Investor Glossary-world bankInsightful stock market charts - Click here

 # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z     
Term of the Day Email this Definition Link to this Definition

World Bank


The World Bank is an international institution, owned by about 180 member countries, that provides financial and technical assistance to developing nations. In that mission, the World Bank provides low-interest loans, interest-free credit, and grants for education, health, infrastructure, communications and other purposes. In 2005, the World Bank employed 9,300 people. The origins of the World Bank can be traced to the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944 and the establishment of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) soon after. The IBRD remains one of the two key components of the World Bank and focuses on assisting middle income and creditworthy poor countries. The other main component of the World Bank, the International Development Association (IDA), focuses on helping the poorest nations. The World Bank can be distinguished from the World Bank Group, which, besides the IBRD and the IDA, includes the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. Importantly, the World Bank Group does not encompass the International Monetary Fund, although their activities are not infrequently intertwined.

Rate this World Bank definition...

               


Where is the market headed? The answer may surprise you. Find out
right now with the exclusive & Barron's recommended charts of Chart of the Day.


Popular Terms: EBITDA, liquidity ratio, 401a, deferred tax, command economy, 144a, per diem, margin rate, deferred revenue, required rate of return, cancelled check, open position, stock split, ex-dividend, implied volatility, in escrow, irrevocable trust, limit order, quality assurance, risk management, 1035 exchange, Key Rate Duration, class C shares, current ratio, Zero Cost Collar, 1031 exchange, wholly-owned subsidiary, VIX, reverse mortgage, retained earnings, phantom income, option premium, minority interest, labor relations, ex-dividend date, covered put, real GDP, LIBOR, inflation, dividends payable, diluted share, debt service coverage, balance sheet, APR, equities, average price per share, FICO score, FTSE, stock market close


Home | Term of the Day | Tell a Friend | Suggest a Term | Edit Subscriber Detail
Accounting | Banking | Bonds | Brokers | Economy | Futures | Mutual Funds | Options | Real Estate | Retirement | Stocks | Taxes | Technical Analysis
©2004-2009 Investor Glossary - All rights reserved - Terms of Use