Problem Loans in the Caribbean: Determinants, Impact and Strategies for Resolution

Kimberly Beaton, Thomas Dowling, Dmitriy Kovtun, Franz Loyola, Alla Myrvoda, Joel Chiedu Okwuokei, Inci Ötker-Robe () and Jarkko Turunen

No 2017/230, IMF Working Papers from International Monetary Fund

Abstract: The high level of nonperforming loans (NPLs) in the Caribbean has been, in large part, a legacy of the global financial crisis, but their persistence owes much to the weak economic recovery in the region, as well as to structural obstacles to their resolution. A comprehensive strategy is needed to address these impediments to sever the adverse feedback loops between weak economic activity and weak asset quality. This paper finds that NPLs are a drag on Caribbean growth and macro-financial links are strong: a deterioration in asset quality hinders bank lending and dampens economic activity, undermining, in turn, efforts to resolve problem loans. A multifaceted approach is needed, involving a combination of macro- economic policies to support growth and employment; strong supervisory frameworks to ensure macro-financial stability and create incentives for resolution; efforts to address informational gaps and deficiencies in insolvency and debt-enforcement frameworks; and development of markets for distressed loans. The institutional capacity constraints require coordination of reforms within the region and support from international organizations through capacity-building.

Keywords: WP; NPL ratio; asset quality; NPL resolution; economic activity; Macro-financial linkages; nonperforming loans; resolution; the Caribbean; affect bank lending; Loans; Distressed assets; Credit; Collateral; Caribbean; Global (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 54
Date: 2017-11-07
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