A new IMF working paper links heavy bank trading to market risks if "financial deepening" occurs as it emerges that over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives trades are set to avoid US and European market infrastructure regulations.
Former Mexican deputy finance minister Alejandro Werner is to head the IMF's Western Hemisphere department overseeing Latin America.
The Bangladeshi government is being pressured by the IMF's Asia and Pacific department officials to implement its recommendations, including raising the VAT rate, despite opposition from local civil society organizations.
In September the IMF executive board praised Zimbabwe's efforts to repay its debts to the Fund and relaxed restrictions on technical assistance.
The Troika has announced another Greek debt agreement, but disputes between the Fund and its Troika partners over debt reduction remain unresolved.
The World Bank's new president Jim Yong Kim set out his vision for the institution at the Bank's annual meetings in mid October, but his desire to build a 'solutions' bank and end absolute poverty comes with few details or big changes at the Bank. Next year's replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA) will put Kim's vision to the test.
Continuing a much-heralded tradition at the Bretton Woods Project, the first issue of 2013 will feature 'Bankspeak of the year' and 'resources of the year'.
Talks between the IMF and Pakistan under post-programme monitoring resumed in September. Despite confidence amongst Pakistan officials in their country's capacity to repay its loans, the IMF fears the need for a second loan early next year
The Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, declared in September that "we will cut it [our $1.3 billion IMF debt] to zero by next April", according to Anatolia News Agency.
The IMF's shift in stance regarding easing Greece's debt burden reflects a deepening controversy about whether austerity policies are counter-productive.
The IMF is about to embark on a new round of negotiations over governance reform, but acrimony persists and already-agreed changes remain unimplemented.
IFIs are renewing their focus on Central and Eastern European states. This comes amidst fears that growth in the region needs to be rekindled. The World Bank has promised more funding for countries at risk of instability. However, IMF loans being negotiated with Romania and Hungary have met with controversy.
At the 80th anniversary of the World Bank and IMF, global civil society must maintain pressure on the Brazilian and South African G20 presidencies to ensure the forth Financing for Development Conference in 2025 results in urgently required international financial architecture reform.
