Articles
Institutional reforms: A source of productivity gains for the Spanish economy
Autores:
Arias, Xosé Carlos
Spain’s declining total factor productivity is partially attributed to institutional weaknesses in areas such as transparency, the justice system, regulation, and government coordination. If left unaddressed, it could undermine Spain’s successful transition to the digital/green economy.
The outlook for the deficit: The calm before the storm
Autores:
Lago Peñas, Santiago
It will require a concerted effort to bring down Spain’s deficit and debt levels, involving higher annual reductions than those prior to the pandemic. However, it is not just the central government which needs to address this issue, with many regional governments facing financial challenges…
The Spanish housing market post COVID-19
While COVID-19 did lead to an initial correction in Spain’s housing market, costs of homepurchases have continued to rise, albeit with some differences across regions and type of housing. This has furthered a debate around housing affordability, including some misguided calls for rent controls.
Decoupling between non-performance and provisions
Surprisingly, Spain saw its banks’ non-performance ratio fall during the crisis alongside a significant provisioning effort. However, if banks are to absorb their pandemic-related losses by the end of 2022, they will need to step up their provisioning by 20-25% compared to 1Q2021 levels.
Forbearance patterns at Spanish banks: Impact of COVID-19
Autores:
Maudos, Joaquín
Government support measures such as the furlough scheme and payment moratoria have artificially held down a rise in Spanish banks’ NPL ratios. However, recent trends in forborne exposures relative to Spain’s previous performance and that of the eurozone average suggest NPLs could rise once these…