The Stand-by Arrangement (SBA)
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The last update was in April 2025
Learn more about IMF lending, or visit our other lending facilities factsheets:
The last update was in April 2025
The Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) provides short-term financial assistance to countries facing balance of payments problems. Historically, it has been the IMF lending instrument most used by advanced and emerging market countries. Through the years, the SBA has been upgraded to be more flexible and responsive to countries’ needs, and can also serve as a precautionary arrangement.
Purpose |
Respond flexibly to countries’ external financing needs by supporting their adjustment policies with short-term financing. |
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Eligibility |
All member countries facing actual or potential external financing needs. Most often used by advanced and emerging market countries, but low-income countries sometimes use the SBA together with the Standby Credit Facility (SCF). |
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Conditionality |
Countries’ economic policies must address the problems that led the country to seek funding. |
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Disbursements conditional on the observance of quantitative performance criteria. Progress in implementing structural measures that are critical to achieving the objectives of the program is assessed in a holistic way, including via benchmarks. See more on conditionality. |
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Review
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Periodic reviews of policies and program implementation, as access to IMF resources occurs in tranches (phasing). The IMF’s Executive Board regularly assesses program performance and can adjust it to adapt to economic developments. |
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Terms |
Duration |
Flexible. Typically covers a period of 12–24 months, but not more than 36 months. |
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| Repayment |
Due within 3¼-5 years of disbursement. Each disbursement is repaid in eight equal quarterly installments beginning 3¼ years after the date of each disbursement. |
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Interest rate |
The lending rate comprises:
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Resources are subject to a commitment fee levied at the beginning of each 12-month period on amounts that could be drawn in the period (15 basis points for committed amounts up to 200 percent of quota, 30 basis points on committed amounts above 200 percent and up to 600 percent of quota and 60 basis points on amounts exceeding 600 percent of quota). Fees are refunded pro rata if amounts are drawn during the course of the relevant period. If a country borrows the entire amount, the fee is fully refunded. However, no refund is made when countries do not draw. |
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A service charge of 50 basis points is applied on each amount drawn. |
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| Access |
Flexible on amounts to lend and timing of disbursement:
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Precautionary access. Precautionary arrangements are used when countries do not intend to draw on approved amounts, but retain the option to do so should they need it. |
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