the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) in Antigua and Barbuda. Instead, Johnella and her peers were encouraged to pursue careers in law and medicine. But once Johnella discovered her passion for the environment, she realized the importance of conservation. “We understand why people were pushing those career paths our way, but we survive on this earth, on our island, and if we are not...


Banking & Financial Services

Trade facilitation program aims for inclusive growth in MENA region

The Trade Facilitation Support Program in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, funded by the Government of Sweden, aims to streamline trade processes, reduce costs, and enhance connectivity. The initiative is designed to boost regional and international trade by aligning with international standards and focusing on inclusive growth. This approach is expected to drive economic development, reduce poverty, and create opportunities across the MENA region.


Banking & Financial Services

Pacific Regional Trade Facilitation Strategy aims to streamline trade processes

The Pacific Regional Trade Facilitation Strategy, developed with support from the World Bank, aims to assist Pacific Island Forum (PIF) members in implementing national trade facilitation reforms. These reforms are designed to reduce administrative barriers such as excessive documentation, complex border procedures, and inefficient regulations that increase costs and delays in trade, thereby hindering economic development.


Banking & Financial Services

Germany partners with World Bank on strengthening education in the Sahel

BERLIN, WASHINGTON D.C., July 15, 2024 - German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze, and World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa, Ousmane Diagana, have agreed to strengthen their partnership under a joint initiative to support education and skills development in the Sahel.


Banking & Financial Services

IFC selects Freshfields for review of CAO's Bridge International Academies probe

The Board of Executive Directors of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced today that they have selected the global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman’s (CAO) investigation of IFC’s investment in Bridge International Academies.


Banking & Financial Services

Binance Head of Law Enforcement Training: 'we often provide hands-on investigation assistance' to law enforcement

Jarek Jakubcek, the head of Law Enforcement Training at the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, stated that his team assists law enforcement agencies in investigating cybercrimes involving cryptocurrencies. Jakubcek shared this information in a July 11 post on Binance's website.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank approves funding for Botswana's renewable energy initiatives

GABORONE, July 12, 2024 - The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved its first lending operation supporting renewable energy development in Botswana. The Botswana Renewable Energy Support and Access Accelerator (RESA) Project, approved on July 11, 2024, aims to transform the country’s energy landscape through enabling renewable solutions and improved electricity access.


Banking & Financial Services

Jamaica attracts $520M private investment with World Bank support

Jamaica, like many countries in the region, faces significant infrastructure deficits in key sectors such as transport, energy, water, telecommunications, and social services. According to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the infrastructure investment gap in Latin America and the Caribbean is estimated at US$150 billion per year.



Banking & Financial Services

World Bank Group launches new framework for resilient growth in Tanzania

The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors has endorsed a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Tanzania. This initiative aims to support the nation in consolidating its middle-income status, achieving high levels of human development, and contributing to the World Bank Group’s mission to end extreme poverty and boost prosperity on a livable planet.


Banking & Financial Services

World Bank provides additional funding for hydropower project in Kyrgyz Republic

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved $13.6 million in additional financing to supplement the ongoing $5 million Technical Assistance for Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant (HPP) Project in the Kyrgyz Republic. The project aims to support the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in preparing the Kambarata-1 HPP project sustainably.


Banking & Financial Services

FFIEC releases comprehensive report on mortgage lending activities in U.S.for23

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 11, 2024) – The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) today published data on 2023 mortgage lending transactions reported under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) by 5,113 U.S. financial institutions, including banks, savings associations, credit unions, and mortgage companies.