The International Monetary Fund (IMF), an organization of 186 countries that works to “foster global monetary cooperation,” has recently launched an online database intended to offer the public access to “financial access indicators” such as the availability of automated teller machines, amount of deposits, presence of bank branch networks, availability of loans, types of debt securities issued and types of insurance. The purpose of the database is to help policymakers determine the effectiveness of financial institutions over time.

According to Adelheid Burgi-Schmelz, Director of the Statistics Department at IMF, “This database will help researchers and policy-makers by broadening our understanding of the reach and impact of basic financial services provision around the world. As we add survey results year by year, the database will become an increasingly useful tool for everyone working in this field” [1]. The database can be found at http://fas.imf.org/.

By Julia Korn, Research Associate

About the International Monetary Fund (IMF):

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 186 countries intending to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, reduce poverty around the world and promote employment and sustainable economic growth. The IMF was created after the Second World War to oversee the international monetary system, to ensure exchange rate stability and to encourage members to eliminate exchange restrictions that hinder trade.

Sources and Additional Resources:

[1] International Monetary Fund. “IMF Unveils Online Financial Access Database” on June 30, 2010. http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2010/pr10270.htm

MicroCapital Universe. International Monetary Fund. http://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Int…

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