Institute for Financial Markets and International Development

A view of the main building of the IMFDI.

The Institute for Financial Markets and International Development (Martino: Instituto de Mercados Financieros y Desarrollo Internacional, IMFDI) is a leading research and educational institute specializing in financial market analysis, international economic development, and policy innovation. It is located near the Cárdenas Stock Exchange in Cárdenas, the capital of Nouvelle Alexandrie. It is officially part of the Department of Treasury and serves as the nation’s leading center for financial research, economic forecasting, and global market studies. The institute employs over 800 researchers, including 50 postgraduate fellows from the University of Cardenas, making it one of the largest financial research hubs in the nation.

History

The IMFD was established in 1705 AN as the National Institute for Financial Research (Martino: Instituto Nacional de Investigación Financiera, INIF) to address the growing complexity of global financial markets and Nouvelle Alexandrie’s integration into international trade networks. Its early work focused on financial market stability and trade policy analysis. It was initially housed in the same building as the Institute for Economic Analysis and Studies.

In 1710 AN, it relocated and expanded its mandate to include international development studies and cross-border financial regulation,prompting its renaming to IMFDI.

In 1730 AN, under the Frontera Program, IMFDI secured €400 million in funding to construct new advanced research facilities; and create a dedicated department for development economics.

Research

The IMFDI focuses on interdisciplinary research in finance, and is primarily focused on:

• Macrofinancial Analysis
• International Trade & Finance
• Financial Markets
• Behavioral Finance
• Development Economics
• Econometric Modelling

Major Projects over the years

• Proyecto Mercados Global: developed financial stability frameworks and financial tools for emerging markets. Completed in 1715 AN.
• Proyecto Horizonte Comercial: analyzed trade flow optimisation and regional economic integration. Completed in 1720 AN.
• Proyecto Finanzas Éticas: designed sustainable investment models for climate-resilient economies. Completed in 1725 AN.
• Proyecto Mercados Digitales: studied the impact of fintech on traditional financial markets. Completed in 1732 AN.

Layout

The IMFDI occupies a three-building campus east of the Cárdenas Stock Exchange, featuring:

1. Main Building: holds the main administrative offices of the IMFDI, as well as a central library and a lecture hall.
2. Finance Research Center: main lab building dedicated to high-performance computing of big data, simulation of financial risk modeling; and financial research.
3. International Trade & Development Building: a specialised building focusing on policy drafting and cross-border economic studies, focusing on emerging markets, inequality studies, and sustainable growth strategies.

Organisation

The IMFDI is led by a Director-General appointed by the Department of Treasury. The institute is divided into four research divisions, three service departments, and an executive office.

• Director-General
  • Chief Operating Officer
    • Department of Administration
    • Department of Policy Development
    • Department of Public Affairs
  • Deputy Director of Research & Studies
    • Department of Macrofinancial Analysis
    • Department of International Trade & Development
    • Department of Financial Markets
    • Department of Behavioral Finance & Econometrics

Support departments oversee finance, HR, technical services, IT infrastructure, and public relations. IAEE also operates three advisory boards:

• Finance Research Council
• International Trade& Commerce Council
• International Development Council

List of (Deputy) Directors

1. Dr. Lucía Fernández - 1705-1711 AN
2. Mateo García - 1711-1717 AN
3. Isabel Soto - 1717-1726 AN
4. Dr. Javier Gómez - 1726-1732 AN
5. Alejandro Cruz - 1732 AN - Present

Deputy Directors

1. Ana Ruiz - 1705-1713 AN
2. Miguel Ángel - 1713 - 1718 AN
3. Valeria Morales - 1718-1721 AN
4. Dr. Gabriela Sánchez - 1721 - 1725 AN
5. Dr. Marta Reyes - 1725-1731 AN
6. Ricardo Álvarez - 1731 AN - Present