Archives

June 19, 2024 @ 8:37 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Central bank digital currencies or CBDCs can boost Middle East’s financial inclusion, payment efficiency, according to a comprehensive update from the IMF. 19 countries in the Middle East and Central Asia are exploring issuing a CBDC, the IMF update noted. Almost two-thirds of countries in… Read More

April 21, 2024 @ 10:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

A sense of optimism has pervaded financial markets in recent months, amid investor confidence that the fight against inflation is entering its “last mile” and that central banks will ease monetary policy in the coming months, according to a comprehensive update shared by the International… Read More

April 14, 2024 @ 10:40 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Cyberattacks have more than doubled since the pandemic, according to a recent update shared by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). While companies have historically suffered relatively modest direct losses from cyberattacks, some have “experienced a much heavier toll,” the IMF report notes. US credit reporting… Read More

April 14, 2024 @ 2:12 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva has been selected to serve a second five-year term as its managing director, beginning October 1. The IMF’s executive board praised Georgieva for her “strong and agile leadership,” which has steered the institution through… Read More

April 9, 2024 @ 10:19 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The private credit market, in which specialized non-bank financial institutions such as investment funds lend to corporate borrowers, “topped $2.1 trillion globally last year in assets and committed capital,” according to an update shared by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). About three-quarters of this was… Read More

March 30, 2024 @ 5:34 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital money, when carefully managed, can potentially aid Pacific Island growth and equality, according to an update shared by the IMF. A cautious step-by-step approach would help the region “explore new technologies effectively to deliver economic and social gains while managing risks,” the International Monetary… Read More

March 29, 2024 @ 12:38 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Pacific Island nations are poised to harness the digital money revolution to enhance their financial systems, improve financial inclusion, and counteract the decline in correspondent banking relationships, according to research conducted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The geographic isolation, small size, and distinct challenges… Read More

January 17, 2024 @ 1:48 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

AI [artificial intelligence] will affect almost 40 percent of jobs around the world, “replacing some and complementing others.” So that’s why we may “need a careful balance of policies to tap its potential,” according to an update shared by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In… Read More

January 6, 2024 @ 4:34 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Faster, cheaper, and more transparent cross-border payment services have “the potential to improve many lives by supporting economic growth, international trade, global development, and financial inclusion.” This, according to an update shared by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Group of Twenty has prioritized such… Read More

December 31, 2023 @ 1:39 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Central banks will likely keep interest rates higher for longer in economies with persistently elevated core inflation (excluding food and energy prices), according to an update shared by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF noted that the high-interest-rate environment, which recently “triggered banking sector… Read More

December 24, 2023 @ 11:49 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Crime has long been a “top-of-mind” concern for households across Latin America and the Caribbean, according to an update shared by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF noted in a blog post that the LatAm region accounts “for nearly half of the world’s intentional… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 5:38 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Policymakers need a “fuller view” of consequences of illicit flows, including tallies of the fiscal, monetary, financial, and structural costs, according to an update from the IMF. The fight against financial crime isn’t lost, but the world “needs to do more to limit the economic… Read More

November 21, 2023 @ 11:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Europe’s economic recovery is getting a much-needed boost from rising wages and higher incomes, according to an update shared by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). But in countries where population aging is “shrinking the workforce, policymakers may soon face new challenges.” The IMF noted in… Read More

September 11, 2023 @ 7:50 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) have advanced policy and regulatory recommendations “to identify and respond to macroeconomic and financial stability risks associated with crypto-assets.” Crypto-assets have been in existence “for more than a decade and have displayed significant volatility…. Read More

April 11, 2023 @ 10:37 am By JD Alois  |  

The IMF expects global economic growth to decline by 0.1 than previously anticipated generating 2.8% before rising to 3% in 2024. In 2022, economic growth stood at 3.4% and thus reflects the declining global economy. The expectations were shared as part of the IMF’s World… Read More

February 25, 2023 @ 6:50 pm By JD Alois  |  

In a blog post, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says that the technology backing crypto – IE blockchain or distributed ledger technology (DLT) can be used for good. While describing crypto as being more of a disappointment than a revolution, the IMF goes on to… Read More

October 16, 2022 @ 11:35 pm By JD Alois  |  

There has been much discussion as to the benefits of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Many developed countries are researching the pros and cons, and China has been testing with consumers a digital yuan for some time now. The flip side to a CBDC is… Read More

April 18, 2022 @ 8:01 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tech sometimes moves at “a dizzying pace.” When it comes to innovation in financial activities, often referred to as Fintech, the world is “seeing major advances,” according to an update from the IMF. For banks, Fintech “disrupts” core financial services and “pushes them to innovate… Read More

July 3, 2020 @ 8:25 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The global COVID-19 outbreak has created many challenges as individuals and businesses have to get used to observing safe distancing measures and make changes to their lifestyle – which may include working from home. According to a recent blog post published by the International Monetary… Read More