CIAO DATE: 10/2011
September 2011
This brief provides an overview of the IMF's structure, membership, governance, and lending operations. The primary role of the International Monetary Fund is to promote stability of the international monetary system, the system of exchange rates and international payments that enables countries to transact with one another. To do so, the IMF provides financial assistance in the form of loans to help member countries address balance-of-payments problems, stabilize their economies, and restore sustainable economic growth. The IMF also carries out technical assistance and surveillance activities that help strengthen underlying economic fundamentals of member countries and the global financial systems at large.
Resource link: International Monetary Fund (ABCs of the IFIs Brief) [PDF] - 315K