Multilateral Development Banks: Profiles of Selected Multilateral Development Banks
Published: 2001-05-18T00:00:00

Fast Facts:

Highlights:
section_title: Why GAO Did This Study
paragraphs: This report discusses Multilateral Development Banks (MDB), which provide financial support for projects and programs that promote social and economic progress in developing countries. GAO provides (1) summaries of each bank's mission, function, and operations; (2) key bank financial data covering the last three fiscal years; and (3) information on the U.S. investment in capital and voting percentages in each MDB.
section_title: What GAO Found
paragraphs: GAO found that MDBs are autonomous international financial entities that finance economic and social development projects and programs in developing countries. The MDBs primarily fund these projects and programs using money borrowed from world capital markets or money provided by the governments of member countries. MDBs enable developing countries to access foreign currency resources on more advantageous terms than would be available to them on the basis of their own international credit standing. The MDBs provide assistance in the form of loans, equity investments, loan and equity guarantees, and technical assistance. Direct lending is the primary vehicle of development assistance. The United States is the largest member in most of the MDBs discussed in this report, contributing significant amounts to support the missions of the MDBs and subscribing a significant amount to MDBs' callable capital.

section_title: Letter
paragraphs: Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) were established to provide financial support for projects and programs designed to promote social and economic progress in developing countries. Under the Fiscal Year 2001 Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (Public Law 106-429) (the Act), the United States is providing approximately $1.3 billion to support the missions of the MDBs discussed in this report. Section 803 of the Act provides that GAO report on the audits of certain MDBs’ financial operations conducted by persons or entities outside the MDBs. We will be issuing a series of reports in response to these reporting requirements. As agreed with your offices, we will first provide a financial overview of the MDBs, including (1) summaries of each bank’s mission, function, and operations, (2) key bank financial data covering the last 3 fiscal years, and (3) the U.S. investment in capital and voting percentages in each MDB. The information contained in this report was compiled from a variety of publicly available sources, including the MDBs’ audited financial statements and annual reports. Other publicly available data was obtained from the MDBs, the Congressional Research Service, and Standard & Poor’s. We have begun work to assess the audit process at some of the regional MDBs and will report on that work at a later date. We plan to continue similar work with the remaining MDBs.
subsections: section_title: Overview
paragraphs: MDBs are autonomous international financial entities that finance economic and social development projects and programs in developing countries. All members participate in oversight and the setting of operating policies of the MDBs through their participation on the boards of governors. The MDBs primarily fund these projects and programs using money borrowed from world capital markets or money provided by governments of member countries. Because of the MDBs’ favorable credit ratings, those MDBs that borrow funds from world capital markets are able to obtain more favorable loan terms than their borrowers could otherwise negotiate. Thus, MDBs enable developing countries to access foreign currency resources on more advantageous terms than would be available to them solely on the basis of their own international credit standing. MDBs are not commercial “banks” in the traditional sense of the term because they do not seek to maximize profits and they do not take customer deposits to fund their operations.
The MDBs provide assistance in the form of loans, equity investments, loan and equity guarantees, and technical assistance. The primary vehicle of development assistance is direct lending. Most loans are issued with market-based interest rates; however, some MDBs offer loans at concessional (less than current market) rates to the poorest of the developing countries. MDB loans are available in various currencies to their member countries or, in some cases, to private enterprises, for development projects in a borrowing member country. In some cases, a member country guarantees loans made to private sector enterprises within the member country and, as a result, may be held liable for any defaulted loans.
The United States is the largest member in most of the MDBs discussed in this report, contributing significant amounts to support the missions of the MDBs and subscribing a significant amount of the MDBs’ callable capital.The Congress appropriates funds for the United States’ contributions to the MDBs. In fiscal year 2001, the Congress appropriated about $1.0 billion for the MDBs, with the largest contribution, $775 million, going to the World Bank Group’s International Development Association. During fiscal year 2001, the Congress also authorized up to $271 million of new subscriptions to the MDBs’ callable capital. The Department of the Treasury oversees the United States’ interests in the MDBs. The United States is a member of the following MDB groups, which are included in this report: (1) the World Bank Group, (2) the African Development Bank Group, (3) the Asian Development Bank, (4) the Inter-American Development Bank, and (5) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
In their most recent fiscal year of operations for which information was available, the MDBs we reviewed approved about $40.1 billion of development assistance consisting of loans, loan guarantees, and equity investments for economic and social development. The Latin American and Caribbean region received the largest portion of this development assistance, approximately $15.8 billion, while the Asian and Pacific region received $11.9 billion, Europe and Central Asia received $6.3 billion, and Africa received $6.1 billion. The World Bank Group accounted for about 53 percent of the MDBs’ total development assistance provided during this period, while the regional MDBs, which focus their development activities on a particular region, provided the remaining 47 percent. Loans with market-based interest rates, equity investments, and loan guarantees accounted for about $33.5 billion of the total financial support provided by these MDBs during the most recent fiscal years of operations, while concessional lending amounted to about $6.6 billion.
We received comments of a technical nature from Treasury officials, and these comments have been incorporated in the report where appropriate.
section_title: Scope and Methodology
paragraphs: African Development Bank Group   African Development Bank   African Development Fund   Ordinary Capital Resources   Asian Development Fund   Ordinary Capital   Fund for Special Operations   European Bank for Reconstruction and Development For our report, we analyzed and compiled information from the MDBs’ annual reports and their audited financial statements for the most recent 3 fiscal years for which information was available as of January 1, 2001. We also reviewed the MDBs’ Articles of Agreement. Other data sources included the Congressional Research Service and Standard & Poor’s. The Standard & Poor’s information we used relates to the credit ratings of several MDBs as of September 2000, criteria used to assess several of the MDBs, credit ratings of various borrowing members, and credit rating definitions. This information was used with the permission of Standard & Poor’s.
The most recent fiscal years of operations for which data were available from the annual reports and audited financial statements of the regional MDBs and the related entities of the World Bank Group were for the years ending December 31, 1999, and June 30, 2000, respectively. Our work focused on the MDBs and the related entities listed above; our work did not cover the other special funds operated by the MDBs. To the extent possible, we used data audited by the MDBs’ external auditors.
For comparability, we converted financial data from the African Development Bank Group and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to the U.S. dollar equivalent. When calculating the financial information provided for the MDBs, we made the following adjustments to data items:     Loans outstanding include disbursed loans and equity investments, except where noted.
Net disbursed loans represent loans outstanding less the estimated loan loss allowance.
Nonaccrual loans include the principal portion only.
Undisbursed loans include loans that are committed but not yet disbursed.
Paid-in capital excludes amounts not yet due and receivables from members related to subscribed capital.
Because MDBs follow different accounting standards to prepare financial data, use different methodologies to estimate loan losses, and have different policies relating to nonaccrual loans, caution must be taken when comparing financial results. Further, MDBs serve different purposes and borrowers, which also affects the comparability of financial data.
We conducted our work in Washington, D.C., from January 2001 through April 2001 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. On May 11, 2001, we received comments from cognizant Treasury officials and have incorporated those views and other technical suggestions into our report, where appropriate.
section_title: Multilateral Development Banks: Their Missions, Functions, and Organization
paragraphs: Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) are autonomous international financial entities that finance economic and social development projects and programs and provide technical assistance in developing countries primarily using money borrowed from world capital markets or contributed by governments of developed countries. Governments are the shareholders—referred to as members—of the MDBs. MDB members include developing countries that borrow from the MDB as well as industrialized member countries. Through their participation on the boards of governors all members, including borrowing members, contribute to the capital of the MDBs and participate in oversight and in the setting of operating policies. The ability of the MDBs to borrow funds at more favorable loan terms than the loan recipients could otherwise negotiate gives developing countries access to foreign currency resources on more advantageous terms than would be available to them solely on the basis of their own international credit standing.
Several of the MDBs have created separate entities or funds to carry out specific types of development assistance, such as market-based lending or private sector investments. Table 1 shows each MDB group and its related entities.
