Why are sound financial systems important?

A country's financial system includes its banks, securities markets, pension and mutual funds, insurers, market infrastructures, central bank, as well as regulatory and supervisory authorities. These institutions and markets provide a framework for carrying out economic transactions and monetary policy, and help to efficiently channel savings into investment, thereby supporting economic growth. Problems in financial systems not only disrupt financial intermediation, but they can also undermine the effectiveness of monetary policy, exacerbate economic downturns, trigger capital flight and exchange rate pressures, and create large fiscal costs related to rescuing troubled financial institutions. Moreover, with increasing connectivity among financial institutions and tighter financial and trade linkages between countries, financial shocks in one jurisdiction can rapidly spill over across financial sectors and national borders. Therefore, resilient financial systems that are well-regulated and well-supervised are essential for both domestic and international economic and financial stability.

How the IMF helps to promote financial system soundness

The IMF promotes financial system soundness in member countries through its ongoing bilateral and multilateral surveillance, the design of its lending programs, and the provision of technical assistance. A Financial Sector Assessment Handbook, published by the IMF and World Bank in September 2005, provides an overview of key issues and sound practices in the assessment of financial systems and in the design of policy responses, including regarding the use and dissemination of Financial Soundness Indicators.

Bilateral Surveillance is the process of regular dialogue and policy advice that the IMF is mandated to provide to all its members, covering their macroeconomic and financial developments and policies, and known as Article IV consultations. In order to deepen the coverage of financial system issues in this process, the Fund introduced in 1999 the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) to provide member countries with a comprehensive evaluation of their financial systems. FSAPs in advanced economies are conducted solely by the IMF. In developing and emerging market countries, they are conducted jointly with the World Bank, which provides a developmental perspective. FSAPs aim to better identify financial system strengths and weaknesses, as well as potential sources of systemic risk, and thereby lessen the frequency and diminish the intensity of financial system problems.

Multilateral Surveillance introduces a multi-country or global perspective to surveillance. Indeed, as economies and financial systems are increasingly integrated, many relevant issues span multiple jurisdictions and spillovers from one country or financial system to another occur frequently. The IMF's Global Financial Stability Report takes a multilateral perspective on financial stability and assesses key financial market developments and risks with a view to identify systemic vulnerabilities. Other examples of multilateral surveillance include the semiannual Early Warning Exercise, carried out by the IMF jointly with the Financial Stability Board, the Vulnerability Exercise, and regional financial sector surveillance projects covering Central America, the West African Economic and Monetary Union, and the European Union.

Effective financial surveillance at the bilateral and multilateral levels has become a key strategic priority for the IMF.

IMF-supported programs often include measures to strengthen member countries' financial systems. In addition to providing financial assistance, the IMF assists members in identifying and diagnosing financial system problems; designing strategies for systemic reforms and bank restructuring; and ensuring that such strategies are consistent with, and supported by, appropriate macroeconomic and other structural policies. Examples of programs with important financial sector components include Greece, Iceland, and Ireland.

Technical assistance provided by the IMF helps member countries to implement specific reforms to develop and strengthen their financial system. Such assistance may include training and advice on monetary and macroprudential policy frameworks, debt management, foreign exchange and capital market development, the design of payment systems and deposit insurance arrangements, regulatory and supervisory frameworks governing the activities of financial institutions, and strategies for crisis management and bank resolution.