Our criteria for determining which DFIs feature in the index is based on the primary mandates of the institutions, their size, the geographic scope of their work, and their suitability for assessment according to current reporting practices. We have developed separate selection criteria for multilateral and bilateral DFIs due to their vastly different sizes and varying mandates. Our selection has been guided by data from the Finance in Common PDB Database.[1] The criteria are as follows:

Multilateral DFIs (Sovereign and Non-Sovereign)

1. Institutions must have a primary focus on investing in activities with a development objective. Trade finance institutions, including export import banks, are excluded from the assessment.
2. Institutions must have a total asset size over US $15 billion. For DFIs that operate separate institutions under a group, then total group assets may be considered.
3. Institutions must work internationally.
4. Institutions must demonstrate a fundamental commitment to transparency through the maintenance of a database or list of active investments.

Bilateral DFIs

1. Institutions must have a primary focus on investing in private sector activities with a development objective. Trade finance institutions, including export import banks, are excluded from the assessment.
2. Institutions must have a total asset size over US$500 million.
3. Institutions must work internationally.
4. Institutions must demonstrate a fundamental commitment to transparency through the maintenance of a database or list of active investments.

[1] Xu, Jiajun, Régis Marodon, Xinshun Ru, Xiaomeng Ren, and Xinyue Wu. 2021. “What are Public Development Banks and Development Financing Institutions? Qualification Criteria, Stylized Facts and Development Trends.” China Economic Quarterly International, volume 1, issue 4: 271-294.