INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
BW-3, 1996-05-28
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>

                                  [LETTERHEAD]

                                                                 FILE NO. 1-3431
                                                                 REGULATION BW
                                                                 RULE 3

                                                                 May 24, 1996


VIA EDGAR

Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

  Attached please find a report dated May 24, 1996 of the International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development under Rule 3 of Regulation BW with respect to
the Bank's 6-3/8% U.S. Dollar Global Bonds of 1996, due May 24, 2001.

                                Sincerely yours,

                         /S/ Daoud Khairallah
                              Daoud Khairallah
                         Deputy General Counsel
                    Administration, Finance and Institutional Affairs

Enclosures

<PAGE>

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              450 Fifth Street N.W.
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    REPORT OF
              INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

                                In respect of its
            6-3/8% U.S. Dollar Global Bonds of 1996, due May 24, 2001

                    Filed pursuant to Rule 3 of Regulation BW

                               Dated: May 24, 1996



<PAGE>


     The following information regarding the 6-3/8% U.S. Dollar Global Bonds of
1996, due May 24, 2001 (herein referred to as the Bonds) of International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development is being filed pursuant to Rule 3 of
Regulation BW.  As authorized by Rule 4 of Regulation BW, certain information is
to be provided in the form of a Prospectus (the Prospectus) (attached as Exhibit
D) and in the form of an Information Statement (the Information Statement).
Certain information specified in Schedule A to Regulation BW is not available at
the date of this Report.

ITEM 1.   DESCRIPTION OF OBLIGATIONS

     (a)  6-3/8% U.S. Dollar Global Bonds of 1996, due May 24, 2001.

     (b)  6-3/8%.  Interest payment dates November 24 and May 24.

     (c)  Maturing May 24, 2001.  The maturity of the Bonds may be accelerated
          if the Bank shall default in the payment of the principal of, or
          interest on, or in the performance of any covenant in respect of a
          purchase fund or a sinking fund for any bonds (including the Bonds),
          notes or similar obligations which have been issued, assumed or
          guaranteed by the Bank, such default shall continue for a period of 90
          days, a holder notifies the Bank that it elects to declare the
          principal of Bonds held by it to be due and payable, and all such
          defaults have not been cured by 30 days after such notice has been
          delivered.

     (d)  Not applicable.

     (e)  Bank's standard negative pledge clause (See clause 8 on page 6 of the
               Prospectus).

     (f)  Not applicable.

     (g)  No provisions have been made for the amendment or modification of the
          terms of the obligations by the holders thereof or otherwise.

     (h)  See pages 9 and 10 of the Prospectus.

     (i)  Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 33 Liberty Street, New York, New
               York.

ITEM 2.   DISTRIBUTION OF OBLIGATIONS

     As of May 21, 1996, the Bank entered into an Underwriting Agreement with CS
First Boston Limited and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as Representatives of the several
underwriters (the Underwriters).  The Underwriters have agreed severally to
purchase, and the Bank has agreed to sell to them severally, the principal
amount of Bonds set forth opposite their names in Exhibit A attached hereto and
aggregating $1,000,000,000, at 99.492% plus accrued interest, if any, from May
24, 1996.  The Bonds are offered for sale subject to issuance and acceptance by
the Underwriters and subject to prior sale.  It is expected that delivery of the
Bonds will be made on or about May 24, 1996.

     The names of the Underwriters and the principal amount of Bonds each
Underwriter has agreed to purchase are set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

<PAGE>

                                        2

     The Underwriting Agreement (Exhibit B) provides that the obligations of the
several Underwriters are subject to certain conditions, including approval of
certain legal matters by counsel and receipt by them of a certificate of a
principal officer of the Bank to the effect that prior to the closing date there
has been no material adverse change in the condition of the Bank from that set
forth in the Prospectus and the Information Statement issued in respect of the
Bonds.

     As of May 21, 1996, the Underwriters entered into an Agreement Among
Underwriters (the Agreement Among Underwriters) (Exhibit C) among themselves for
the purchase and distribution of the Bonds.

     The only arrangements known to the Bank, and the Bank is informed by the
Underwriters that the only arrangements known to them, relative to the
stabilization of the market, are as set forth in the Agreement Among
Underwriters, the form of which is attached as Exhibit C hereto.

     The Underwriters propose to offer all the Bonds to the public at the public
offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus.  CS First Boston
Limited and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as Representatives of the Underwriters, may
offer Bonds to certain dealers who are not members of the underwriting group or
through selected dealers at a price which represents a concession not in excess
of 0.225% of the principal amount under the public offering price.



