World Bank, IMF Urge American Lawmakers To End Government Shutdown

Worried about the effect on the global economy

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have called on U.S. leaders to take steps to reopen the federal government, The New York Times reported Sunday.

Annie Lowrey and Nathaniel Popper write the U.S. debt ceiling issue overshadowed the international recovery agenda at joint meetings of the agencies held over the weekend in Washington.

Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew and the Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke were present during the talks, according to the report.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde told NBC News in an interview that a "lack of certainty" and a "lack of trust in the U.S. signature" could put the world economy at risk.