US and UK top financial index
Article Date: Sep 09 2008The US and the UK have the best financial systems in the world, according to an index launched by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Defying the credit crisis, slowing growth and recent high-profile institutional collapses, the US takes first place with the UK a close second, both countries outstripping the rest of the top ten by a significant margin.
The WEF index studies 52 countries and regions considered to have world-leading financial systems, assessing criteria such as the environment for business, financial stability, the size and depth of capital markets, and ease of access to capital.
Germany takes third place in the ranking, followed by Japan, Canada, France, Switzerland, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Singapore.
Although the US and UK top the survey, the report highlights areas of concern in both countries, including ‘distortionary’ tax policies in the US and the high cost of doing business in the UK.
The index and accompanying report aim to promote good financial systems to developing countries, according to Kevin Steinberg, COO of the WEF USA.
Says Steinberg, ‘We hope this report will draw attention to the pivotal role of financial systems to spur economic development and act as a catalyst for reform and change.’
