While the MAS’ conservative regulatory and supervisory framework helped local
banks weather a series of adverse shocks, it may also serve to constrain local banks’
future growth. Local banks have consistently reported strong returns on assets, but, because
they are highly capitalized, their equity returns are somewhat modest compared with many
internationally active banks. The authorities are reviewing the rules for computing banks’
CARs, the process of setting bank-specific capital requirements based on the risk profile and
risk management capabilities of individual banks, and the regulatory minimum requirements for
capital, which are currently significantly above Basel Accord requirements.
7. A further deepening of the corporate bond market would help diversify funding
sources for the corporate sector. Notwithstanding a number of recent initiatives to facilitate
market development, the corporate bond market in Singapore is not yet at an advanced stage of
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development. Market growth has been constrained by the size and structure of the domestic
economy and ample liquidity in the banking system. To further boost bond market activity, it is
recommended that the authorities review and address factors that may constrain the corporate
bond market. These factors include the limited use of credit ratings, the guaranteed interest rates
of the CPF (a fully funded mandatory pension scheme with the total assets of 66 percent of
GDP), and the CPF investment policy which segments large long-term funds from local capital
markets.