Last Updated: August 20, 2008

Financial Stability

Renewed financial stress has made raising additional capital more difficult for banks, IMF says in latest assessment (photo: Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

A year after the subprime market crisis erupted in the United States, triggering financial market turmoil around the world, global financial markets continue to be fragile and systemic risks remain elevated.

Latest News

Market Stresses Testing Managers of Public Debt

August 8, 2008
Rising inflation, slowing world growth, and continued fallout from the U.S. subprime crisis are making business tougher for those who manage public debt around the world.

EU Economy Slows as Euro Marks Milestone

August 5, 2008
The Euro area currently faces decelerating growth and uncomfortably high inflation ten years after heads of state of the EU approved the introduction of the euro in 11 EU member states.

Financial Markets: Getting the Incentives Right

May 30, 2008
Correcting the problems that led to the financial market crisis of 2007-8 will not be easy, given the faulty incentives that created the crisis are entrenched in the marketplace and in regulatory systems.

Global Financial Strains Remain

May 20, 2008
The IMF sees continued risks to global financial stability despite some signs of normalization in global credit markets.

Strauss-Kahn: Global Economy Caught Between Slowdown and Inflation

April 9, 2008
At a press conference to open the IMF Spring Meetings, Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn offers an update on the global economic outlook and risks, and on IMF reforms.

IMF Predicts Slower World Growth Amid Serious Market Crisis

April 9, 2008
The IMF's World Economic Outlook sees global growth decelerating in 2008, led by a sharp slowdown in the United States, and amid a housing correction and spreading financial crisis.

The Financial Market Crisis and Risks for Latin America

March 17, 2008
Speech and PowerPoint Presentation by Anoop Singh, Director of the Western Hemisphere Department Deputy Managing Director

Policy Overview

Lessons from the Financial Market Crisis

February 13, 2008
By Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF Managing Director 

Sovereign Wealth Funds

Board approves new work agenda on SWFs

March 21, 2008
Work to be coordinated with SWFs and OECD.

IMF steps up work on SWFs

March 4, 2008
SWFs may grow to $6-10 trillion in next five years.

Local Bond Markets

IMF Helping Fill Global Securities Data Gap

March 20, 2008
The challenges of compiling securities statistics.

IMF Helps Develop Local Bond Markets

January 2, 2008
In line with G-8 plan.

Public Debt Management

IMF Develops New Risk Measures Tools for Public Debt

March 20, 2008
Method helps determine sustainable public debt strategy.

Related Links

Global Financial Stability Reports

Data and Statistics

Key Issues Pages:

Economic Analysis and Policy Advice

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Globalization

Factsheets:

How the IMF Promotes Global Economic Stability

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Transparency in Monetary and Financial Policies

Vulnerability Indicators

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Spotlight

IMF Gloomy on Growth, Sees Rising Inflation Threat

July 17, 2008
The IMF expects global growth to slow significantly in the second half of the year, before recovering gradually in 2009.

IMF Warns of Rising Inflation Risk in Latin America

June 24, 2008
IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn voiced concern about inflationary pressures in Latin America, saying countries in the region need to act decisively.

Research and Publications

Price Surge Driving Some Countries Close to Tipping Point

July 1, 2006
A new IMF study warns the impact of surging oil and food prices is being felt most by import-dependent poor and middle-income countries confronted by balance of payments problems, higher inflation, and worsening poverty.

Domestic Financial Reforms Attract FDI

March 24, 2008
IMF study highlights importance of financial reform.

Why Did Financial Globalization not Deliver the Goods?

March 2008
Paper by Dani Rodrik (Harvard) and Arvind Subramanian (Peterson Institute).

IMF study points to gaps in Securities Markets Regulation

February 4, 2008
Article on IMF Working Paper

Central Bank Financial Strength, Policy Constraints and Inflation

February 1, 2008
IMF Working Paper finds that central bank financial strength is positively associated with good policy performance.