Christine Lagarde

Shifting Tides: Policy Challenges and Opportunities for the G-20

July 18, 2018

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Cars to be shipped abroad, Jiangsu, China: trade tariffs have gone into effect and export orders have decreased (photo: Imagine China/Newscom)

The artist Claude Monet once said, “I worked without stopping, for the tide at this moment is just as I need it.” As the Group of Twenty finance ministers gather this week at the banks of the Rio de la Plata in Buenos Aires they should be inspired by the words of Monet, and take advantage of global growth before the tides change. Continue reading “Shifting Tides: Policy Challenges and Opportunities for the G-20” »

By IMFBlog| July 18th, 2018|Advanced Economies, Europe, Global Governance, Globalization, trade, U.S.|

Estimating Cyber Risk for the Financial Sector

By Christine Lagarde

June 22, 2018

Versions in عربي, 中文, Español, Français, Baˈhasa indoneˈsia, 日本語, Português, Русский

Average annual losses to financial institutions from cyber-attacks could reach a few hundred billion dollars a year (photo: Eti Ammos/iStock by Getty Images)

Cyber risk has emerged as a significant threat to the financial system. Continue reading “Estimating Cyber Risk for the Financial Sector” »

By IMFBlog| June 22nd, 2018|Advanced Economies, banking, capital markets, Economic research, Financial markets, technology|

Our Digital Future

By Camilla Lund Andersen

May 30, 2018

“Money makes the world go around,” Liza Minnelli famously sang in the movie Cabaret. Money has for centuries been central to human relationships. Loss of faith in its value can result in economic and political instability, even war. In the past few years, financial technology—fintech for short—has caught the world’s imagination by offering alternatives to traditional means of payment. Will digitalization redefine money? In this issue, we explore the possible consequences, good and bad. Continue reading “Our Digital Future” »

By IMFBlog| May 30th, 2018|Advanced Economies, Asia, banking, capital flows, capital markets, credit, currency, Economic outlook, Emerging Markets, euro zone, Europe, Europe's currency union, Finance, Financial markets, financial policy, Financial regulation, Financing, Government, income, Uncategorized|

Creating a Better Global Trade System

By Christine Lagarde

May 29, 2018

Versions in عربي , 中文, Français, Baˈhasa indoneˈsia, 日本語, Português, Русский

Engineers inspect the 3D printing of a bicycle frame in California: trade in services has risen dramatically and the use of technology is changing how countries trade with each other (photo: Stephen Lam/Reuters /Newscom).

Recent news on global trade has tended to focus on protectionist measures and diplomatic tensions. These challenges have raised concerns over growth and jobs across the world. Continue reading “Creating a Better Global Trade System” »

By IMFBlog| May 29th, 2018|Advanced Economies, capital markets, technology, trade|

Shining a Bright Light into the Dark Corners of Weak Governance and Corruption

By Christine Lagarde

April 22, 2018

Versions in عربي (Arabic), 中文 (Chinese), Español (Spanish), Français (French), baˈhasa indoneˈsia (Indonesian), 日本語 (Japanese), Português (Portuguese), Русский (Russian)

Anti-corruption strategies require broader regulatory and institutional reforms (photo: Kritchanut/iStock).

The IMF Executive Board has just endorsed a new framework for stepping up engagement on governance and corruption in our member countries. Let me talk about why this is important and what it means for our work.

Continue reading “Shining a Bright Light into the Dark Corners of Weak Governance and Corruption” »

By IMFBlog| April 22nd, 2018|Advanced Economies, corruption, Financial regulation, Global Governance, Government, inclusive growth, Inequality, Investment, Politics, Spring Meetings, structural reforms, taxation|

An Even-handed Approach to Crypto-Assets

By Christine Lagarde

April 16, 2018

Versions in عربي (Arabic), 中文 (Chinese), Español (Spanish), Français (French), 日本語 (Japanese), Português (Portuguese), Русский (Russian)

Healthcare companies are studying how to use the technology behind crypto assets to maintain confidential medical data (BSIphotos/Newscom).

The dizzying gyrations of crypto-assets such as Bitcoin invite comparisons with the tulip mania that swept Holland in the 17th century and the recent dot-com bubble. With more than 1,600 crypto-assets in circulation, it seems inevitable that many will not survive the process of creative destruction.

