IMF LAUNCHES EFFORT TO BOLSTER SAFE, SECURE WORLD BANKING SYSTEM.(MAIN)

Byline: MARTIN CRUTSINGER Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The International Monetary Fund, mindful that the United States, Mexico and 131 other nations have suffered serious banking problems since 1980, is recommending better safeguards to protect an increasingly interconnected global financial system.

An IMF steering committee ordered Sunday a coordinated review of what needs to be done to bolster the soundness and safety of banking systems around the world. It asked for recommendations by next April, in time for spring meetings of the 181-nation lending organization.

Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin said proposals to strengthen supervision of the …