32 Angel – Isle of Man

In 2015, the Isle of Man's currency situation remained stable and closely aligned with the United Kingdom, reflecting its long-standing constitutional relationship. The Manx pound (IMP) continued to be pegged at par with the British pound sterling (GBP), a policy managed by the Isle of Man Government's Treasury. Sterling itself was the dominant currency in circulation, with UK-issued notes and coins used interchangeably with locally issued Manx notes and coins, which featured distinct designs but the same value. This arrangement provided economic stability and certainty for trade, finance, and the island's residents.

The year saw no major monetary policy shifts, as the Isle of Man, being a Crown Dependency, does not have an independent central bank and does not set its own interest rates. However, the broader economic context was influenced by the UK's continued recovery from the 2008 financial crisis and the approaching referendum on UK membership in the European Union, which began to generate long-term economic uncertainty. For the Manx economy, key sectors like offshore banking, insurance, and e-gaming relied heavily on this sterling link for predictability in international transactions.

A notable point of discussion in 2015, as in prior years, was the ongoing review and gradual introduction of newly designed, polymer Manx banknotes. This modernization effort, aimed at enhancing security and durability, proceeded without disrupting the fixed parity with sterling. Overall, the currency framework in 2015 functioned effectively, underpinning the island's economy while navigating the external pressures of the UK's pre-Brexit economic climate.