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EBRD says Ukraine exposure 'absolutely not' a danger to credit ranking

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's direct exposure to warravaged Ukraine does not posture a hazard to its treasured tripleA credit rating regardless of previous warnings from the similarity Fitch, its vice president informed on Friday.

WHAT DID EBRD SAY?

Matteo Patrone, the EBRD's Vice President for Banking said the bank was never concerned that Ukraine exposure might threaten the bank's score.

He said that in 2015's increase of the bank's capital was exactly to allow us to increase our exposure in Ukraine and continue supporting the real economy to the tune of 1.5 billion euros annually.

The EBRD prepares to scale that up to 2.5 billion and 3 billion euros each year going forward as well.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Scores firm Fitch cautioned last year that if Ukraine wasn't. able to pay back its worldwide development loans, it would. likely expense top multilateral lending institutions consisting of the EBRD and the. World Bank's International European Bank for Restoration and. Advancement their triple-A credit rating.

WHY IT MATTERS?

The loss of the leading score would make it more pricey for. the EBRD itself to borrow cash, weakening its entire company. model.

The EBRD is one of the top lenders to Ukraine's personal. sector, and its ongoing support to the nation is key to. helping it hold up against, and recover from, Russian attacks.

THE NUMBERS

Multilateral financing to Ukraine has actually leapt given that Russia's. 2022 invasion, going beyond a combined 25 billion euros at the end. of 2022. Fitch's caution in 2015 put the EBRD's net direct exposure. to Ukraine at a large 12.8% ratio of its investor equity.

In December, nevertheless, the EBRD's board approved a 4 billion. euro capital boost, bringing its capital base approximately to 34. billion euros.

(source: Reuters)