The World Bank Group draws its membership from developing and industrialized countries around the world. It includes four institutions, each providing a different function in carrying out the World Bank Group’s mission of fighting poverty and improving the standard of living in developing countries throughout the world.
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)—the oldest and, based on total assets, largest MDB—is the World Bank entity that provides market-based loans, guarantees, and technical assistance to middle-income member countries and more creditworthy poorer member countries.
The International Development Association is the World Bank’s concessional lending arm that provides key support for the bank’s poorer members.
The International Finance Corporation provides loans, equity investments, and technical assistance for private sector enterprises.
The Multilateral Investment Guaranty Agency provides guarantees to foreign investors against loss caused by noncommercial risks, as well as technical assistance to host governments.
The remaining four MDB groups are referred to as regional development banks because they focus their development activities on a particular region. The regional development banks’ membership consists of developing or borrowing countries within a particular region of the world plus industrialized member countries located throughout the world. Four regional MDBs—and their lending arms that provide concessional lending or equity investments—included in this report are described below.
The African Development Bank Group includes the following two entities, which serve the development needs of Africa.
The African Development Bank provides market-based loans, equity investments, loan guarantees, and technical assistance to the public and private sector.
The African Development Fund is the concessional lending arm that provides technical assistance and key support for the bank’s poorer members.
The Asian Development Bank includes the following two operational lending arms, which serve the development needs of the Asian and Pacific regions.
The Asian Development Bank’s Ordinary Capital Resources provides market-based loans, equity investments, and loan guarantees, and it indirectly provides technical assistance to middle-income countries and creditworthy poorer countries.
The Asian Development Fund is the concessional lending arm that provides technical assistance and key support for the bank’s poorer members.
The Inter-American Development Bank group includes the following three lending arms, which serve the development needs of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Inter-American Development Bank’s Ordinary Capital provides market-based loans, guarantees, and technical assistance to the public and private sectors.
The Inter-American Development Bank’s Fund for Special Operations is the concessional lending arm that provides technical assistance and key support for the bank’s poorer members.
The Inter-American Investment Corporation is the Inter-American Development Bank group’s entity that provides loans, equity, and technical assistance to small and midsize private enterprises.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development serves central and eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. It provides development assistance through market-based loans, cofinancing, loan guarantees, equity investments, and technical assistance to the public and private sector.
subsections: section_title: Lending and Financing Activities
paragraphs: The MDBs included in our analysis approved about $40.1 billion of financial assistance to developing countries during the most recent fiscal year of operations for which data were available at January 1, 2001. The Latin American and Caribbean region received the largest portion of this development assistance with approximately $15.8 billion, while the Asian and Pacific region received $11.9 billion, Europe and Central Asia received $6.3 billion, and Africa received $6.1 billion. The World Bank Group accounted for about 53 percent of the development assistance during this period, while the regional MDBs provided the remaining 47 percent. Loans with market-based interest rates, equity investments, and loan guarantees accounted for about $33.5 billion of the MDBs’ total financial support provided during the most recent fiscal years of operations, while concessional lending amounted to about $6.6 billion.
The MDBs provide assistance in the form of loans, loan and investment guarantees, equity investments, and technical assistance. The primary vehicle for development assistance is market-based lending to member countries. Most loans are issued with market-based interest rates. However, as indicated in table 2, four of the five MDB groups offer loans at concessional rates, which are generally between zero and 4 percent. Concessional lending is provided to the poorest of the developing countries. Table 2 summarizes the type of development assistance provided by each of the MDB groups and their related entities.
MDBs issue loans, in various currencies, to the sovereign member countries and private sector enterprises for development projects within borrowing member countries. In some cases, a member country guarantees loans made to private sector enterprises for projects within the member’s country, and as a result, the member itself may be held liable for defaulted loans.
MDBs have lending policies that state that no further loan disbursements will be granted to borrowing members if any of the MDB loans to or guaranteed by the member country are in default. This gives the borrowing or guaranteeing member strong incentives to maintain timely loan repayments to the MDBs. Member countries must ensure that loans they have guaranteed also remain current. Therefore, the MDB is given preferred creditor status by member governments. Generally, this preferential status does not affect the MDBs’ loans to the private sector when there is no guarantee by a member country.
subsections: section_title: Market-Based Lending and Related Financing
paragraphs: Operations of MDBs that provide loans with market-based rates are financed primarily through borrowings from world capital markets, members’ paid-in capital, and retained earnings. Members also provide capital through subscriptions to callable capital, which resemble promissory notes from member countries to honor MDB debts if the MDB cannot otherwise meet its obligations through its other available resources. Calls on this type of capital are uniform based on all callable capital shares outstanding. Since member countries make payments independent of each other, if the amount received on a call were insufficient to meet the obligations for which the call was made, the MDB would make further calls until the amounts received were sufficient to meet its obligations. However, no member may be required to pay more than the unpaid balance of its total callable capital subscribed. To date, there has never been a call on this capital for any of the MDBs included in our report.
Callable capital may only be used when necessary to pay obligations of the MDB; it may not be used to fund new loans. Because of the significant proportion of callable capital that is subscribed by members with strong credit ratings, including the United States, MDBs are able to use callable capital as backing to obtain very favorable financing terms when borrowing from world capital markets. This allows the MDBs to lend much more than the amount of capital paid in by members and at more advantageous terms than would be available to borrowers solely on the basis of their own credit standings. MDBs that have callable capital from members include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Multilateral Investment Guaranty Agency, the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank’s Ordinary Capital Resources, the Inter-American Development Bank’s Ordinary Capital, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Dealing in various currencies and borrowing funds to finance lending operations exposes these MDBs to market risk, which is comprised of interest rate risk and exchange rate risk. To minimize these risks, MDBs (1) match the maturities of their assets and liabilities, (2) often set and semiannually adjust interest rates on loans based on their cost of borrowing funds, and (3) attempt to match the currency composition of their lending and borrowing portfolios. In addition, because of the developmental nature of their operations, the MDBs are exposed to credit risk from lending to low- and middle-income countries, which generally have lower credit quality. Each of the MDBs has established lending policies that attempt to minimize credit risk, including the suspension of further disbursements to members that have outstanding loans that are nonperforming or in a nonaccrual status.
section_title: Concessional Lending and Related Financing
paragraphs: The lending arms of the MDBs that provide concessional rate loans to the poorest of the developing countries—those meeting certain eligibility requirements—are financed through capital contributions from member countries and borrower repayments of outstanding loans. Due to the nature of concessional lending, these entities do not have callable capital subscriptions and do not borrow from world capital markets to finance their operations.
Unlike the market-based lending arms of the MDBs, which borrow from world capital markets to fund lending, concessional lending arms rely on capital replenishments or periodic contributions by members in order to continue lending operations. As a result, these entities do not have the same interest rate risks associated with borrowing in the marketplace to fund lending as do the MDBs that provide market-based lending through leveraging high-quality callable capital. However, due to the nature of concessional lending to the poorest of the developing countries, these entities are exposed to considerable credit risks. Because of the credit risk of their borrowers and the extended maturity structure of this type of lending, the concessional lending arms discussed in this report, except for the Asian Development Fund, do not estimate allowances for possible losses related to their loan portfolios.
The private sector MDB affiliates that provide equity investments rely on members’ paid-in capital contributions, as opposed to callable capital, to finance equity investment activities. However, these entities also borrow from world capital markets to finance lending operations. These affiliates include the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group and the Inter-American Investment Corporation.
section_title: Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative
paragraphs: The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative is a debt relief program aimed at the world’s poorest nations. The World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund proposed the HIPC Initiative in 1996 in response to a call from leaders of major industrial nations for a comprehensive approach to the debt problems of the poorest countries. Enhancements to the HIPC Initiative were implemented in 1999. The initiative was designed as a coordinated approach to reduce to sustainable levels the external debt burden of the most heavily indebted countries.The goal of the initiative is expected to provide $29.3 billion in debt relief to 32 eligible countries. Debt relief is linked to the support of economic and social programs designed to reduce poverty. The initiative calls for countries to prepare a comprehensive “country owned” poverty reduction strategy before completing the program. The MDBs that participate in the HIPC Initiative include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, the African Development Bank Group, and the Inter-American Development Bank.
