## 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

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### 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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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/other-statistical-electronic-products/issues/2016/12/30/the-imf-and-the-world-bank-how-do-they-differ-276_