!!! Overview [{$pagename}] ([IMF]) is an international organization headquartered in [Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia], consisting of "189 countries working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure [financial] stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce [poverty] around the world." [{$pagename}] was formed in [1944|Year 1944] at the Bretton Woods Conference primarily by the ideas of Harry Dexter White and John Maynard Keynes, it came into formal existence in [1945|Year 1945] with 29 member countries and the goal of reconstructing the international [payment] system. [{$pagename}] now plays a central role in the management of balance of payments difficulties and international [financial] crises. Countries contribute funds to a pool through a quota system from which countries experiencing balance of payments problems can borrow money. !! More Information There might be more information for this subject on one of the following: [{ReferringPagesPlugin before='*' after='\n' }]