The participation of some multilateral institutions is financed through a trust fund administered by the International Development Association of the World Bank Group. The HIPC Trust Fund receives contributions from participating countries. The HIPC Trust Fund’s operations and assets are completely separate from those of the International Development Association. The fund can prepay or purchase a portion of debt owed to participating MDBs and cancel such debt, or it can pay debt service as it comes due. In fiscal year 2001, the Congress authorized to be appropriated during the period of October 1, 2000, through September 30, 2003, $435 million for U.S. contributions to the HIPC Trust Fund.
section_title: Governance Structure
paragraphs: An MDB’s activities are overseen through a board of governors, with a governor from each member. In general, a board of governors is responsible for admitting new members, increasing or decreasing capital, suspending members, authorizing agreements for cooperation with other international organizations, making decisions about the board of executive directors, approving the bank’s financial statements, determining the reserves and the distribution of profits, and making decisions about the scope of the MDB’s operations. Each of the MDBs also has a board of executive directors to whom the board of governors has delegated oversight of day-to-day operations. In general, each board of executive directors is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the decisions of the board of governors; making decisions concerning loans, guarantees, investments, technical assistance, and borrowing funds; submitting accounts to the board of governors; and approving the budget of the bank. The MDB’s daily operations are carried out by its own management and staff of international civil servants.
Generally, MDBs were established pursuant to articles of agreement that specify the MDB’s purpose, operations, capital structure, and organizational policies. The articles   outline the bank’s conditions for borrowing and lending activities, including the loan approval process;   determine how voting shares are allocated to members (such allocations are generally based on a member’s subscribed capital or total contributions);   establish the status, immunity, and privileges of the MDB; and   provide for the disposition of currencies available to the bank, the withdrawal and suspension of members, and the suspension and termination of the bank’s operations.
As international financial entities, MDBs are not subject to supervision or oversight by national financial regulators. The MDBs’ own boards of executive directors are responsible for setting rules to be observed by the MDBs in their operations.
section_title: Financial Statement Audits
paragraphs: The MDBs included in our report received unqualified or “clean” audit opinions on their financial statements from large, international public accounting firms for the 3 most recent fiscal years. MDBs prepare their financial statements to comply with different bases of accounting. Some MDBs present their financial statements using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), while others use International Accounting Standards or a combination of the two. Due to the special nature and organization of the concessional lending arms of the MDBs, some of these entities prepare special-purpose financial statements that are meant to show the sources and uses of resources and to comply with accounting standards specific to the affiliate’s operations. The concessional lending arms that prepare special-purpose financial statements include the International Development Association, the African Development Fund, and the Inter-American Development Bank’s Fund for Special Operations.
section_title: Financial Data and Ratio Analysis
paragraphs: Later sections of this report present ratios for each MDB that can be used to interpret financial information related to MDB operations. Where applicable, the financial ratios are presented for each MDB. Standard & Poor’s used many of these same ratios in its evaluation of several of these MDBs.
Asset quality as it relates to the MDBs generally refers to the composition of the loan portfolio and is ultimately evidenced in the record of loan payments to the MDB. Asset quality reflects the creditworthiness of borrowers and is important for assessing credit risk. Asset quality also reflects the degree of concentration of risk, which considers the impact on the loan portfolio of potential default by the largest borrowers. The preferred creditor status attributed to MDBs generally improves the quality of the MDBs’ assets. Where applicable, the following financial information is presented to assess asset quality of the MDBs.
Concentration of loans to the MDBs’ five largest borrowers or countries of operation indicates the impact that an economic downturn in a specific region or country could have on the loan portfolio.
Nonaccrual loans as a percentage of total loans outstanding indicates the percentage of the MDB’s loan portfolio that is currently nonperforming.
Loan loss allowance as a percentage of total loans outstanding indicates how much the MDB estimates it will lose due to nonperformance or default as a result of credit risk related to its loan portfolio.
Loan loss allowance as a percentage of total nonaccrual loans indicates the sufficiency of the MDB’s allowances for estimated losses compared to its currently nonperforming portfolio.
Capital quality as it relates to the MDBs refers to the composition of capital as well as the portion of callable capital from the more creditworthy members. Where applicable, the following financial information is presented to assess the capital quality of the MDBs.
Paid-in capital as a percentage of total subscribed capital indicates the portion of subscribed capital that has been actually paid by members.
AAA rated callable capital as a percent of total callable capital indicates the quality of capital that has been subscribed but not paid-in by members. The quality of callable capital is important as a gauge of the ability of members to meet a capital call in the unlikely event that an MDB cannot service its debt.
Gearing ratios, as they relate to the MDBs, are measures of loans outstanding compared to the different types of capital available to the MDB. MDBs establish policies on gearing, which limit the ratio of outstanding loans to capital and reserves, to address the inherent risks of their lending activities. Where applicable, the following financial information is presented for the MDBs to use in assessing gearing.
Net disbursed loans as a percentage of paid-in capital plus reserves indicates the ability to absorb borrower defaults without resorting to capital calls. Paid-in capital plus reserves is a measure of funds actually available to the MDB.
Net disbursed loans as a percent of AAA callable capital plus paid-in capital and reserves indicates the ability of the MDB to absorb defaults.
Leverage is a measure of the MDB’s outstanding debt compared to the different types of its capital. Similar to gearing ratios, leverage limitations are established by some of the MDBs to address the inherent risks of their activities. Where applicable, the following financial information is presented for the MDBs to use in assessing leverage.
Outstanding debt as a percentage of paid-in capital plus reserves provides a comparison of an MDB’s outstanding debt with its paid-in capital plus reserves for funding its operations.
Outstanding debt as a percentage of AAA callable capital plus paid- in capital and reserves indicates the MDB’s ability to meet its outstanding debts with the support of the most creditworthy countries.
Liquidity is a measure of an MDB’s ability to pay its current debt service and to fund its lending operations on a timely basis. The MDBs’ assets from their lending operations are relatively illiquid. Therefore, MDBs must rely on sufficient liquid assets, such as investments in marketable securities, to ensure timely payment of debt service and disbursement of new loans. Where applicable, the following financial information is presented for the MDBs to use in assessing liquidity.
Liquid assets as a percentage of undisbursed loans plus 1 year of debt service indicates how well MDBs are able to meet their current obligations.
Administrative expenses ratio is a measure of administrative expenses compared to total expenses.
Administrative expenses as a percentage of total expenses indicates the portion of total expenses attributable to administrative activities of the MDBs.
Profitability ratio measures how well an entity performed during a given time period, usually a year. Although MDBs’ primary objective is to promote economic and social development and not to maximize profits, MDBs do seek to earn adequate income to cover their operational costs and to build adequate reserves.
Net operating income as a percent of average assets is the rate of return on an MDB’s assets for the year and is a key measure of the MDB’s profitability.
Because MDBs follow different accounting standards to prepare financial data, use different methodologies to estimate loan losses, and have different policies relating to nonaccrual loans, caution must be taken when comparing financial results. Further, MDBs serve different purposes and borrowers, which also affects the comparability of financial data.
subsections: section_title: Credit Ratings
paragraphs: Credit ratings are useful for assessing the MDB itself as well as its borrowers and members. Credit ratings apply to the MDBs insofar as they borrow in the market place to finance their lending activities. The credit ratings of borrowing countries also apply to MDBs insofar as the creditworthiness of an MDB’s borrowers affects the MDB’s loan portfolios. A credit rating is intended to convey a current evaluation of a borrower’s overall creditworthiness to pay its financial obligations. The borrower’s capacity and willingness to pay its obligations are taken into account in establishing a rating. Table 3 summarizes Standard & Poor’s long-term credit ratings. Borrowers rated AAA and AA are considered to have a very strong capacity for meeting financial commitments. Borrowers rated A and BBB have a strong-to-adequate capacity to meet financial commitments but with some susceptibility to adverse changes in circumstances. Borrowers rated BB, B, CCC, and CC have uncertainties and vulnerabilities in their abilities to meet their financial obligations, with BB indicating the least degree of uncertainty and vulnerability within that range and CC, the highest. BB through CC borrowers will likely have some mitigating quality and protective characteristics; however, these may be outweighed by great uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. Ratings from AA to CCC may be modified with a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show the relative standing within the major rating categories.