In my blog last month, I looked at the dark side of crypto-assets, including their potential use for money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Here, I want to examine the promise they offer. A judicious look at crypto-assets should lead us to neither crypto-condemnation nor crypto-euphoria. Continue reading “An Even-handed Approach to Crypto-Assets” »

By IMFBlog| April 16th, 2018|Advanced Economies, banking, capital markets, commodities, Corporate Risk, Economic research, Financial markets, Financing, Global Governance, Globalization, Investment, technology|

Addressing the Dark Side of the Crypto World

By Christine Lagarde

March 13, 2018

Versions in عربي (Arabic), 中文 (Chinese), Français (French), baˈhasa indoneˈsia (Indonesian), 日本語 (Japanese), Português (Portuguese), Русский (Russian)

The same reason crypto-assets like Bitcoin are so appealing is also what makes them dangerous (iStock by GettyImages).

Whether Bitcoin’s value goes up or Bitcoin’s value goes down, people around the world are asking the same question: What exactly is the potential of crypto-assets?

The technology behind these assets—including blockchain—is an exciting advancement that could help revolutionize fields beyond finance. It could, for example, power financial inclusion by providing new, low-cost payment methods to those who lack bank accounts and in the process empower millions in low-income countries. Continue reading “Addressing the Dark Side of the Crypto World” »

By IMFBlog| March 13th, 2018|Advanced Economies, banking, capital markets, commodities, Corporate Risk, Economic research, Financial markets, financial policy, Financial regulation, Global Governance, Investment, technology, Transition|

Ending Harassment Helps #TheEconomyToo

By Christine Lagarde, Corinne Deléchat, and Monique Newiak

March 5, 2018

Versions in عربي (Arabic), 中文 (Chinese), Español (Spanish), Français (French), 日本語 (Japanese), Português (Portuguese)

Women who live in countries with stronger protection against harassment, including at work, are more likely to open a bank account, borrow and save, and use financial services such as mobile payments (iStock by Getty Images).

This International Women’s Day is bringing new calls to #pressforprogress on gender parity. Giving women and girls the opportunity to succeed is not only the right thing to do—it can also transform societies and economies.

Unlocking this transformative potential means pushing for more equal opportunities: for example, equality in legal rights for men and women, and equality in access to education, health, and finance. Just as important is the fundamental issue of ensuring a safe environment for all, including protection against harassment. Continue reading “Ending Harassment Helps #TheEconomyToo” »

By IMFBlog| March 5th, 2018|developing countries, Economic outlook, education, Financial markets, Global Governance, inclusive growth, Inequality, International Monetary Fund, Investment, structural reforms|

Communications Can Help to Get Financial Stability Off the Ground

By Olga Stankova

February 22, 2018

Versions in 中文 (Chinese), Español (Spanish), Português (Portuguese), Русский (Russian)

Policy and communications—two wings to fly to success (photo: iStock by Getty Images).

When the capacity to communicate effectively on financial stability policies is not there, it is like trying to fly a plane with one wing missing. It takes more than sound policy making. Communications is an essential part of the job.

Following the global financial crisis, many countries redoubled their efforts to build stronger financial stability frameworks. Central banks and supervisory agencies have enhanced their capacity to identify and monitor systemic risks in the financial system and have developed new policies to mitigate them. Continue reading “Communications Can Help to Get Financial Stability Off the Ground” »

By IMFBlog| February 22nd, 2018|Advanced Economies, banking, capital markets, Emerging Markets, Finance, Financial Crisis, Financial markets, financial policy, Financial regulation, LICs, Low-income countries|

A Dream Deferred: Inequality and Poverty Across Generations in Europe

By Christine Lagarde

January 24, 2018

Versions in عربي (Arabic), 中文 (Chinese), Español (Spanish), Français (French), 日本語 (Japanese), Русский (Russian)

A young apprentice learns a trade in Palmela, Portugal: the right policies can help reduce inequality and poverty across generations in Europe (photo: Tim Brakemeier/DPA/Newscom).

The poet Langston Hughes once asked, “What happens to a dream deferred?” It is a relevant question to millions around the world today, especially young people, because of inequality and poverty.

This week IMF staff are launching new, European Union-focused research highlighting the impact of unemployment and the long-term consequences of inadequate social protection on the young. The study also explores ideas that can help fix the problem and reduce inequality and poverty for the next generation. Continue reading “A Dream Deferred: Inequality and Poverty Across Generations in Europe” »

By IMFBlog| January 24th, 2018|Advanced Economies, Economic outlook, Economic research, Emerging Markets, Europe, financial policy, Global Governance, Government, inclusive growth, income, Inequality, labor markets, Poverty, taxation, unemployment, youth|

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