CABEI Consolidates Its Ratings in the "AA" Category: Fitch Publishes an "AA" Rating with a Positive Outlook

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras , Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fitch Ratings published the Central American Bank for Economic Integration's (CABEI) long-term credit rating of "AA" with a positive outlook and a short-term rating of "F1+." The new rating is two notches above the "A+" rating the agency last published on the Bank in 2019. As a result, all four rating agencies that evaluate CABEI now place it in the "AA" category: "AA+/stable" from S&P and JCR, "Aa2/positive" from Moody's, and now "AA/positive" from Fitch.

According to Fitch's official statement, the rating reflects the Bank's financial self-sustainability, with solvency that the agency considers "excellent," supported by strong internal capital generation and a strengthened liquidity position. According to the rating agency, these results stem from prudent balance sheet management and conservative financial policies, which have strengthened CABEI's ability to sustain its operations and support the growth of its member countries.

In the context of this financial strength, Fitch highlighted the substantial improvement in the diversification of CABEI's loan portfolio. In particular, the share of the five largest exposures fell from 75% to 61% since the end of 2024, driven by four Exposure Exchange Agreements (EEAs) with other multilateral development banks, totaling more than US$2.1 billion. It further noted the Bank's strong credit performance, reflected in a portfolio with virtually no arrears for more than a decade.

Beyond these financial fundamentals, Fitch also highlighted the strong commitment of CABEI's shareholders. The agency emphasized the approval of the Ninth General Capital Increase, which raises the authorized capital from US$7 billion to US$10 billion, as well as the amendments to the Constitutive Agreement that will allow Panama and the Dominican Republic to join as Series "A" Shareholders and facilitate the potential admission of new members. According to Fitch, these measures will support balance sheet growth, strengthen governance, and help reduce portfolio concentration.

CABEI's Executive President Gisela Sánchez stated: "The fact that Fitch has rated us 'AA', two notches above its last public rating on the Bank, reflects what CABEI has built over the past three years and adds to an unprecedented momentum of positive rating actions in multilateral banking. Adding this rating is part of our strategy to strengthen institutional transparency, expand our investor base, and continue to consolidate our position among the multilateral banks with the best credit profiles globally. Today, four independent assessments agree on CABEI's renewed financial and governance strength, enhancing our ability to mobilize more resources under increasingly favorable conditions for the sustainable development of our member countries."

Regarding the positive outlook, Fitch expects the Bank's profile to continue strengthening as it further reduces its concentration, increases its exposure to higher-rated borrowers, and makes progress in incorporating highly rated members. This expectation is consistent with the path that CABEI has already set forth through its Ninth General Capital Increase.

SOURCE BANCO CENTROAMERICANO DE INTEGRACION ECONOMICA