Despite the risks associated with the MDBs’ operations, many factors contribute to the generally high credit ratings several of the MDBs received from Standard & Poor’s. These factors include capital contributions and subscriptions from highly rated members, preferred creditor status attributed to obligations to the MDBs by borrowing members, and the MDBs’ overall conservative financial policies. Table 4 shows the credit ratings for six MDBs that primarily borrow from world capital markets to finance their lending activities.
section_title: U.S. Involvement in the Multilateral Development Banks
paragraphs: The Congress appropriates funds for U.S. contributions to the MDBs. The United States has provided a total of $40 billion to the MDBs included in this report. The largest cumulative U.S. contribution, $25.8 billion, has been made to the International Development Association. The United States has also subscribed to callable capital of $68.8 billion to the MDBs included in this report. The largest subscriptions of callable capital have been to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Inter-American Development Bank’s Ordinary Capital for $29.9 billion and $29 billion, respectively. For each of the MDBs included in our report, table 5 summarizes resources the United States has provided to the MDBs from inception through December 31, 1999, except for the MDBs affiliated with the World Bank Group, whose data are as of June 30, 2000. The United States is the largest member in most of these MDBs.
Tables 6 and 7 provide a summary of U.S. appropriations for contributions and approved callable capital subscriptions to the MDBs for fiscal years 1996 through 2001.
The Department of the Treasury oversees U.S. interests in the MDBs. The Secretary of the Treasury currently serves as the U.S. governor on each MDB board of governors. The United States has executive directors that are presidentially approved and confirmed by the U.S. Senate and that serve full-time on each MDB board of executive directors. Over time, the Congress has enacted many legislative policy mandates with respect to the MDBs. Many of the mandates direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors to use their “voice” and “vote” to pursue certain U.S. policies. These mandates, addressing a variety of issues, specify what U.S. policy shall be in particular situations or how the U.S. executive directors shall vote on particular issues. Voting shares of the MDBs are allocated to member countries based primarily on capital subscriptions or contributions but may also be affected by requirements established in some of the regional MDBs’ articles that allow regional member countries to maintain a certain level of control over operations. Table 8 summarizes the U.S. voting percentages at each MDB.
The following sections present more details on the MDBs and their related entities in which the United States has provided resources. These sections include summary information on the MDB background and mission, development activities, financing, and key financial data from the last 3 fiscal years.
section_title: The World Bank Group
paragraphs: The World Bank Group’s members include developing and industrialized countries around the world. The group includes four institutions, or lending arms, which provide different functions in carrying out the its mission of fighting poverty and improving the standard of living in developing countries throughout the world. These four institutions, discussed in more detail in the remainder of this section, are as follows:   The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)—the oldest and, based on total assets, the largest MDB—is the World Bank entity that provides market-based loans, guarantees, and technical assistance to middle-income countries and more creditworthy poorer countries.
The International Development Association is the World Bank’s concessional lending arm and provides support for the bank’s poorer member countries.
The International Finance Corporation provides loans, equity investments, and technical assistance for private sector enterprises.
The Multilateral Investment Guaranty Agency provides guarantees to foreign investors against loss caused by noncommercial risks, as well as technical assistance to host governments.
subsections: section_title: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
paragraphs: IBRD is a member of the World Bank Group and was established in 1945. The principal stated purpose of IBRD is to reduce poverty by promoting sustainable economic development. IBRD seeks to achieve this goal by providing loans, guarantees, and technical assistance for projects and programs of economic reform to its developing member countries, which are primarily middle-income and creditworthy poorer countries not limited to a specific region of the world. As reported in its fiscal year 2000 financial statements, IBRD had 181 members, of which 98 were borrowing countries. IBRD does not operate to maximize profits but seeks to earn adequate net income to ensure its financial strength and to support its development activities.
subsections: section_title: Development Activities
paragraphs: The primary vehicle of IBRD development assistance is direct lending. All of IBRD’s loans are made to or guaranteed by members, except for loans to the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation. IBRD offers several different loan products in a variety of currencies to meet the needs of its borrowers. In general, IBRD charges interest rates that are based on either IBRD’s average cost of borrowing plus a spread or the London Interbank Offer Rates (LIBOR) plus a spread. Repayment periods and grace periods depend on the type of loan or the borrower’s repayment abilities. The choice in financial terms is intended to provide borrowers with the flexibility to select terms that are both compatible with their debt management strategy and suited to their debt servicing capability. As of June 30, 2000, IBRD’s loans outstanding totaled approximately $120 billion, including $2.0 billion in nonaccrual status. As shown in table 9, nearly 42 percent of this outstanding balance is from IBRD’s five largest borrowing countries.
In fiscal year 2000, IBRD approved loans of about $10.9 billion to developing countries for projects and programs in various sectors. During fiscal year 2000, human development projects and programs were among IBRD’s lending priorities. These efforts are aimed at education, health, nutrition, and social protection. Strengthening the financial sector and improving public sector management and infrastructure needs, including transportation, telecommunications, and water supplies, were also a focus of fiscal year 2000 approvals. Development efforts in these areas are aimed at attracting private sector investment and poverty reduction in developing countries. In fiscal year 2000, Turkey received the greatest amount of new IBRD commitments, with approximately $1.8 billion in support of structural and social reforms, including over $750 million in response to a severe earthquake in the region.
section_title: Financing Activities
paragraphs: IBRD’s operations are financed through retained earnings, paid-in capital, and borrowings obtained from world capital markets using callable capital as backing. As of June 30, 2000, AAA-rated countries accounted for 44 percent of IBRD’s total callable capital. Based on its strong membership support and preferred creditor status, among other factors, IBRD received a AAA credit rating with a stable outlook for the future from Standard & Poor’s during September 2000. The quality of IBRD’s callable capital and its AAA credit rating allow the bank to borrow funds from world capital markets at favorable interest rates for long loan terms. This results in IBRD’s ability to pass on more favorable lending terms to borrowers than would normally be available to them based on their own credit standing.
section_title: Key Financial Data
paragraphs: IBRD’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and International Accounting Standards. IBRD received an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu for fiscal years 1998 through 2000. Table 10 summarizes key financial data related to IBRD’s results of operations over the past 3 fiscal years.
section_title: International Development Association
paragraphs: The International Development Association (IDA) was established in 1960 and is the concessional lending arm of the World Bank Group. IDA primarily supports poverty reduction by providing interest-free loans, called “credits,” to the poorest developing countries throughout the world. IDA also provides loan guarantees and technical assistance. In order to qualify for IDA lending, a country’s per capita income in 1999 had to be equivalent to less than U.S. $885, and the country had to have only limited or no creditworthiness for IBRD lending. IDA’s concessional lending is targeted to building the human capital, policies, institutions, and physical infrastructure needed to bring about equitable and sustainable growth. Specifically, many development projects address basic human needs, such as primary education, health services, clean water, and sanitation. IDA also funds projects that protect the environment, improve conditions for private business, build infrastructure, and support reforms that are aimed at liberalizing countries’ economies.
subsections: section_title: Development Activities
paragraphs: IDA credits generally have maturities of 35 or 40 years and offer 10-year grace periods on repayment of principal. There is no interest charge, but credits do carry a small service charge, currently 75 basis points of disbursed balances. As of June 30, 2000, IDA’s outstanding credits totaled approximately $86 billion, including $4.2 billion of credits in nonaccrual status. As shown in table 11, nearly 48 percent of IDA’s total credits outstanding were due from IDA’s five largest borrowing countries.
