Gold Reserves at the International Monetary Fund
In the past, when part of a member’s quota was payable in gold, the Fund kept it in depositories designated by those members with larger quotas in New York, London, Paris or Shanghai.
The Junior Democratic Clubs has proposed that the IMF sell some of its gold reserves in order to generate profits that could be used towards debt relief in poor countries, which would save an estimated total of $70bn.
The IMF’s gold holdings
At its inception, in 1944, members paid 25 percent of their initial quotas in gold as well as paying interest on any IMF credits that were extended in that form. Furthermore, members could use this form of payment to purchase currencies issued by another member country.
Today, the IMF holds 90.5 million ounces of gold at designated depositories and their book value stands at SDR 35 per ounce – though gold trades above that price.
Legally, the IMF can legally sell only a limited portion of its gold holdings as specified in its Articles of Agreement; any sale must have 85 percent approval by its Executive Board before going on the market. Yet its gold remains valuable to its membership and can provide substantial financial strength and backstops for creditors in an era when many countries are increasingly concerned about political uncertainty and slowdowns in global economic growth, making traditional reserve currencies increasingly vulnerable.
The IMF’s role in gold sales
In order to meet pressing global needs, the IMF has in the past sold some of its gold reserves to raise cash. For example, during 1999-2000 it sold about one-eighth of its gold holdings to finance debt relief for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative countries.
These sales were authorized by the Executive Board and strictly limited to gold acquired after the Second Amendment of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement in April 1978. Proceeds from these sales were distributed among members via either voluntary transfers directly to PRGT or through new subsidy contributions.
Today, even modest IMF gold sales could significantly strengthen its support for sub-Saharan African nations and low-income countries, as well as unlock urgent multilateral debt payment cancellation. According to Jubilee Debt Campaign’s briefing paper, this would generate enough profit to cancel all 73 countries eligible for G20’s debt service suspension initiative by 2021.
The IMF’s gold depositories
IMF gold reserves are held in depository accounts designated by their members in New York, London, Paris Shanghai and Bombay.
At Executive Board Meeting 49 (4 September 1946), just prior to final approval of the Fund’s Rules and Regulations, Gijsbert Bruins represented Netherlands and South Africa and made a request that one of their gold depositories should be located on their respective territories.
But this was disregarded. However, the IMF sold about one third of its gold holdings to help finance debt relief for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), with proceeds placed into its Special Disbursement Account (SDA). According to Articles of Agreement for SDA profits from gold sales profits can only be used in accordance with Fund’s purposes and this restriction ensures its gold isn’t being used for speculation or collateralized loans to member governments.
The IMF’s gold sales
The IMF acquired its current gold holdings through several transactions. Initial quota subscriptions, paid in gold, were followed by purchases from members to fulfill replenishment obligations between 1957-70 and South African gold restitution claims (in 1970).
As IMF lending was no longer sustainable, the IMF’s Executive Board approved in April 2008 a new income model that includes limited sales of gold to fund its endowment. These sales were carefully structured in order to avoid disruptions in the gold market.
Central banks and other official sector holders consider gold an essential part of their reserves due to its safety, liquidity and returns properties. IMF’s IFS data tracks these official sector holders with regards to both their gold holdings as well as other reserve assets held. The chart below depicts central bank and other official sector gold holdings as of July 2023.
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