Established on December 20, 2009, International Monetary Institute (IMI) is a non-profit academic institution and think tank focusing on research on monetary finance theory, policy and strategy. Taking the discipline framework and thinking model of “the General Theory of Macro-Finance”, IMI follows the principle of connecting East and West, linking up academic studies, serving government and public, and seeking truth from facts. Aiming to build a world-class think tank focusing on the studies on international financial theory, strategy and policy in an international, professional and featured approach, IMI has been proved very fruitful in promoting academic exchanges, serving society, facilitating practices of financial reform at home and abroad and facilitating cultivation of financial talents “who are able to flexibly move between the East and West cultural platforms.”

The chairman of IMI Council is Prof. Zhuang Yumin, Dean of the School of Finance at Renmin University of China. The co-chairman is Mr. Cao Tong, Chairman of Board at Shanghai Huarui Bank. The director of IMI is Prof. Zhang Jie, professor of the School of Finance at Renmin University of China, while Prof. Ben Shenglin, dean of International Business School, and Academy of Internet Finance at Zhejiang University takes the co-director position. The deputy directors are Prof. Tu Yonghong, Prof. Song Ke and Prof. Wang Fang from the School of Finance, Renmin University of China. 

IMI is dedicated to the cutting-edge theoretical researches in international finance, macroeconomy, money and banking, fintech, financial regulation and regional finance; and coordinately promotes fundamental theoretical and empirical study, as well as researches on strategies and application. IMI has forged a large number of research outcomes with important academic and political influence, which has greatly contributed to the development of China’s financial theory and reform. The main academic products include three series of reports: RMB Internationalization Report, Reports on the Internationalization of Financial Institutions, Report of Tianfu Financial Index, Monthly Report on Macroeconomy; Fintech Open Classes; four periodicals: International Monetary Review (Quarterly), International Monetary Review (Monthly), IMI Research Information (Monthly) and IMI Research Weekly; and IMI Macro-Finance Book Series. In order to faithfully record the progress of RMB internationalization and objectively reflect the challenges in the long run, IMI has released the RMB Internationalization Report since 2012. The Reports draw broad attention from all sectors of society due to the independence, objectivity and referential value for decision making. Currently, the Reports have been released in both China and abroad in English, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Simplified and Traditional Chinese characters.

IMI has been dedicated to establish a platform for academic exchange and cooperation internationally, with long-term strategic partnerships established with organizations and academic institutions from Europe, America, Asia and Africa, including International Monetary Fund (IMF), Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), School of Business Studies and Economics at University of Montevideo (FCEE), Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF), Sino-German Center of Finance and Economic (SGC), Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), International Finance Forum (IFF), Columbia University, Goethe University Frankfurt, University of Luxembourg, Tilburg University, University of Lahore, Bank of Finland Institute for Economies in Transition (BOFIT), Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), CLS, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), JP Morgan Chase Bank, Fung Global Institute, and SinoPac Holdings; among which IMI has signed Memorandum of Understanding with KIEP, HSRC, FCEE and BOFIT. By far, IMI has hosted more than 50 major international and domestic academic conferences and over a hundred small and medium sized conferences. We have forged series of high-end forums and seminars brands with significant academic influence, including International Monetary Forum, Roundtable on Money and Finance, Macro-Finance Salon, Yanshan Forum, McKinnon Lectures and Tao Xiang International Finance Lectures. Macro-Finance Salon aims at promoting the study and practice of Macro-Finance, as well as its disciplinary program, while carrying out in-depth research on Macro-Finance theory, policy and strategy. The concept of “Macro-Finance” stems from Professor Huang Da’s fundamental idea of integrating macro and micro financial theory, which systematically regards finance and real economy as a whole. In his book of “General Theory of Macro-Finance”, Deputy Governor Chen Yulu of PBoC, also chairman of IMI Academic Committee, demonstrates the fundamental connotation and methodology of Macro-Finance, laying theoretical and empirical foundation for Macro-Finance framework, which facilitates long-term economic growth and stronger national competitiveness.

Initiated by IMI and Beijing Gintong Investment Company, Ltd., Gintong Global Financial Talents program aims at cultivating financial youth leaders based on interdisciplinary knowledge of economics and finance. The program features one-to-one mentorship, ten selected courses, recommended internship, summer and winter study tour, and sustainable development, aiming to incubate academic elites, harbor innovative future stars, and cultivate financial talents who are able to flexibly move between the East and West cultural platforms. The program intends to build a comprehensive, professional and sustainable training channel for financial talents, accommodating on- and off-campus activities, research and practice advices, general and personal cultivation plans and domestic and international communications.

IMI has done its utmost to provide constructive suggestions for the state and governments at all levels, contributing to the comprehensive and deepened reform of China’s financial system. IMI members have given policy consultation and lectures to provincial and ministerial organizations for over 20 times, and over 15 of its members have worked as chairperson or managing director in state academic institutions including China Finance Society, or as member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank. IMI has initiated Cross Border Financial 50 Forum, China Asset Securitization 100 Forum, and Global FinTech Lab, aiming to offer theoretical and practical reference for decision making and related research, and provide intellectual and technological drivers for the innovation and upgrade of industries.