During fiscal year 2000, IDA approved approximately $4.4 billion in new credits to 52 countries. Nearly half of this new lending went to countries in Africa. The human development sector—which includes education, health and nutrition, and social protection—received approximately 38 percent of IDA’s lending during this period. India was the largest recipient of IDA credit approvals during fiscal year 2000, with IDA providing nearly $867 million in support of various projects. The next largest borrowers, Tanzania and Vietnam, received approximately $330 million and $286 million, respectively, in support of structural and social reform.
section_title: Financing
paragraphs: IDA’s concessional lending is financed primarily through developed member country contributions, repayments of outstanding credits by borrowers, services charges, and investment income. Since IDA does not charge interest to its borrowers, periodic contributions called replenishments are needed for IDA to continue its lending operations. These replenishments generally cover a 3-year period. In 1998, member countries agreed to the twelfth replenishment, which would allow lending of approximately $20.5 billion for fiscal years 2000 through fiscal year 2002. This replenishment included $11.6 billion of member country contributions, a $0.9 billion contribution from IBRD’s net income, and $8.0 billion from IDA’s own funds, consisting of borrower repayments and investment income.
section_title: Key Financial Data
paragraphs: Due to the special nature and organization of IDA, financial statements are prepared for the specific purpose of reflecting the sources and uses of member contributions and other development resources. IDA’s special- purpose financial statements are prepared to comply with procedures set forth in its Articles of Agreement and agreed upon by members. Under IDA’s special accounting procedures, management has elected to present loans at the full face value and does not estimate a loan loss allowance related to its loan portfolio. The financial statements are not meant to comply with U.S. GAAP or International Accounting Standards. IDA received an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu for fiscal years 1998 through 2000. Table 12 summarizes some of the key financial data concerning IDA’s financial position over the past 3 fiscal years.
section_title: International Finance Corporation
paragraphs: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group and was established in 1956 to further economic growth in its developing member countries by promoting private sector development. IFC’s primary objective is to provide loans and equity investments to private sector enterprises where sufficient private capital is not otherwise available on reasonable terms. Unlike most MDBs, IFC loans are not guaranteed by benefiting countries. In addition, IFC provides technical assistance and financial advice to businesses and governments. Membership in IFC is open only to those countries that are members of the World Bank. IFC had 174 members at the end of fiscal year 2000.
subsections: section_title: Development Activities
paragraphs: According to IFC’s Articles of Agreement, investments are to be made in productive private enterprises. To be eligible for IFC financing, projects must meet profitability and project viability criteria, benefit the economy of the host country, and comply with stringent developmental impact requirements. IFC’s main investment activity is making loans for private entrepreneurial projects, which may involve expansions and modernization efforts. Its lending activities include cofinancing, loan syndication, underwriting, and guarantees, which act as a catalyst for additional project funding from other lenders and investors. IFC also makes equity investments, typically through the purchase of common or preferred stock.
As of June 30, 2000, IFC’s outstanding loan and equity investment portfolio was $10.9 billion, an increase of 9 percent over the previous year’s portfolio of $10 billion. Loans account for the major part of the financing provided by IFC, representing $8.3 billion or about 76 percent of the outstanding portfolio, while equity investments of $2.6 billion or about 24 percent of its outstanding portfolio were held by IFC as of June 30, 2000.
IFC provides loans and equity investments for a wide range of sectors to promote development in its member countries located throughout the world. The two largest sectors are financial services and infrastructure, which accounted for $4.7 billion or 43 percent of its $10.9 billion loan and equity investment portfolio. Other sectors include mining, agribusiness, manufacturing, chemicals, timber, textile, and tourism. As of June 30, 2000, approximately $4.3 billion or 39 percent of IFC’s outstanding loan and equity investment portfolio related to development in the Latin America and Caribbean region. This region has received $4.3 billion of $10.9 billion or 39 percent of IFC’s loan and equity investment portfolio.
As shown in table 13, 40 percent of IFC’s cumulative financing has been provided to five countries. Since IFC loans are made to the private sector and are not guaranteed by a member, the risk related to individual projects is more meaningful than the credit rating of the member country in which the project is located.
IFC raises most of the funds for its lending and equity investment activities by issuing notes, bonds, and debt securities in the international capital markets. IFC may borrow in the public markets of a member country only with approvals from that member. In fiscal year 2000, IFC borrowed $4.4 billion. As of June 30, 2000, IFC’s total outstanding debt was $14.9 billion. Also, IFC finances its operations through borrowing from the World Bank’s IBRD, paid-in capital, and retained earnings. As of fiscal year 2000, IFC had $2.4 billion of subscribed paid-in capital from its member countries.
section_title: Key Financial Data
paragraphs: IFC’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and with International Accounting Standards. IFC received an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu for fiscal years 1998, 1999, and 2000. Table 14 summarizes key financial data related to IFC’s results of operations over the past 3 fiscal years.
section_title: Multilateral Investment Guaranty Agency
paragraphs: The Multilateral Investment Guaranty Agency (MIGA) is a member of the World Bank Group and was established in 1988. Unlike the other entities of the World Bank, MIGA does not provide loans to member governments or private enterprises. Instead, MIGA provides investment guarantees and insurance to foreign investors. The guarantees and insurance are intended to stimulate foreign investment in developing countries by private investors and commercially operated public sector companies. MIGA also provides technical assistance to host governments advising on ways to enhance their ability to attract foreign direct investment. MIGA’s operations are structured to supplement the activities of the other institutions of the World Bank Group. MIGA had 152 member countries at June 30, 2000.
subsections: section_title: Investment Guarantees
paragraphs: To meet its objectives of promoting economic growth and development, MIGA provides investment guarantees for up to 20 years against the political risks of: (1) transfer restrictions, (2) expropriation, (3) breach of contract, and (4) war and civil disturbances in the host country. Investments eligible for MIGA guarantees include equity, loans, and loan guarantees, provided that contractual commitments have terms of at least 3 years. Generally, guarantees can be made for up to 90 percent of the investment contribution, plus additional amounts to cover earnings or interest. MIGA seeks to guarantee those investment projects that contribute to the host country’s needs and are also financially, economically, and environmentally sound.
MIGA obtains reinsurance to augment its underwriting capacity and to protect portions of its insurance portfolio. The difference between MIGA’s total guarantees outstanding and the portion of its portfolio covered by reinsurance is MIGA’s net exposure. Although MIGA remains liable for the entire guaranteed amount, the reinsurance provides MIGA with a source of recovery in the event that it must cover an insured incident.
MIGA’s outstanding investment guarantees at the end of fiscal year 2000 were $4.4 billion. During fiscal year 2000, outstanding guarantees increased by 19 percent from $3.7 billion to $4.4 billion. MIGA’s guarantee investment portfolio is diversified across several sectors. The financial sector accounts for $1.5 billion, or 34 percent, followed by the infrastructure sector, which accounts for $1.3 billion, or 29 percent of the portfolio. Investment guarantees are made throughout the developing regions in the world. The Latin America and Caribbean region accounts for a significant portion of the outstanding portfolio with $2.2 billion of investment guarantees, or 51 percent of the portfolio. The majority of the guarantees were granted to investors from the Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and they account for 20.5 percent, 19.7 percent, and 15.6 percent, respectively.