ITEM 3.   DISTRIBUTION SPREAD

                        SELLING DISCOUNTS
  PRICE TO PUBLIC       AND COMMISSIONS(1)     PROCEEDS TO THE BANK(2)

  Per Unit 99.742%            0.250%                   99.492%

Total $997,420,000          $2,500,000              $994,920,000

ITEM 4.   DISCOUNTS AND COMMISSIONS TO SUB-UNDERWRITERS AND DEALERS

     See Item 2.

ITEM 5.   OTHER EXPENSES OF DISTRIBUTION

     The Bank's estimated expenses of distribution are as follows:

     Listing fees                                           $  20,000.00
     Rating Agencies                                           18,000.00
     Fiscal Agent's and Special Agent's fees
       (Present value of estimated expenses over
        life of the Bonds)                                    172,703.00
     Accounting fees                                            6,520.00
     CUSIP No.                                                     92.00
                                                            ------------
               Total                                        $ 217,315.00
                                                            ------------
                                                            ------------

- ------------------
(1) See Item 2 for information about concessions
(2) Without deducting expenses of the Bank which are not yet known

<PAGE>

                                        3

ITEM 6.   APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS

          The net proceeds will be used in the general operations of the Bank.

ITEM 7.   EXHIBITS

     A.   Names of Underwriters and Underwriting Commitments

     B.   Underwriting Agreement (May 21, 1996)

     C.   Agreement among Underwriters (May 21, 1996)

     D.   Prospectus dated May 21, 1996

     E.   Copy of Opinion of Deputy General Counsel, Administration, Finance and
          Institutional Affairs of the Bank, dated May 24, 1996, as to the
          legality of the Bonds delivered to the Underwriters.

     F.   Copy of Supplement No. 65, dated as of May 24, 1996, to the Fiscal
          Agency Agreement dated as of November 30, 1983 between the
          International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Federal
          Reserve Bank of New York.



<PAGE>


                                 EXHIBIT A

            NAMES OF UNDERWRITERS AND UNDERWRITING COMMITMENTS

     The Underwriters listed below have severally agreed to purchase, and the
Bank has agreed to sell them severally, the principal amount of Bonds set forth
below opposite their names.

             Name                           Principal Amount
             ----                           ----------------

CS First Boston Limited                    $  285,500,000.00
Goldman, Sachs & Co.                          285,500,000.00
Banque Paribas                                 33,000,000.00
Daiwa Europe Limited                           33,000,000.00
Deutsche Bank AG London                        33,000,000.00
IBJ International plc                          33,000,000.00
Lehman Brothers International (Europe)         33,000,000.00
Merrill Lynch International                    33,000,000.00
J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd.                    33,000,000.00
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited     33,000,000.00
Nomura International plc                       33,000,000.00
Salomon Brothers Inc                           33,000,000.00
Swiss Bank Corporation                         33,000,000.00
Tokyo-Mitsubishi International plc             33,000,000.00
UBS Limited                                    33,000,000.00
                                               -------------
     Total                                 $1,000,000,000.00
                                           -----------------
                                           -----------------

<PAGE>

                               U.S.$1,000,000,000

              INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
            6 3/8% U.S. Dollar Global Bonds of 1996, due May 24, 2001



                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


                                                                    May 21, 1996



CS First Boston Limited,
  One Cabot Square,
    London E14 4QJ.

Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
  85 Broad Street,
    New York, New York 10004.

As Representatives of the several Underwriters

Dear Sirs:

          International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (hereinafter
called the "Bank") proposes to issue U.S.$1,000,000,000 aggregate principal 
amount of 6 3/8% U.S. Dollar Global Bonds of 1996, due May 24, 2001 
(hereinafter called the "Securities").  The Securities are to be issued 
pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Executive Directors of the Bank 
authorizing the Securities.  The Bank will furnish to the several 
Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the "Underwriters") copies of an 
Information Statement of the Bank dated as of March 18, 1996 and a prospectus 
dated the date hereof.  Such prospectus (including the Information Statement 
and any other documents incorporated therein by reference) is hereinafter 
referred to as the Prospectus.


                                       I.

          The Bank agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and the
Underwriters, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein
contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agree to purchase
from the Bank, severally and not jointly, the respective principal amounts of
Securities set forth opposite their names in Schedule I hereto at 99.492% of
their principal amount, plus accrued interest from May 24, 1996 to the Closing
Date (as defined herein).

