OREANDA-NEWS. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released today the prepublication version of the Monetary and Financial Statistics Manual and Compilation Guide, providing updated guidance for the compilation, reporting, and dissemination of monetary and financial statistics (MFS).

The Manual addresses the need for accurate, comprehensive, and reliable monetary and financial data across countries, which has been underscored by modern episodes of financial instability, in particular that of 2008-2009. The operations of the financial corporations sector have been expanding rapidly across the world, gaining importance in the intermediation of financial flows domestically and internationally.

The Manual updates and merges into one volume methodological and practical aspects of the compilation process of MFS. It sets up a conceptual framework for the analytical presentation of monetary statistics, which provides a critical input for monetary policy formulation and monitoring, and supports the assessment of financial sector stability. The Manual aligns the MFS methodology with the System of National Accounts 2008, deepens the practical guidance drawing on extensive hands-on experience from compilers and users, and reflects recent innovations in financial markets.

The Manual was produced by the IMF’s Statistics Department, in close consultation with the MFS Experts Group, established from a broad range of member countries and international organizations to support the development of internationally-comparable monetary and financial statistics.