MIGA finances its operations through member country subscriptions, which initially were 20 percent to paid-in capital and the remaining 80 percent to callable capital. In March 1999, MIGA’s board of governorsapproved an increase in capital resources to $2 billion, with the subscription period ending March 28, 2002. As of June 30, 2000, member countries have provided subscriptions totaling $1.27 billion, including $1 billion in callable capital. In addition to member subscriptions, MIGA earns income from premiums and fees for its guarantees and from its investments. In fiscal year 2000, MIGA had income from its guarantees of $29.5 million and investment income of $23.5 million.
section_title: Key Financial Data
paragraphs: MIGA’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and International Accounting Standards. MIGA received an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu for fiscal years 1998, 1999, and 2000. Table 16 summarizes key financial data related to MIGA’s results of operations over the past 3 fiscal years.
section_title: African Development Bank Group
paragraphs: The African Development Bank Group includes the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Development Fund (AfDF) which serve the development needs of Africa. AfDB provides market-based loans and other development assistance to the public and private sector. As of December 31, 1999, AfDB had outstanding loans of $9.3 billion. AfDF provides concessional loans, which provide key support to the bank’s poorest members. As of December 31, 1999, AfDF had outstanding loans of $7.7 billion.
subsections: section_title: African Development Bank
paragraphs: AfDB is a regional MDB established in 1964. The principal stated purpose of AfDB is to promote sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty in Africa. In this effort, AfDB targets agriculture, rural development, human resources development, and private sector development. AfDB has 77 member countries, including 53 regional members, which account for approximately 63 percent of the bank’s total subscribed capital. In its 1999 annual report, AfDB reported that only 13 of its borrowing member countries were eligible for AfDB resources, while 39 borrowing member countries were eligible solely for concessional assistance through AfDF.
subsections: section_title: Development Activities
paragraphs: AfDB provides development assistance through market-based loans, loan guarantees, equity investments, cofinancing, and technical assistance. Except for private sector development loans, all of the bank’s loans are made to or guaranteed by member countries. AfDB currently offers several types of loan products available in a variety of currencies to meet the needs of its borrowers. Interest rates are primarily based on the bank’s cost of borrowing plus a spread. Loan repayment periods and grace periods vary according to the borrowers. As of December 31, 1999, AfDB had approximately $9.3 billion of outstanding loans, including $1.3 billion that were in nonaccrual status. As shown in table 17, approximately 60 percent of the bank’s total loans outstanding are to its five largest borrowers.
As AfDB reported in its annual report, during 1999, it approved about $1.1 billion of new lending and equity investments, of which approximately $920 million, or 86 percent were loans to or guaranteed by member countries. The remaining approvals were for private sector loans, HIPC debt relief, equity investments, and emergency operations. The majority of the new loans to or guaranteed by member countries related to the agriculture sector and to policy and structural reforms to encourage an environment conducive to sustainable growth. For example, about $141 million was approved for Tunisia to improve efficiency in resource allocation for a competitive economy, and Zimbabwe received about $130 million to support government reform efforts to reallocate public expenditures to education, health, and poverty reduction activities.
Also during 1999, AfDB contributed about $376 million for cofinancing operations with official agencies and private financial institutions to promote the flow of resources to its borrowing member countries. AfDF provided an additional $120 million toward these cofinancing operations. External sources provided an additional $1.8 billion to member country borrowers as a result of the bank group’s cofinancing activities during 1999. These ventures related primarily to policy based programs, debt relief, poverty reduction, and the transportation sector. The World Bank was the largest cofinancing partner during 1999.
section_title: Financing Activities
paragraphs: AfDB’s operations are financed through retained earnings, paid-in capital from members, and funds borrowed from world capital markets using callable capital as backing. As of December 31, 1999, AAA rated countries accounted for approximately 25.5 percent of AfDB’s total callable capital. The major goal of AfDB’s borrowing strategy is to minimize the cost of its funding, which is passed on to its borrowers, and to maximize the development impact of its operations. In 1999, the fifth capital increase intended to provide 35 percent more capital to AfDB became effective. As of December 31, 1999, 26 of AfDB’s 77 member countries had deposited their subscriptions. In September 2000, based on conservative borrowing policies and an increased capital base, AfDB received a AA+ credit rating with a negative outlook for the future from Standard & Poor’s because of the continual deterioration in the asset quality of its loan portfolio.
section_title: Key Financial Data
paragraphs: AfDB’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards. AfDB received unqualified audit opinions on its financial statements from Deloitte & Touche LLP for 1997, 1998, and 1999. Table 18 summarizes key financial data related to AfDB’s results of operations over the past 3 years.
section_title: African Development Fund
paragraphs: AfDF is the concessional lending arm of the AfDB Group and was established in 1973. AfDF provides loans on concessional terms for projects and programs, as well as technical assistance to the bank group’s low-income regional borrowing member countries that do not qualify for lending from AfDB. As of December 1999, 75 percent of the bank group’s regional member countries were solely eligible for the Fund’s concessional lending due to their credit standing, except for limited AfDB lending available for projects with the private sector and distinct territories within these member countries.
subsections: section_title: Development Activities
paragraphs: AfDF offers loans with very favorable loan terms, including no interest charges and extended repayment and grace periods. The fund does charge minimal service charges on outstanding loan balances and undisbursed commitments. As of December 31, 1999, AfDF’s outstanding loans were approximately $7.7 billion, including $892 million in nonaccrual status. As shown in table 19, nearly 28 percent of the Fund’s total loans outstanding were to AfDF’s five largest borrowers.
During 1999, AfDF approved about $630 million of new financing to the bank group’s borrowing member countries. Approximately $518 million or 82 percent related to loans or lines of credit. The remainder related to technical assistance grants, HIPC debt relief, and other debt alleviation. The majority of the new loan approvals related to the agriculture sector, social sector, and multisector. Agriculture-related lending focused on improving output and food security, enhancing rural incomes, and reducing poverty. Social sector lending focused on improving access and quality of education and health services. Multisector lending included improving access to financial services, especially for women, and building the institutional and income-generating capabilities of target populations.
section_title: Financing
paragraphs: To continue lending operations, AfDF relies on net income, borrower repayments, and contributions from 27 members, including AfDB, which has contributed nearly 12 percent of AfDF’s total contributions and maintains 50 percent of the voting shares. The eighth replenishment of the Fund was approved by the Board of Governors and became effective in December 1999. This replenishment authorized subscriptions for contributions of approximately $3.0 billion, which would enable AfDF to continue concessional lending from 1999 through 2001. As of December 31, 1999, $1.6 billion of the total contribution subscriptions authorized in the eighth replenishment were contributed.
section_title: Key Financial Data
paragraphs: Because of the special nature and organization of AfDF, financial statements are currently prepared for the specific purpose of reflecting the net development resources of the Fund. Under AfDF’s special accounting basis, outstanding loans are not included in development resources available, and, accordingly, no allowance for possible loan losses is recorded. AfDF’s special-purpose financial statements are prepared to comply with procedures set forth in its Articles of Agreement establishing the Fund and agreed upon by members. The financial statements are not meant to comply with International Accounting Standards. AfDF received an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements from Deloitte & Touche LLP for 1997 through 1999. Table 20 summarizes some of the key financial data of AfDF’s financial position over the past 3 years.
section_title: Asian Development Bank
paragraphs: The Asian Development Bank (AsDB) group includes Ordinary Capital Resources (OCR) and the Asian Development Fund (AsDF), which serve the development needs of the Asian and Pacific regions. OCR provides market-based loans, equity investment, guarantees, and indirectly provides technical assistance to middle-income countries and creditworthy poorer countries. As of December 31, 1999, OCR had outstanding loans of $28.3 billion. AsDF provides concessional loans and is key to supporting the bank’s poverty reduction mission. As of December 31, 1999, AsDF had outstanding loans of $16.0 billion.
subsections: section_title: Asian Development Bank’s Ordinary Capital Resources
paragraphs: AsDB is a regional bank established in 1966. As reported in its 1999 annual report, AsDB had 58 member countries, including 42 regional members, which had contributed approximately 64 percent of OCR’s total subscribed capital. OCR’s principal stated purpose is to reduce poverty in its Asian and Pacific region borrowing member countries through (1) economic growth projects and programs to facilitate employment and income generation for the poor, (2) social development programs to improve the standard of living for the poor, and (3) good governance to ensure that the poor have access to basic services. OCR also pursues activities to foster economic growth, support human development, improve the status of women, protect the environment, and encourage private sector development activities, which also serve the overall goal of reducing poverty.
subsections: section_title: Development Activities
paragraphs: OCR provides development assistance through market-based loans, loan guarantees, and cofinancing with the public and private sectors. OCR also finances equity investments in private enterprises and indirectly provides technical assistance, which is provided primarily through special funds operated by AsDB. Except for private sector loans, all of the bank’s loans are made to or guaranteed by borrowing member countries. AsDB offers several types of loan products available in a variety of currencies to meet the needs of its borrowers through its OCR. Interest rates are primarily based on the bank’s cost of borrowing plus a spread, and repayment terms range from 4 to 30 years. As of December 31, 1999, OCR had $28.3 billion in outstanding loans, of which nearly 99 percent was loaned to or guaranteed by borrowing members and less than $73 million was in a nonaccrual status. As shown in table 21, approximately 79 percent of the total loans outstanding balance were due from the bank’s five largest borrowers.
