Regarding the International Monetary Fund, which one of the following statements is correct ?

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that functions as a lender of final resort for countries facing balance of payments (BoP) difficulties. According to its Articles of Agreement, the IMF provides financial assistance exclusively to its member countries [4]. Unlike development banks like the World Bank, which may fund specific projects or lend to various entities, the IMF only lends to the governments of its member nations [1]. While it provides policy advice and technical assistance to central banks, its actual lending operations are restricted to member states to help them overcome short-term BoP problems and ensure exchange rate stability [4]. The IMF serves both developed and developing member nations, offering non-concessional loans at market rates as well as concessional lending to low-income members [2].

Sources

1. [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > International Monetary Fund (IMF) > p. 398
2. [2] https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/aa/index.htm
3. [4] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF) > p. 528