<PAGE>

          If a default occurs with respect to one or more of the several
underwriting commitments to purchase any Securities under this Agreement,
Underwriters who have not defaulted with respect to their respective several
underwriting commitments will take up and pay for, as nearly as practicable in
proportion to their respective several underwriting commitments, the Securities
as to which such default occurred, up to but not exceeding in the aggregate 20%
of the principal amount of the Securities for which the non-defaulting
Underwriters were originally committed; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, if the aggregate
principal amount of Securities as to which such default occurred exceeds 16.667%
of the principal amount of the Securities, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall
be entitled to terminate this Agreement without any liability on the part of any
non-defaulting Underwriters.  Nothing herein will relieve a defaulting
Underwriter from liability for its default.


                                       II.

          The Underwriters will offer their respective portions of Securities
upon the terms set forth in the Prospectus.

          Each Underwriter agrees that it will not offer, sell or deliver any of
the Securities, directly or indirectly, or distribute the Prospectus or any
other offering material relating to the Securities, in any jurisdiction except
under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable laws
thereof.


                                      III.

          Payment for the Securities shall be made at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on
May 24, 1996, or such other date not later than May 31, 1996 as may be agreed
upon by you and the Bank, upon delivery of Securities in bookentry form by
credit to one or more securities accounts maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York, 33 Liberty Street, New York, N.Y., for the respective accounts of
the several Underwriters, such delivery to be in accordance with your
instructions, and such payment, unless otherwise agreed, to be effected by
delivery to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York of irrevocable instructions
issued by a New York City bank or banks specifying that the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York should immediately charge the account or accounts of such bank or
banks with the amount payable by the Underwriters to the Bank hereunder and
immediately credit such amount to the account of the Bank.  The date and time of
such payment and delivery is herein referred to as the Closing Date.


                                       IV.

          The several obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to
the following conditions:

          (a)  Prior to the Closing Date, there shall have been no material
     adverse change in the condition of the Bank from that set forth in the
     Prospectus, and you

                                       -2-

<PAGE>

     shall have received, on the Closing Date, a certificate, dated the Closing
     Date, signed by the President, any Managing Director, the Vice President
     and Treasurer or the Vice President and General Counsel, of the Bank to the
     foregoing effect.

          (b)  Subsequent to the date hereof, and prior to the Closing Date, no
     downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded any of the Bank's
     outstanding debt securities by either Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or
     Standard & Poor's Corporation.

          (c)  You shall have received, on the Closing Date, an opinion, dated
     the Closing Date, of the Vice President and General Counsel, the Deputy
     General Counsel or the Assistant General Counsel, Finance, of the Bank, to
     the effect that (i) the Bank is duly established and existing under its
     Articles of Agreement, (ii) this Agreement has been duly authorized,
     executed and delivered by the Bank, (iii) the Bank has obtained all
     governmental approvals required pursuant to its Articles of Agreement in
     connection with the offering, issue and sale of the Securities, (iv) the
     Bank has received from the Minister of Finance of Japan a notice pursuant
     to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law of Japan (Law No. 228
     of 1949, as amended) authorizing the offering, issue and sale of its debt
     securities in Japan, and no other Japanese governmental approvals are
     required in connection with the offering, issue and sale of the Securities,
     (v) the creation, issue, sale and delivery of the Securities, and the
     execution of the Securities in definitive registered form, have been duly
     authorized, the Securities have been duly issued and delivered in bookentry
     form, and the Securities in bookentry form constitute, and when executed,
     authenticated, issued and delivered the Securities in definitive registered
     form will constitute, valid and legally binding obligations of the Bank in
     accordance with their terms and (vi) under existing law it is not necessary
     in connection with the public offering and sale of the Securities (A) to
     register the Securities under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
     or to qualify an indenture with respect thereto under the U.S. Trust
     Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or (B) to register the Securities under
     the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended).

          (d)  You shall have received, on the Closing Date, an opinion, dated
     the Closing Date, of Sullivan & Cromwell covering the matters in (ii), (v)
     and (vi)(A) of (c) above.  In rendering such opinion, Sullivan & Cromwell
     may rely with respect to the due establishment and existence of the Bank
     upon the opinion of counsel of the Bank.

          (e)  You shall have received, on the Closing Date, a letter, dated the
     Closing Date, of the Vice President and General Counsel, the Deputy General
     Counsel or the Assistant General Counsel, Finance, of the Bank, and a
     letter, dated the Closing Date, of Sullivan & Cromwell, to the effect that,
     while they assume no responsibility with respect to the statements in the
     Prospectus, such respective counsel do not believe that the Prospectus, as
     of its date, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted
     to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
     therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
     misleading.  Such letters will not relate to the financial statements or
     other financial data contained

                                       -3-

<PAGE>

     in the Prospectus.  In giving such letter, Sullivan & Cromwell may rely
     with respect to the due establishment and existence of the Bank upon the
     opinion of counsel of the Bank.

