Working Group on Securities Database (WGSD)

In July 2007, the Working Group on Securities Databases (WGSD), originally established in 1999, was reconvened in response to various international initiatives and recommendations to improve information on securities markets. The members of the WGSD are the IMF (chair), the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the European Central Bank (ECB), and the World Bank. Selected experts from national central banks, who have participated actively in various international groups that have identified the need to improve data on securities markets, have also been invited to contribute to the deliberations of the WGSD.

The call for better data on securities includes those from the Committee on the Global Financial System (CGFS) and Finance Ministers of the G-8. In particular the Report on Financial Stability and Local Currency Bond Markets by the CGFS highlighted the "lack of good, comparable data on local currency bond markets."

At its meeting during September 27-28, 2007 in Washington, D.C., the WGSD also agreed to produce a Handbook on Securities Statistics. The outline and timetable for the Handbook, which will focus initially on debt securities issues and to be completed by around April 2009, are now available. The draft of this Handbook will be posted on this website for public comment by around February 2009.