The world’s major multilateral development banks (MDBs) have kept their finances sturdy through a period of growing global uncertainty, according to a joint report released on Wednesday.
The Multilateral Development Banks’ Comparison Report 2026 covers 15 of the largest institutions. Together they hold nearly $1.5 trillion in development assets, including loans, equity investments and guarantees. The portfolio rests on $163 billion in paid-in capital from shareholders, so every dollar contributed supports more than $9 in assets.
Most of the banks hold triple-A credit ratings. The report was published by the Global Risk and Finance Forum, which the Asian Development Bank (ADB) chairs this year. It compares the banks on capital, liquidity, risk and credit ratings. For the first time, it also tracks key indicators over three years.
The data show the banks’ financial position stayed stable from 2023 to 2025, even as higher energy prices and supply chain disruptions strained many developing economies. That strength let the banks increase their support when countries came under pressure.
A new joint report finds that multilateral development banks financial positions remained stable from 2023 to 2025.
MDBs hold nearly $1.5 trillion in development assets, backed by $163 billion in paid-in capital.
🔸 News Release: https://t.co/MUS4n0FFlI
🔸 Publication: https://t.co/nSdpdiePHl— Asian Development Bank (@ADB_HQ) October 14, 2026
Other findings point to a healthy loan book and deep reserves. Most MDBs kept non-performing loans below 2%. Their liquidity buffers cover short- to medium-term debt 2.6 times over. The banks also continued to share risk through exposure exchange agreements, including a new $3 billion deal between ADB and the World Bank signed in October 2025.
ADB Vice-President for Finance and Risk Management, Roberta Casali, said “strong balance sheets give MDBs the power to act” when people and economies face stress. She said shareholders entrust the banks with scarce public funds, and the banks have a duty to make each dollar work as hard as possible.
In her view, that financial strength helps keep economies moving and businesses open, and helps families afford food and shelter when shocks hit.
The report is part of a larger push to make MDB finances easier to compare and scrutinize. The banks are also publishing loan performance data through the Global Emerging Markets Risk Database consortium.
ADB and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development coordinated the 2026 edition. The report responds to a recommendation from the G20 Independent Review of MDB Capital Adequacy Frameworks that MDBs cooperate more on systemic issues. The first edition came out in 2025.
Participating institutions include the African Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, New Development Bank, and the World Bank Group’s IBRD, IDA and IFC, among others.
