NIB part of Multilateral Development Banks Comparison Report 2025

8.9.2025 • News

The first-ever Multilateral Development Banks Comparison Report 2025 highlights the resilience of MDBs’ balance sheets and their unique role in advancing international development. Coordinated by the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with contributions from NIB and other MDBs, the report responds to a G20 call for greater transparency and comparability.

Published on 4 September, the report provides an overview of MDBs’ financial strength, covering key indicators such as liquidity, credit ratings, leverage and risk management. Drawing on financial statements and assessments by leading rating agencies, the report confirms MDBs’ ability to mobilise resources and deliver long-term value for their member countries.

Key findings include:

  • MDBs maintain strong capital and liquidity positions, consistent with their high credit ratings, allowing them to provide stable, low-cost, financing to clients and to support their development objectives.
  • The MDB model is very effective at making the most of shareholders resources, with MDBs not only fully coverings their operating costs, but have added some US$230 billion to reserves since their inception, boosting financial flows toward emerging and developing economies.
  • The geographical spread of MDB mandates ensures global reach, together with a regional-specific effectiveness.
  • By working as a system, MDBs have created innovative instruments that help free up capital and reduce risk, notably by using risk transfers, including Exposure Exchange Agreements and guarantees supported by highly-rated shareholders.

The initiative builds on recommendations from the G20 Independent Review of MDBs’ Capital Adequacy Frameworks, which called for better visibility around financial resilience and stronger mobilisation of private sector capital. The report was developed through the Global Risk and Financial Forum (GRaFF), a platform bringing together Chief Risk Officers and Chief Financial Officers from MDBs.

NIB joined the collective effort as part of its commitment to strengthening the MDB system and supporting sustainable development in its member countries and globally.