BCIE obtains AA+ rating, the highest in Latin America

The BCIE achieved a historic milestone after S&P Global Ratings upgraded the institution’s credit rating to AA+, marking the highest rating ever awarded to the multilateral bank. The announcement comes during the second year of leadership under Executive President Gisela Sánchez.

S&P Upgrades BCIE from AA to AA+

S&P Global Ratings confirmed the improvement of the bank’s long-term rating from “AA” to “AA+”.

According to the institution, this achievement represents “the highest credit rating in its history and the fourth positive action in 2025 from leading international agencies.”

BCIE officials emphasized that this upgrade strengthens its position as one of Latin America’s most reliable multilateral financial institutions and a trusted player in global markets.

Executive President Gisela Sánchez highlighted the significance of the news:

“This upgrade to ‘AA+’ is a historic milestone that validates our financial strength and the full confidence of our member countries.”

She added that the rating directly benefits the 15 member nations:

“It allows us to channel resources under better conditions, generating concrete savings for national budgets and reinforcing our role as a driver of positive transformation in the region.” Sánchez also noted that the achievement “demonstrates that ethics, transparency, technical rigor and excellence are yielding tangible results.”

What the AA+ Rating Means for Member Countries

In its official statement, S&P said the AA+ rating reflects BCIE’s “exceptional financial strength, prudent risk management, and outstanding capacity to meet its financial obligations.”

With this rating, BCIE gains improved access to global financial markets at more competitive interest rates. These benefits translate into more affordable financing for member countries’ infrastructure, health, education, energy and regional integration projects.

S&P also explained that each notch of improvement in a credit rating brings substantial savings to governments that rely on BCIE loans to fund national development initiatives.

Six Key Factors Behind the Rating Upgrade

S&P Global Ratings identified six drivers behind its decision to improve BCIE’s rating:

1. Stronger capital levels and sustained support from member countries, which have consistently backed the bank.
2. Greater loan portfolio diversification, including innovative risk-sharing mechanisms such as the Exposure Exchange Agreements (EEA) signed in 2025 with CAF and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), totaling US$1.15 billion.
3. An upcoming third EEA with FONPLATA, expected to further expand regional diversification.
4. A decade-long record of impeccable Preferred Creditor Treatment (PCT).
5. Progress toward a general capital increase, aimed at strengthening the institution’s capital base and bringing in new highly rated shareholders.
6. A strong liquidity position and effective funding strategy, with growing participation in international markets and 99% of issuances meeting ESG (environmental, social and governance) standards.

Stable Outlook Supported by Liquidity and Member Commitment

S&P’s stable outlook reflects expectations that member countries will continue to provide support, deliver capital contributions on time and uphold BCIE’s preferred creditor status despite fluctuations in regional credit conditions.

BCIE noted that the agency’s outlook “confirms that the Bank will maintain prudent capital management and the high quality of its liquidity portfolio.”

The institution now shares a similar credit level to highly developed economies such as the United States, Austria, New Zealand and Taiwan, one of its member partners.

According to BCIE, this upgraded rating reaffirms the bank as a “reliable, solid and sustainable financial partner capable of mobilizing global resources under favorable conditions to support growth, integration and quality of life in Central America and the Caribbean.”