International Financial Institutions and Their Challenges

Felix I. Lessambo is Adjunct Associate Professor at the Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John's University, USA. He practiced in international tax and alternative investment management groups where he structured and advised on hedge funds and private equity cross-border transactions. He is the author of several books in finance, including The International Banking System and The International Corporate Governance System.

• PART I: THE BRETTON WOODS AND AFFILIATES INSTITUTIONS 1. The International Financial Institutions: Architecture, Flaws, and Legitimacy 2. The International Monetary Fund 3. The World Bank 4. The International Finance Corporation 5. The International Development Association 6. The International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes 7. The Mutual Investment Guarantee Agency 8. The Bank for International Settlement PART II: THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS 9. The Inter-American Development Bank 10. The European Development Bank 11. The Council of Europe Development Bank 12. The Asian Development Bank 13. The African Development Bank 14. The Latin America Development Bank 15. The Caribbean Development Bank 16. The Islamic Development Bank 17. Soon to Come: The New Development Bank PART III: THE INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT BANKS 18. The European Investment Bank 19. The Nordic Investment Bank

"Lessambo has delved deeply into archival sources and current literature to compile a unique and comprehensive primer on how the structure of the International Monetary Fund, and of regional development banks around the globe, are shaped by their institutional history and local politics. A succinct writing style makes for an easy and fast read. This book is an efficient and effective way to understand how particular development banks carry out their mission to alleviate poverty and promote economic growth. This book is a 'must read' for anyone wanting to objectively assess the re-development of China as it provides essential understanding of how the Western notion of economic efficiency shapes the fate of developing countries." - Nicos A. Scordis, Professor and John R. Cox/ACE Limited Chair in Risk and Insurance, St. John's University, USA "The efficiency of their action is controversial; some say it is marginal, others pretend they play a crucial role, all we know is that they have been established at a time much different from ours. In this remarkable book, Lessambo not only paints a vivid picture of our International Financial Institutions, but also provides realistic reforms moving forward. This book could well be the starting point of an international financial governance revolution or at least, a classic of International Finance for both practitioners and scholars." - Brice Thionnet, Managing Director, Union Bancaire Privee, Switzerland "Lessambo has produced a highly readable book on the important topic of Financial Institutions and Their Challenges. As the impacts of the 2008 financial crisis continue to be felt, making sense of the role of financial institutions remains key. This book will serve as an excellent introduction." - Jean-Marc Coicaud, Professor and Director of the Division of Global Affairs, Rutgers University, USA; Global Ethics Fellow, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, USA