During 1999, OCR approved about $3.9 billion in loans to private and public borrowers, including $2.5 billion related to cofinancing activities. The bank’s concessional lending Asian Development Fund provided an additional $699 million in cofinancing activities. Combined, these cofinancing activities attracted an additional $3.0 billion from external sources to the bank’s borrowing member countries. A significant portion of the bank’s loans served the social infrastructure sector with projects relating to water supply and sanitation, education, health, housing, and other urban infrastructure facilities. The other sectors that received significant assistance related to energy, transportation, and communication. During 1999, the People’s Republic of China was the largest borrower with about $1.2 billion in approved loans in the energy, social infrastructure, and transportation and communication sectors. Indonesia was the second largest borrower with loan approvals of about $1.0 billion related primarily to energy and health. Combined, these two countries accounted for approximately 58 percent of OCR’s loan approvals during 1999.
section_title: Financing Activities
paragraphs: OCR’s operations are financed through retained earnings, paid-in capital, and funds borrowed from world capital markets using callable capital as backing. As of December 31, 1999, AAA rated countries accounted for about 43 percent of OCR’s total callable capital. AsDB’s last general capital increase became effective in 1994. Based on AsDB’s strong financial profile, conservative financial policies, and strong member support, AsDB received a AAA credit rating with a stable outlook for the future from Standard & Poor’s in September 2000. The quality of OCR’s callable capital and its AAA credit rating allow the bank to borrow funds from world capital markets at favorable interest rates and loan terms. This results in the bank’s ability to pass on to borrowers more favorable lending terms than would normally be available based on their own credit standing.
section_title: Key Financial Data
paragraphs: AsDB’s OCR financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. OCR received unqualified audit opinions on its financial statements from PricewaterhouseCoopers for 1997 through 1999. Table 22 summarizes key financial data related to the results of operations for AsDB’s OCR over the past 3 years.
section_title: Asian Development Fund
paragraphs: AsDF was established in 1974 and is the concessional lending arm of AsDB that provides loans to the bank’s least developed borrowing member countries in the Asian and Pacific region. These are members which have low per capita gross national product and limited debt repayment capacity. AsDF supports activities that promote poverty reduction and improve the quality of life for the poor.
subsections: section_title: Development Activities
paragraphs: AsDF provides concessional loans to the bank’s members at favorable interest rates and loan terms. Interest rates are 1.5 percent and repayment periods range from 24 to 32 years, including an 8-year grace period. The Fund requires borrowers to absorb exchange risks attributable to fluctuations in the value of the currencies disbursed. As of December 31, 1999, AsDF had approximately $16.0 billion of outstanding loans, including $536 million in nonaccrual status. Approximately 76 percent of the Fund’s balance of outstanding loans was due from its five largest borrowers.
During 1999, AsDF approved $1.1 billion in new loans, including $699 million of cofinancing lending, which primarily related to development in the transportation, communication, and social infrastructure sectors. During this period, Bangladesh was the largest borrower with about $250 million in loans approved in the energy, social infrastructure, and transportation and communication sectors. Vietnam was the second largest borrower with loan approvals for about $155 million primarily related to social infrastructure and industry sectors. Combined, these two countries accounted for approximately 38 percent of AsDF’s loan approvals during 1999.
section_title: Financing
paragraphs: AsDF finances its operations with retained earnings, investment income, and contributions from 26 member countries, both regional and nonregional. AsDF’s resources have been augmented by seven replenishments. The Board of Governors authorized the seventh replenishment in 1997. Under the replenishment, contributions were scheduled to become available to AsDF in four equal installments during 1997 through 2000. In 2000, the Board of Governors approved the eighth replenishment of AsDF resources.
section_title: Key Financial Data
paragraphs: AsDF’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. AsDF received an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements from PricewaterhouseCoopers for 1997 through 1999. Table 24 summarizes key financial data related to AsDF’s financial position over the past 3 years.
section_title: Inter-American Development Bank
paragraphs: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is the oldest and, based on total assets, largest regional MDB. It was established in 1959 to help accelerate economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Current lending priorities include poverty reduction; social equity; improving the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of the public sector; economic integration, including trade agreements; and the environment. IDB consists of the following entities as well as several funds in administration, which provide financing and technical assistance, and the Intermediate Financing Facility Account:  The Inter-American Development Bank’s Ordinary Capital (OC) provides market-based loans, guarantees, and technical assistance to the public and private sector.
The Inter-American Development Bank’s Fund for Special Operations is the concessional lending arm that provides technical assistance and key support for the bank’s poorer members.
The Inter-American Investment Corporation is the Inter-American Development Group’s entity that provides loans and equity, and technical assistance to small and midsize private enterprises.
During 1999, IDB approved $9.5 billion in new loans and loan guarantees for the benefit of borrowing regional member countries primarily through the Ordinary Capital and the Fund for Special Operations. Approximately $4.3 billion of these new lending approvals were for the social sector and related to improving economic opportunities for the poor, strengthening the social infrastructure, such as education and health, and promoting equitable access to social services.
subsections: section_title: Inter-American Development Bank’s Ordinary Capital
paragraphs: Most of the operations of IDB are conducted through OC. The operations and resources of OC are maintained separately from those of IDB’s other entities and various funds. The members of the bank include 28 regional and 18 nonregional countries. Developing regional members had subscribed approximately 50 percent of OC’s total subscribed capital at December 31, 1999. OC provides development assistance in the form of loans made to or guaranteed by members as well as loans and loan guarantees to private sector enterprises located within its regional borrowing member countries. Loans to the private sector without a member’s guarantee are limited to 5 percent of the bank’s outstanding loans and guarantees.
subsections: section_title: Development Activities
paragraphs: The primary vehicle of OC’s development assistance is direct lending. OC offers several different loan products that are disbursed in a variety of currencies. In general, interest rates charged on these loans are based on the bank’s cost of borrowing or on LIBOR, plus an interest rate spread, which is currently 50 basis points. Repayment periods range from 15 to 30 years. As of December 31, 1999, OC’s loans outstanding totaled approximately $38.6 billion and were all fully performing. IDB has never had a write-off of any of its OC loans.
During 1999, OC approved $9.1 billion in loans and loan guarantees for its borrowing regional member countries, of which approximately 97 percent were loans. Brazil received about $4.8 billion, or 53 percent of OC’s approvals during 1999. Lending to Brazil included a $2.2 billion loan for social sector reform and a social protection program and a $1.2 billion loan to further develop small and medium-size productive sectors by making more market-rate financing available. Columbia and Mexico were the next largest borrowers in 1999 with about $1.0 billion and $919 million, respectively. As shown in table 25, nearly 69 percent of OC’s total loans outstanding were due from its five largest borrowing countries.
