The World Bank and IMF
The World Bank and IMF (International Monetary Fund) are agencies of the UN, responsible for lending funds to poorer countries. The World Bank (whose full name is the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) was originally founded to make loans for higher-risk projects in poorer countries, that could not get loans from private banks. The IMF was set up to help with balance-of-payments problems, such as making short-term loans to help countries to repay their debts.
Both institutions are dominated by the USA. The dollar is their official currency, and the headquarters of both are in Washington DC. The World Bank and IMF have voting schemes weighted according to the financial contributions of participating governments. This means that poorer nations have virtually no say at all. The USA has 16.4% of all votes, so it can block any major decisions, by preventing an 85% majority.
The IMF and World Bank are criticised for promoting 'neo-liberal' principles, that insist countries will prosper by practising free market competition. It has been shown that these policies are not always suitable, and in fact often lead poor countries into deeper poverty. It is claimed by critics that promoting 'free trade' and 'liberalisation' benefit companies in rich countries, to the detriment of the development of the local economy in poorer countries.