Financial sector deepening
 
The application of fundamental economic tools to analyse the financial sector has enabled us to tackle a wide range of assignments for both the private and public sectors. Below we list examples of our expertise.

		Financial sector analysis – reviewing the performance of national and regional financial sectors, financial modelling, identifying the gaps and targeting technical assistance, aid and capital flows and supporting external debt reduction.
		Financial sector liberalisation – analysis of the impact and sequencing of foreign exchange and interest rate liberalisation and reducing constraints on capital flows.
		Financial sector regulation – advice on prudential regulation of banks, securities markets, insurance, credit unions, the offshore sector, and the institutional arrangements for regulation and its legal framework.
		Microfinance – advice on business plans, systems design, capacity building, strengthening the supervisory environment and impact assessment and targeting.
		Financial risk management – develop techniques, systems and procedures to enable clients to identify, manage and reduce their financial risks.
		Financial institution and market development – we have helped to establish leasing companies, venture capital funds, loan guarantee schemes, stock exchanges, credit rating agencies, foreign exchange markets and regulatory bodies.

Banking sector reform
 
At the macro level we have assisted Central Banks and Finance Ministries where our work has included advising on market liberalisation, monetary policy, supervision and regulation. At the micro level we have supported bank restructuring and reviewed privatisation options. We have assisted banks with strategy issues, such as corporate development, market assessment and market entry. We present below examples of our expertise in banking.

		Bank supervision and regulation – review of bank sector stability, early warning systems, deposit insurance schemes and on and off site inspections.
		Monetary policy – policy formulation, analysis of transmission mechanisms and the impact of financial sector liberalisation
		Support to banks in difficulty – portfolio appraisal, crisis management, bad debt workout, and the creation of recovery funds and debt to equity schemes.
		Support to commercial banks – support in areas such as asset and liability management, credit, project appraisal, foreign exchange, marketing, new product development, MIS, organisational systems and human resources.
		Support to development banks – strengthening loan portfolios and appraisal criteria, reducing costs and improving the flow of funds to entrepreneurs.
		Training – training need analysis, the design and delivery of customised training modules and the organisation of study tours.

Social Protection, Insurance and
Collective Investments Development
 
Maxwell Stamp's work in pensions and social insurance focuses particularly on the development of institutions for implementing multi-pillar pensions systems, developing private health insurance and reviewing the financing of social assistance. We bridge the gap between academic approaches to social protection and the management consulting approach. Our capability includes:

		Pensions – assessing the actuarial soundness of PAYG schemes and advising on parametric and administrative reforms. Review of the institutional structures and regulatory framework necessary for introducing private pension funds.
		Policy analysis – analysis of the impact of welfare systems on the population and the financial and labour markets. Conduct of public expenditure reviews.
		Assessment of financial markets – review of markets and supervisory and regulatory standards to assess their suitability for expanded private sector social insurance provision. Individual and sectoral analysis of fund performance.
		Health care financing – establishment of health insurance schemes and their incorporation into national health plans.
		Poverty alleviation – design of mechanisms to maximise the reach and impact of social safety nets for the very poor and the informal sector. Conduct of large-scale surveys to assess needs and to target social assistance.
		Public awareness – design of materials and multi-media strategies and campaigns to explain clearly new policy and product developments.

Municipal Finance Reform
 
In Maxwell Stamp we understand the importance of local government financing. As the central government decentralises some of its responsibilities the local government has to ensure the appropriate provision of local services. Obtaining the funding for these services can be harder for small municipalities and those sparsely populated given the reduced ability to obtain revenues from taxes and a transfer system based on population size.

The range of our services offerings to municipal government includes: Preparation of feasibility studies; Investment appraisal; Design of tariff structures and transfer systems; Restructuring and capacity building of institutions; Training needs analysis and training; Development of MIS and IT systems; Modelling demand; Contracting out of services; Examination of private participation in infrastructure projects; and Privatisation and concessions.