The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will work with some of the world's largest insurance companies to jumpstart financing for small businesses, affordable housing, and other underserved borrowers across Asia and the Pacific by unlocking up to $2.5 billion in lending.“ADB is getting more money to where it is needed most: small businesses, lower-income families; and communities that struggle to access finance,” said ADB President Masato Kanda. “By sharing risk with leading insurers, we can lend more through financial institutions, support more jobs and homes, and make our capital work harder for development.”The five-year agreement expands a credit insurance program launched in 2022. The Master Framework Program for Financial Institutions will increase ADB’s capacity to provide longer-term financing through banks and other financial institutions for small businesses, microfinance, affordable housing; and other borrowers that struggle to obtain credit.ADB uses credit insurance to stretch its resources and direct more financing into markets where capital remains scarce. By sharing risk with private insurers, ADB can support more lending without requiring additional capital.Under the agreement, participating insurers will cover part of the loss if a financial institution fails to repay an ADB loan. The insurers will not make the loans themselves. Their coverage allows ADB to transfer some of the risk from its balance sheet, free capital for new loans; and manage its exposure across markets and borrowers.ADB will use the additional lending capacity to provide more financing to commercial banks and other financial institutions. These institutions can then extend more credit to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, including businesses owned by women, as well as lower-income households seeking housing and other essential financing.The participating insurers are AXA XL, Chubb, Everest, HDI Global, Liberty, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, SCOR Business Solutions, Sompo Japan Insurance, The Hartford, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. Ltd., and Tokio Marine HCC. Joining the program for the first time are Sompo Japan Insurance, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, HDI Global, and SCOR Business Solutions. The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Tokyo on 31 July 2026, attended by President Kanda together with representatives of Tokio Marine, Sompo Japan Insurance, and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance.Leaders of participating insurers welcomed the agreement."Tokio Marine Group is pleased to deepen its longstanding partnership with ADB through this expanded program," said Masahiro Koike, President and Group CEO of Tokio Marine Group. "The agreement demonstrates how multilateral development banks and the insurance industry can work together to manage risk responsibly and support sustainable and inclusive growth. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with ADB and the other participating insurers.""SOMPO Group is delighted to be expanding its partnership with ADB and supporting its mission to assist developing countries in the region," said Mikio Okumura, Group CEO of the SOMPO Group. "As SOMPO's reason for existence is to continuously deliver services beneficial to 'health, wellbeing and financial protection,' we are truly honored to be part of this endeavor.""As a leading insurance group in Asia, we are honored to partner with ADB on this important initiative," said Shinichiro Funabiki, Representative Director and President and CEO of MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings. "By bringing our underwriting expertise, risk capacity and collaboration across MSIG, we are pleased to contribute to sustainable economic development and a more resilient future across Asia and the Pacific."ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.NoYesInfrastructure03 Aug, 2026