## Balance Sheet Analysis in Fund Surveillance

_Policy Papers, June 12, 2015_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Balance Sheet Analysis in Fund Surveillance](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/balance-sheet-analysis-in-fund-surveillance-pp4963)

## Other formats

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- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/balance-sheet-analysis-in-fund-surveillance-pp4963/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/balance-sheet-analysis-in-fund-surveillance-pp4963/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: June 12, 2015
- Series: Policy Papers

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### Overview
- Balance sheets convey vital information about economic prospects and risks.
- Balance sheet analysis captures the role that financial frictions and mismatches play in creating fragility and amplifying shocks.
- This analysis is key to understanding the macroeconomic outlook, identifying vulnerabilities, and tracing the transmission of potential shocks and policies.
- Publication date: June 12, 2015.

### Purpose and scope
- Reviews the use of balance sheet analysis in the Fund’s bilateral surveillance.
- Introduces practical examples of how balance sheet analysis can be deepened.
- Highlights useful examples of such analysis conducted by staff over the last decade.
- Documents the data and tools that have been used and mentions some limitations.
- Discusses recent improvements in the coverage and quality of balance sheet data through initiatives launched in the wake of the global crisis, and key remaining gaps that require international collaboration.

### Key findings and emphases
- Recent evaluations of IMF surveillance—including the 2014 TSR—have emphasized the importance of strengthening balance sheet analysis and coverage of macro-financial issues.
- Balance sheet analysis helps trace transmission of shocks and policies by revealing mismatches and financial frictions that amplify vulnerabilities.

### Data, tools, and coverage notes
- The paper documents the data and tools used by staff for balance sheet analysis.
- Notes recent improvements in coverage and quality of balance sheet data driven by post-crisis initiatives.
- Identifies key remaining data gaps that need international collaboration to address.
- The IMF eLibrary offers over 25,000 IMF publications in multiple formats (as noted on the landing page).

### Limitations and gaps
- The paper mentions limitations of current balance sheet analysis and data coverage (described qualitatively in the text).
- Remaining gaps in balance sheet data coverage and quality are highlighted as requiring international collaboration.

### Policy implications and recommendations
- Strengthen balance sheet analysis within bilateral surveillance to better identify vulnerabilities and transmission channels.
- Improve coverage and quality of balance sheet data through coordinated international initiatives.
- Deepen use of documented data and tools shared across Fund staff to enhance analysis of macro-financial linkages.

### Subjects covered
- Bilateral surveillance
- Corporate sector
- Cross country analysis
- Data collection
- Data quality assessment framework
- Developed countries
- Emerging markets
- Financial sector

*Balance Sheet Analysis in Fund Surveillance, June 12, 2015. Accessed 9/11/2026.*

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## Content in this bundle

- **Balance Sheet Analysis in Fund Surveillance; IMF Policy Paper, June 12, 2015**
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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/balance-sheet-analysis-in-fund-surveillance-pp4963_