Multilateral Development Banks: Overview and Issues for Congress

Rebecca M. Nelson | Congressional Research Service | 2010-04-09

"The multilateral development banks (MDBs) include the World Bank and four smaller regional development banks: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian Development Bank (AsDB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB). The United States is a member of each of the MDBs. The
MDBs provide financial assistance to developing countries to promote economic and social development.

Debate over the effectiveness of MDB financial assistance is contentious. Critics argue that the MDBs focus on "getting money out the door" (rather than delivering results in developing countries), are not transparent, and lack a clear division of labor."