Because your industry has taken a lead in learning from the past, in leading the changes needed and in having a sense of your responsibility to the wider economy. Yours is a model of engagement for others to emulate. And I look forward to continuing to work together. Thank you. BIS central bankers’ speeches  5
Although Zambia did not experience bank failures during the current global crisis, work on the establishment of the deposit protection scheme is currently in progress. Quick bank resolution is also an essential element that inspires confidence in the financial system. In Zambia, for instance, work on liquidations has been going on for some time in some cases. The establishment of an effective depositor protection scheme should assist in early bank resolutions while providing protection to the most vulnerable depositors. Chairperson, although the Bank of Zambia has exercised the function of lender of last resort (LOLR) in the past during the banking crisis in the 1990s, there was no clear LOLR policy framework in place. There has been renewed concern that the economic slowdown, if prolonged, could create liquidity pressures in the banking system in Zambia. Past  BIS Review 63/2010  3  experiences and current global slowdown build a strong case for a clearly designed LOLR framework in which the central bank can exercise this function. The challenge in the regulatory and supervisory arrangements is that of operationalising the lender of last resort. Lender of last resort should be seen in light of its role in promoting wider public good and systemic financial stability and ultimately, the wider economic stability. It plays an important role in the economy to avoid the social cost of a bank failure. Some bank failures may lead to contagion effect on other banks which has the potential to transmit to the entire economy.