International Financial Institutions or IFI’s

I.F.I. An International Financial Institution is any bank or similar business that that is established by and operates in more than one country

Multilateral Development Banks (MDB’s) Are international financial institutions that focus on helping poorer and less developed countries Using a market economy based approach The two most important are The International Monetary Fund The World Bank Both are branches of the UN

International Monetary Fund IMF The IMF promotes international monetary cooperation and exchange rate stability, facilitates the balanced growth of international trade, provides resources to help members in balance of payments difficulties or to assist with poverty reduction.

What the IMF Does… The IMF keeps track of the economic health of its member countries by gathering an analyzing economic data Alerts them about risks on the horizon and provides policy advice. It also lends to countries in difficulty, and provides technical assistance and training to help countries improve economic management.

World Bank The World Bank works specifically to end poverty It… Lends money to countries seeking to lower poverty rates Invests in the private sector and give business advice Settles investment and trade disputes

Regional Development Banks There are many smaller similar IFI’s and MBD’s that concentrate on specific regions such as… AfDB African Development Bank IsBD Islamic Development Bank CBD Caribbean Development Bank