Catalyzing Capital Flows : Do IMF Programs Work as Commitment Devices?

An objective of IMF programs is to help countries improve their access to international capital markets. In this paper, we examine if Fund programs influence the ability of developing country issuers to tap international bond markets and whether they improve spreads paid on the bonds issued. We find that Fund programs do not provide a uniformly favorable signaling effect, i.e., the mere presence of the IMF does not act as a strong seal of good housekeeping. Instead, the evidence is most consistent with a positive effect of IMF programs when they are viewed as likely to lead to policy reform and when undertaken before economic fundamentals have deteriorated significantly. The size of the Fund's program matters, but the credibility of a joint commitment by the country and the IMF appears to be critical