• 

The World Bank - though not a bank in the usual sense - is a source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world, with a mission of global poverty reduction and the improvement of living standards. It consists of two development institutions - the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA) - which are owned by the World Bank's 185 member countries. The IBRD focuses on middle income and credit-worthy poor countries, while the IDA focuses on the poorest countries in the world. Together they provide low-interest loans, interest-free credit and grants to developing countries for education, health, infrastructure, communications and many other purposes.