OC’s operations are financed through retained earnings, paid-in capital, and borrowings obtained from world capital markets using callable capital as backing. As of December 31, 1999, AAA rated countries accounted for about 41 percent of OC’s total callable capital. Based on membership support, preferred creditor status, and strong franchise value as a result of its lending expertise, OC received a AAA credit rating with a stable outlook for the future from Standard & Poor’s during September 2000. The quality of OC’s callable capital and its strong credit rating allow the bank to borrow funds from world capital markets at favorable loan terms. This allows the bank to pass on to borrowers more favorable lending terms than would normally be available based on their own credit standing. OC’s most recent and eighth capital increase, approved by IDB’s Board of Governors in 1995, increased the bank’s resources by $40 billion, bringing total capital to about $101 billion.
section_title: Key Financial Data
paragraphs: OC financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. OC received an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements from Arthur Andersen, LLP for 1997 through 1999. Table 26 summarizes key financial data related to OC’s results of operations over the past 3 years.
section_title: Inter-American Development Bank’s Fund for Special Operations
paragraphs: The Fund for Special Operations (FSO) of IDB provides loans on concessional terms to the bank’s borrowing regional member countries that are classified as economically less developed. FSO also provides technical assistance to borrowing countries. FSO makes low-interest and longer-maturity loans for countries in the region that require such financing.
subsections: section_title: Development Activities
paragraphs: Concessional loans of FSO are made to or guaranteed by borrowing regional member countries. The rate of interest and other loan terms of FSO loans depend on the type of currency that is lent to the borrower, the stage of the country’s development, and the nature of the project. Generally, these loans charge interest rates from 1 to 4 percent, offer grace periods of 5 to 10 years, and have maturities of 25 to 40 years. As of December 31, 1999, FSO’s loans outstanding totaled approximately $7.0 billion and were all fully performing. FSO has never had a write-off except for debt relief resulting from the implementation of the HIPC Initiative. As shown in table 27, nearly 51 percent of FSO’s total loans outstanding was due from its five largest borrowing countries. During 1999, FSO approved about $417 million in loans to Bolivia, Guyana, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
FSO operations are financed primarily through borrower repayments, investment income, and contributions from 46 member countries. FSO does not borrow from the world market to obtain additional funding for its operations. The most recent and eighth increase in contributions was effective in 1995. This increase in contributions increased the authorized resources of FSO by approximately $1.0 billion, bringing total contributions to $9.6 billion.
section_title: Key Financial Data
paragraphs: Because of the special nature and organization of the FSO, its financial statements are prepared on a special accounting basis that comply with procedures set forth in IDB’s Articles of Agreement and agreed upon by members. This special accounting basis is not meant to be consistent with U.S. GAAP. Under FSO’s special accounting basis, management has elected to present loans at the full face value and does not estimate a loan loss allowance related to its loan portfolio. FSO received unqualified audit opinions on its financial statements from Arthur Andersen, LLP, for 1997 through 1999. Table 28 summarizes key financial data related to FSO’s financial position over the past 3 years.
section_title: Inter-American Investment Corporation
paragraphs: The Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC), a multilateral organization, was established in 1986. Although a member of the IDB Group, IIC is autonomous, and its resources and management are separate from those of the IDB. IIC’s mission is to promote the economic development of its Latin American and Caribbean member countries by financing small and medium-size enterprises. IIC has 37 member countries that include 26 Latin American and Caribbean countries, 8 European countries, and Israel, Japan, and the United States. Its development investment activities are limited to its 26 regional developing member countries.
subsections: section_title: Development Activities
paragraphs: IIC provides project financing in the form of loans and equity investments, lines of credit to local intermediaries, and investments in local and regional investment funds. IIC seeks to make loan and equity investments where sufficient private capital is difficult to obtain or otherwise not available on reasonable terms. Project funding is supplemented by other investors and lenders through cofinancing or loan syndication. IIC provides loan amounts up to 33 percent of the cost of a new project and up to 50 percent of the cost of an expansion project. IIC makes equity investments of up to 33 percent of a company’s capital. In addition, the IIC provides financial and technical advisory services as part of its evaluation of the project’s soundness and probability of success.
During 1999, IIC approved $192 million in loans and equity investments. Loans accounted for 89 percent of IIC approvals during the year. Projects supporting the financial services sector received approximately 51 percent of these new approvals. Regional projects and projects in Bolivia received the largest portions of IIC approvals with approximately 22 percent and 10 percent, respectively. As of December 31, 1999, IIC had approximately $353 million in loans and equity investments outstanding. As shown in table 29, nearly 61 percent of IIC’s total outstanding loans and equity investments related to four of its largest countries of operations, as well as projects covering the entire region.
IIC receives its financing primarily from capital subscriptions from its member countries. IIC does not have callable capital to finance its development activities. On December 14, 1999, the Board of Governors approved a resolution increasing the authorized capital of IIC from $203.7 million to $703.7 million. The resolution called for $500 million for subscriptions by member countries as of February 28, 2000. Member country subscriptions are based on their voting shares and are paid in several installments, the last being payable on or before October 31, 2007.
section_title: Key Financial Data
paragraphs: IIC’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. IIC has received unqualified audit opinions on its financial statements from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for 1997 through 1999. Table 30 summarizes key financial data related to IIC’s results of operations over the past 3 years.
section_title: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
paragraphs: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a regional bank established in 1990. As of December 31, 1999, EBRD’s 60 members consisted of 58 sovereign countries, including 26 countries of operation that have contributed about 12 percent of EBRD’s total subscribed capital, the European Community, and the European Investment Bank. EBRD’s principal stated purpose is to foster the transition toward open market-oriented economies and to promote private and entrepreneurial initiatives in the countries of central and eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States that are committed to applying principles of multiparty democracy, pluralism, and market economies.
subsections: section_title: Development Activities
paragraphs: EBRD provides development assistance through public and private loans, cofinancing, loan guarantees, share investments, and technical assistance. Through its operations, it promotes private sector activity, the strengthening of financial institutions and legal systems, and the development of infrastructure needed to support the private sector. The majority of the bank’s private sector lending and investments do not include a sovereign guarantee by a member. As of December 31, 1999, EBRD had $7.0 billion in loans outstanding, including $455 million in a nonaccrual status. As shown in table 31, approximately 57 percent of total loans outstanding related to EBRD’s five largest countries of operations.
During 1999, EBRD approved about $2.2 billion for its financing operations. Approximately 71 percent of these approvals related to private sector loans or equity investments. The majority of these approvals related to financial institutions, industry and commerce, and the infrastructure sectors. EBRD has always placed emphasis on the financial institution sector, recognizing that a well-functioning market economy requires a sound and effective financial sector capable of commanding the confidence of a country’s population. The industry and commerce sector includes projects related to agriculture, natural resources, tourism, and telecommunications. The infrastructure sector relates to power and energy utilities, transportation, and municipal and environmental infrastructure. During 1999, regional development projects and projects within the Ukraine and Czech Republic received the most of the bank’s new approvals.
section_title: Financing Activities
paragraphs: EBRD’s operations are financed through retained earnings, paid-in capital from members, and funds borrowed from world capital markets using callable capital as backing. As of December 31, 1999, members with a AAA credit rating accounted for about 60 percent of EBRD’s total callable capital. EBRD’s most recent capital increase to EBRD was approved in 1996. As of December 31, 1999, 56 out of 60 members had participated in the increase and brought the total amount subscribed to about 97 percent of the approved total capital increase. Based on EBRD’s strong membership support; prudent policy limits on the bank’s operations, gearing, and liquidity; and strengthening of the organization, EBRD received a AAA credit rating with a stable outlook for the future from Standard & Poor’s in September 2000.
section_title: Key Financial Data
paragraphs: EBRD’s financial statements are prepared to comply with International Accounting Standards, and EBRD received an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements from Arthur Andersen for 1997 through 1999. Table 32 summarizes key financial data related to EBRD’s results of operations over the past 3 years.
section_title: Agency Comments
paragraphs: On May 11, 2001, we received comments of a technical nature from cognizant Treasury officials. We have incorporated these technical comments as appropriate.
We are sending copies of this report to the Honorable Paul H. O’Neill, Secretary of the Treasury, and other interested parties. Copies will be made available to others upon request.
Please contact Jeanette Franzel, Acting Director, at (202) 512-9471 or by email at franzelj@gao.gov if you or your staffs have any questions concerning this report. Key contributors to this report were Darryl Chang, Marcia Carlsen, Julia Ziegler, and Meg Mills.