A new database on the structure and development of the financial sector

This article introduces a neu, database of indicators of financial structur e and financial development across countries and over time. The database is unique in that it combines a wide variety of indicators that measure the s ize, activity, and efficiency of financial intermediaries and markets. It i mproves on previous efforts by presenting data on the public share bf comme rcial banks, introducing indicators of the size and activity of nonbank fin ancial institutions, and constructing measures of the size of bond and prim ary equity markets.