As a reflection of the strength of the institution's capital backing as well as its prudent financial policies and risk controls, debt issued by the World Bank has been Triple- A rated since 1959.  The World Bank´s debt instruments represent a more diversified country-risk profile than sovereign or sovereign-guaranteed debt and are not vulnerable to many of the types of risk than can impair the long-term value of corporate bonds.

The financial strength is backed by IBRD's 185 sovereign shareholders and their capital which can only be called to satisfy bondholders' claims and certain guarantee obligations.  The World Bank's statutory lending limit restricts lending to a maximum of one dollar of loans, loan participations and guarantees to one dollar of subscribed capital, reserves, and surplus. Borrowings through debt issuance account for about 50% of subscribed capital, reserves, and surplus. The World Bank has achieved an annual operating income of above US$1 billion for more than 15 years.

World Bank lending is limited to sovereign or sovereign-guaranteed projects and programs. It is the World Bank´s practice not to reschedule interest or principal payments on its loans, and the World Bank has never written off a loan. Strict concentration limits and broad sector diversification further minimize lending risks.  The World Bank is one of the most prudent and conservative financial institutions in the world.

The World Bank is recognized by the major rating agencies to enjoy a preferred creditor status with its borrower-shareholders.

"International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Credit Ratings: AAA/Stable/A-1+
Major Rating Factors
Strengths:
- Strong capital position and liquidity.
- Prudent financial management and policies.
- Historically strong membership support and expected

  continued treatment as a preferred creditor.

Standard & Poor´s (Mar. 2008)

"The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), more commonly known as the World Bank, is rated Aaa due to the following factors: (1) a strong capital base and support from its highly-rated shareholders; (2) its proven status as a preferred creditor; and (3) its sound financial management"

Moody´s Investors Service (Oct. 2007)