ETRIC Subject Files

65758

1971-1993

series

textual records

5.5 linear feet of textual records.

English

Series is open according to the Archives Access Policy. Files will be screened by reference staff for any time restrictions.

Series consists of records documenting the activities of the International Capital Markets Division (ETRIC) of the Exchange and Trade Relations Department with regards to its dealings with commercial and central banks and country debt situations. Staff of the International Capital Markets Division sat on the Fund Debt Group whose purpose was to facilitate the exchange of information on debt strategy between departments. Topics include: OECD data on bank lending; summary of ETRIC attendance at OECD Committee on Financial Markets meetings; exposure of selected banks to selected developing countries; country debt indicator charts; country risk in international bank lending; bank claims on major borrowers; developing country access to capital markets; bank debt problems; a discussion of country risk, exposure limits and credit worthiness with bankers; and the implications of Debt Equity conversion schemes on Article VIII; an analysis of data on developing countries ranked by assets in the context of debt restructuring; the Brady Initiative; the IMF's relations with the Berne Union; and, the Basle/Cook Committee. In connection with the latter, the IMF's country classification was used to study capital adequacy monitoring on differential risks for industrial versus developing countries. There is also a discussion of "new money packages" in which it was anticipated that banks with smaller exposures would provide new financing to developing countries pursuing appropriate economic policies. Generally, records consist of correspondence from external organizations and internal memoranda circulated to the Division Chief for review and comments.