The World Bank has raised AUD 1.5 billion through a dual tap of its Sustainable Development Bonds, increasing the size of its August 2028 and February 2035 lines by AUD 800 million and AUD 700 million, respectively. The total order book for these transactions exceeded AUD 3 billion, with significant interest from bank treasuries and central banks in Asia and Australia.
Following this issuance, the outstanding amounts for the August 2028 bond stand at AUD 1.7 billion, while the February 2035 bond totals AUD 1.3 billion. The three-year tap of the August 2028s was priced at ASW +35 basis points (equivalent to ACGB May 2028 +31.5 bps), while the ten-year tap of the February 2035s was priced at ASW +65 basis points (equivalent to ACGB December 2034 +40 bps).
Andrea Dore, Global Head of Funding at the World Bank, said: “We are focused on providing high‑quality investment opportunities for investors and are thrilled to be able to tap these two lines to meet demand of Australian dollar investors at both the short and long ends. The continued confidence from investors enables us to efficiently deliver on our mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.”
Lead managers for this transaction were Daiwa Capital Markets, RBC Capital Markets, TD Securities, and UBS AG Australia Branch.
Manshun Chan, Head of AUD Syndicate at Daiwa Capital Markets, stated: “Daiwa is honored to be part of this well‑received AUD tap, which once again highlights IBRD’s excellent reputation in the Australian dollar market. Investor demand across Asia and Australia has been especially strong, reflecting confidence in the World Bank’s credit and its leadership in sustainable development financing. The size and quality of demand affirm IBRD’s enduring appeal in the Kangaroo curve.”
Harald Eikeland, Head of APAC Syndicate at RBC Capital Markets, commented: “RBC is proud to have supported IBRD on its highly successful AUD 1.5 billion dual-tranche Kangaroo bond transaction. This represented IBRD’s third syndicated transaction in Australian dollars in 2025, and was again met with exceptional demand with final orderbooks in excess of AUD 3billion from more than 35 accounts, highlighting IBRD’s status as the premier issuer in the Australian dollar SSA market. We are honored to have played a role in delivering this outstanding result and congratulate the World Bank on another milestone transaction.”
Apoorva Tandon, Head of Asia Origination & Syndicate at TD Securities said: “Congratulations to the World Bank on the latest Australian dollar offering. The orderbook composition across this dual tranche 3- and 10-year re-opening is a testament to the strong investor following for IBRD in the Kangaroo bond market. TD Securities is honored to have partnered with the World Bank team on this transaction."
Cameron Lofstedt, Co-head of SSA DCM at UBS added: “Congratulations to the World Bank on executing the largest-ever Kangaroo SSA tap transaction at AUD 1.5 billion across two tranches for IBRD. The final combined orderbook of over AUD 3 billion, as well as the balance of distribution across both geography and investor type talk to the significant investor support for World Bank’s mission in the Australian dollar market. UBS is delighted to have been involved.”
The World Bank issues bonds aligned with Sustainability Bond Guidelines published by International Capital Market Association (ICMA). These funds are used by middle-income countries or other creditworthy borrowers globally for projects that aim to reduce poverty or promote shared prosperity.
Further information about these bonds can be found on www.worldbank.org/debtsecurities as well as within their Sustainable Development Bond Impact Report.
Payments made on these bonds are not tied directly to any specific project or program; proceeds are not earmarked for particular uses but support general funding needs.