Financial Ethics Index (FEI)

QLM-FE covers 115 countries and measures factors that have a direct influence on meeting international obligations but cannot be assessed through regularly published statistics. The structure of QLM-FE and the criteria are identified below:

The Expert Opinion

Please refer to the Explanation of the Criteria page for a more complete description of the methodology. BERI S.A.’s exclusive panels of professionals with financial responsibilities and many years of experience in a region of the world submit their assessments for QLM-FE each year. Senior staff members of the firm also enter their viewpoint.

This combination of judgment and perspective by a statistically relevant number of experts greatly increases the accuracy of the average rating. (The highest and lowest ratings are automatically discarded to moderate opinion.)

Considerable research has been undertaken in 2003 to support the contributing panel members and senior staff making the subjective assessments. A version of the Delphi technique is used to obtain convergence within panel and staff ratings for the 115 countries.

The Original QLM-FE Study

In December 2000 QLM-FE was ordered by the Research Department of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank). The ratings were being used for internal projects. It was agreed that this multi-client report would provide criteria ratings for each of the 115 countries for the years 1985, 1990, 1995, and 1997-2010.

Country List for QLM-Fe:

Algeria
Estonia
Latvia
Singapore
Angola
Finland
Lebanon
Slovak Republic
Argentina
France
Libya
Slovenia
Armenia
Gabon
Lithuania
Spain
Australia
Georgia
Malawi
Sri Lanka
Austria
Germany
Malaysia
Sweden
Azerbaijan
Ghana
Mauritius
Switzerland
Bahrain
Greece
Mexico
Syria
Bangladesh
Guatemala
Moldova
Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Belgium
Honduras
Morocco
Tanzania
Bolivia
Hong Kong
Mozambique
Thailand
Brazil
Hungary
Nepal
Trinidad & Tobago
Bulgaria
Iceland
Netherlands
Tunisia
Cambodia
India
New Zealand
Turkey
Canada
Indonesia
Nigeria
Turkmenistan
Chile
Iran
Norway
Uganda
China (P.R.C.)
Iraq
Oman
Ukraine
Colombia
Ireland
Pakistan
United Arab Emirates
Congo, Democratic Republic of
Israel
Panama
United Kingdom
Congo, Republic of
Italy
Papau New Guinea
United States
Costa Rica
Jamaica
Paraguay
Uruguay
Croatia
Japan
Peru
Uzbekistan
Cuba
Jordan
Philippines
Venezuela
Cyprus
Kazakstan
Poland
Vietnam
Czech Republic
Kenya
Portugal
Yemen
Denmark
Korea (R.O.K.)
Romania
Zambia
Dominican Republic
Kuwait
Russia
Zimbabwe
Ecuador
Kyrgyz Republic
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Lao, People’s Democratic Republic
Senegal


Structure of this Report

The details for each country in the primary QLM-FE file are linked to separate Excel files (Office 2000) for each of the eleven criteria.

This gives divisions by alphabetical order and by ranking for any year. Almost any combination of tables and graphics can be published from these computer programs.

Both the E-mail attachment and CD-ROM methods of delivering the report have a Guide to the Files. This explains what is in each file, including worksheets that have the alphabetical listings and rankings for QLM-FE and for each criterion.

Weighting
Level of resolve toward honoring international obligations
3.0
Foreign loan structure and terms:
Range, concessionary to short term
2.0
Current market terms
1.0
Corruption in financial transactions:
Direct fraud
2.0
Indirect diversion of funds
1.5
Concessionary loans and grants:
Level of access
1.5
Influence of strategic importance
1.5
Net technocratic competence:
Overall assessment
2.5
Political interference
1.5
Legal framework:
Convertibility for principal, interest,fees
2.0
Taxation constraints
1.5
The 11 criteria listed above have a weighted total of 20.
Each criterion is rated from 5 (best case) to zero (worst case).
Therefore, a perfect country would receive a score of 100 (20 x 5).