The IMF and the World Bank: How Do They Differ?

Pamphlet Series, June 1, 1995

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Bibliographic details

• Authors: David D. Driscoll
• Published: June 1, 1995
• Series: Pamphlet Series
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781557754059.054

Summary findings

• The IMF is small and, unlike the World Bank, has no affiliates or subsidiaries.
• Most IMF staff members work at headquarters in Washington, D.C., although three small offices are maintained in Paris, Geneva, and at the United Nations in New York.
• IMF professional staff members are for the most part economists and financial experts.
• The World Bank is an investment bank, intermediating between investors and recipients, borrowing from the one and lending to the other.
• The structure of the World Bank is somewhat more complex compared with the IMF.

Organizational structure and footprint

• IMF:
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
  • Additional offices: three small offices in Paris, Geneva, and at the United Nations in New York.
  • Affiliates/subsidiaries: none.
• World Bank:
  • Characterized as an investment bank that intermediates between investors and recipients.
  • Structure: described as somewhat more complex compared with the IMF.

Staffing and professional focus

• IMF staff composition:
  • Professional staff members are for the most part economists and financial experts.
• World Bank staffing implication:
  • As an investment intermediary, organizational roles include intermediation between investors and recipients (borrowing and lending functions).

Thematic coverage and subjects

• Subjects listed: Banking, Currencies, Financial crises, Financial institutions, Foreign exchange, International monetary system, Loans, Money.
• Keywords listed: country, Currencies, financing, Global, government, IMF operations, IMF's article, IMF's operation, IMF's role, IMF's work, international community, International monetary system, lending decision, Loans, MTU, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe.

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