This report is one of a series of best practice papers that stem from a regional conference on the development of mortgage securitization held at the IDB. Using Mexico as an example, this paper focuses on the elements of the primary mortgage market that are relevant to establish a secondary...

The search for solutions to urban and social problems prompted by informal settlements is gaining importance in the development agenda of most large cities in Latin America. Nearly 60 percent of the population lives in informal, often centrally located settlements.

Los desastres naturales han repercutido en las perspectivas de desarrollo de muchos de los países de América Latina y el Caribe. Nicaragua está al frente de esta infortunada realidad, estando localizada en una de las zonas del mundo más propensa a amenazas naturales. Con el fin de apoyar a...

Since 2007, the state of New Mexico has invested $2.45 million to support Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) for New Mexico savers. This funding provides a much-needed local match required by federal IDA funding, which was awarded through the Assets for Independence Act.

The national Community Action program began in the 1960s to serve as a focal point in local communities for the war on poverty. Programs were established in a majority of counties across the U.S., including some in rural areas. Many programs continue to thrive today, and in mostly rural southern...

This study was prepared for the Financial Services and Poverty Reduction research project and was presented at the conference with the same name held at Bank headquarters in September of 2004. It first establishes the considerable welfare cost borne by the region's poor when facing uncovered...

This paper outlines some of the issues that affect small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in three areas: regulation, procurement, and dispute resolution. The work presented herein is part of the Bank's most recent efforts to develop new approaches and instruments to strengthen its role as a...