Cross–country convergence of financial reforms

Abstract

Financial liberalization indicators are tested for sigma convergence and divergence. Sigma convergence requires a significant reduction in the dispersion across nations over time whereas sigma divergence entails a significant increase in dispersion. Using the standard deviation and a linear trend, sigma divergence is supported for an index of capital accounts openness, but sigma convergence is supported for an index of domestic financial sector liberalization. Using instead the coefficient of variation, which accounts for the upward trend in each of the measures, strong evidence is found in support of sigma convergence for both measures. This latter result holds for both advanced and developing nations.