FINANCIAL SECTOR SUPERVISION UNIT

Transcription

1 Government of St. Lucia FINANCIAL SECTOR SUPERVISION UNIT Banking and Finance in Small States Workshop Curtis S. Paul, Financial Regulator, MBA

2 2 The Way Ahead

3 3 The Way Ahead

4 Demographics of St. Lucia The population of St. Lucia is just over 175,000, which is evenly divided between urban And rural areas, although the capital, Castries, contains more than one-third of the population. Despite a high emigration rate, the population is growing rapidly, about 1.2% per year.

5 Infant mortality rate: deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: years male: years female: years (2000 est.) Ethnic groups :African people 80%, Mixed race 13%, East Indian 2.4%, White 1.0%, and East Asians, Middle eastern people and Latin Americans 3.6%. Religions: Roman Catholic 70%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3%, and other (i.e. Hinduism or Islam) and unspecified 20%. Languages: English (official), Antillean Creole (French patois), Broken English

6 Evolution of Financial Services Regulation in St. Lucia Fiscal Policy Division Fiscal Policy Division IFSU FSSU FSRA D. Banks D. Insurance Insurance Act Registrar of Insurance Registrar of Insurance Director, Financial Sector Supervision Registrar of Insurance Director, Financial Sector Supervision Registrar of Insurance Director, Financial Sector Supervision D. Banks D. Insurance Int l insurance Int l banks Mutual funds Registered agents & Trustees Money Laundering (Prevention) Money services Cell companies Credit unions

7 Director, FSS & Registrar of Insurance Insurance Consultant Administrative Secretary Deputy Director Offshore Regulator 111 Regulator 111 2) Regulator 11 Regulator 11 Regulator 1 Regulator 1 2)Ass. Regulator Ass. Regulator

8 Size Entities 2010/2011 Registered Agents and Trustees 23 International Insurance Companies 27 Incorporated Cell Companies 5 Incorporated Cells 11 International Private Mutual Funds 8 International Public Mutual Funds 2 International Public Mutual Fund Administrators 3 International Public Mutual Fund Managers 2 International Banks 7 Domestic Banks and Non-Banks 14 Domestic Insurance Companies 27 Domestic Insurance Agents 18 Domestic Insurance Brokers 15 Total Number of Entities 162 Domestic Insurance Salesmen (number of certificates) 164 Domestic Pension Fund Plans 11

9 Dimension of Service Information sharing Licensing services Registration Customer Support Supervision Legislative Review

10 FSSU s Operating Network ECCB Min. of Finance FIA FSRA Other Regulatory Bodies Registrar of IBC Registrar of Companies

11 Mission Statement Our mission is to maintain the integrity of the Financial Sector through efficient and effective administration of the laws and regulations, application of best international standards and practices, and effective supervision of registered entities operating in the sector. Vision Our vision is to become the most efficient and effective regulatory authority within the Caribbean Region.

12 Objectives Our objectives are to fulfill our general and specific responsibilities enshrined in the respective legislations, to develop a sound financial system, boost market confidence, ensure consumer protection, to ensure that the legislative framework is effective, appropriate and consistent with international standards and best practices, and promote Saint Lucia s reputation as efficient financial jurisdiction. Values Our core values are: integrity, accountability, honesty, loyalty and fidelity.

13 SWO of the Primary Functions Small financial Sector Staff with tertiary education Limited financial resources Limited training programmes STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES implementation of statistical measures for risk based regulation

14 Financial Services Reform in St. Lucia FSSU FSSU FSRA Registrar of Insurance Director, Financial Sector Supervision Registrar of Insurance Director, Financial Sector Supervision Registrar of Insurance Director, Financial Sector Supervision Int l insurance Int l banks Mutual funds Registered agents & Trustees Money Laundering (Prevention) Money services Credit unions

15 Expected Opportunities Achieving a more efficient and effective level of regulation: Enhanced customer satisfaction Drive staff motivation Influx of new entities in the jurisdiction Comprehensive regulation of financial sector Increase in revenue generation

16 Staffs ability to cope with the increase in new applications. The need for updated technological equipment. Need for capacity building of employees to face emerging industry demands. Understanding best regulatory practice for companies with complex ownership structures. Poor buy in by industry/stakeholders. Poor enforcement of statue Possible Challenges

17 Possible Future Implications Poor buy in by stakeholders Inefficient enforcement of statue Inefficient operational performance of regulatory authority due to a more diverse and increased portfolio of regulated entities

18 1. Do nothing Alternatives 2. Seek government assistance to fund training programmes and develop operational capacity 3. Establish strategic relationships with other financial services and regulatory institutions 4. Seek technical assistance from regional & international regulatory bodies.

19 Action Plan Alternatives 2) Seek government assistance to fund training programmes and develop operational capacity Implementing Entity Estimated Time Frame Resources FSSU ongoing Monetary Advanced computers Concessions Equipment Expected outcomes More efficient and affective services Better rating for jurisdiction Influx of applications Effective regulation

20 Action Plan Alternatives 3) Establish strategic relationships with other financial services institutions and regulatory bodies Implementing Entity Estimated Time Frame Resources FSRA Ongoing Develop networking skills Establishing MOUs Signing bilateral agreements between states Expected outcomes More sponsorships of training programmes Sharing of information between agencies Enhanced human and technical capacity

21 Action Plan Alternatives 3) Seek technical assistance from regional & international regulatory bodies. Implementing Entity Estimated Time Frame Resources FSRA ongoing Develop networking skills Establishing MOUs Signing bilateral agreements between states Expected outcomes More efficient and affective services Better rating for jurisdiction Influx of applications Effective regulation

22 THE END