Standard & Poor's (S&P) confirms CABEI's international risk rating at "AA"; with a stable outlook

Tegucigalpa, September 29^th, 2023.- The rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P), confirmed the long-term international risk rating of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) at "AA"; with a stable outlook.

According to S&P, CABEI's rating reflects its financial strength, manifesting in the institutional risk profile its key role in Central America along with the expansion of its shareholders in recent years; it also highlights its support to member countries during the pandemic. It mentions the strong support of its shareholders and an impeccable track record of preferential accreditation. It underlines the expectations of continuity of the bank's strategy under the new president for the 2025-2029 period.

In its statement, S&P indicated that the stable rating outlook reflects expectations that, in the coming years, CABEI's shareholders will continue to support and make timely capital payments, the Bank will continue to benefit from its preferred creditor status despite credit pressures in the region, and will manage prudent capital levels while maintaining high-quality liquid assets. The rating agency notes that funding commitments will be offset by increased capitalization and diversification efforts.

Finally, Standard & Poor's notes that going forward, continuity in the institution's mandate is expected under a new president who will take office in December 2023, with a new five-year strategy focused on continuing to expand the membership base along with the continuity of key risk management policies.

Consolidating its position as the most important multilateral source of resources for the countries of the Central American Integration System, as of August 2023, approvals totaled US$2,530.7 million and total disbursements amounted to US$2,157.9 million, oriented mainly to the strategic axes of Human Development and Social Inclusion, Sustainable Competitiveness, and Regional Integration.