          (f)  You shall have received, on the Closing Date, a letter, dated the
     Closing Date, of Price Waterhouse (International Firm), confirming that
     they are independent accountants with respect to the Bank within the
     meaning of Rule 101 of the Code of Professional Conduct of the American
     Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its rulings and
     interpretations, and stating in effect that on the basis of a reading of
     the latest available financial statements of the Bank, inquiries of
     officials of the Bank responsible for financial and accounting matters and
     other specified procedures through a specified date not more than five
     business days prior to the Closing Date, nothing came to their attention
     that caused them to believe that there were any increases in the borrowings
     of the Bank or any decreases in capital stock and reserves of the Bank, in
     each case as compared with amounts included in the audited financial
     statements included in the Prospectus, except in all instances for changes
     or decreases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or
     which are stated in such letter.  The letter shall also state that they
     have read the dollar amounts, percentages and average lives set forth or
     incorporated by reference in the Prospectus under the captions "Summary
     Information", "Selected Financial Data", "Equity", "Borrowings",
     "Statements of Income", "Operations of the Bank", "Derivatives", "Principal
     Information Concerning the Bank", "Summary of Balance Sheets at March 31,
     1996 (Unaudited) and June 30, 1995" and "Summary Statements of Income for
     the Nine Months Ended March 31, 1996 and 1995 (Unaudited) and for the
     Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1995" and have found such dollar amounts,
     percentages and average lives to be in agreement with the Bank's financial
     statements or accounting records and with computations made by the Bank
     therefrom.


                                       V.

          In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriters herein
contained, the Bank covenants as follows:

          (a)  The Bank will furnish each Underwriter without charge as many
     copies of the Prospectus as you may reasonably request.

          (b)  Before amending or supplementing the Prospectus, the Bank will
     furnish you a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement.

          (c)  So long as in your judgment the distribution of the Securities by
     the Underwriters has not been completed (but in no event for more than one
     year after the date of the initial public offering of the Securities), if
     any event shall occur as a result of which, in the judgment of the Bank, it
     is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the
     statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus
     is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, the Bank will forthwith
     prepare and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to any
     dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Bank) to whom
     Securities

                                       -4-

<PAGE>

     may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other
     dealers upon request, either amendments to the Prospectus or supplemental
     information so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or
     supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the
     Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading.

          (d)  The Bank will endeavor to qualify the Securities for offer and
     sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you
     shall reasonably request and to pay any fees charged by investment rating
     services for the rating of the Securities.

          (e)  The Bank will pay for the costs and expenses of its own counsel
     and other professional advisers incurred in connection with the issue of
     the Securities, fees and expenses of the fiscal agent and other paying
     agents, the listing of the Securities on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and
     the New York Stock Exchange, the obtaining of CUSIP numbers, and all other
     costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations
     hereunder.  The Underwriters shall be liable for the costs of their own
     counsel, the printing of the Prospectus and definitive Securities, and all
     other costs and expenses incidental to the performance of their obligations
     hereunder.


                                       VI.

          The Bank represents and warrants to each Underwriter that the
Prospectus at the date thereof will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, except that this representation and warranty does not
apply to statements or omissions in the Prospectus based upon information
furnished in writing to the Bank by any Underwriter expressly for use therein.

          The Bank agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and
each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, from and against any
and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, joint or several, to which such
Underwriter or such controlling person may become subject, under the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or
are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the Prospectus (if used within the period set forth in
paragraph (c) of Article V hereof and as amended or supplemented if the Bank
shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), any amendment or
supplement thereto or any preliminary prospectus or any other selling or
advertising material approved by the Bank for use by the Underwriters in
connection with the sale of the Securities, or arising out of or based upon any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities arise out of or are based upon any such untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission based upon information
furnished in writing to the Bank by any Underwriter expressly for use therein;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Bank shall not be liable to any Underwriter under
the indemnity agreement

                                       -5-

<PAGE>

in this paragraph with respect to any preliminary prospectus or any other such
selling or advertising material to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage
or liability of such Underwriter results from the fact that such Underwriter
sold Securities to a person to whom there was not sent or given, at or prior to
the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of the Prospectus correcting such
untrue statement or omission if the Bank has previously furnished copies thereof
to such Underwriter.  This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any
liability which the Bank may otherwise have.

          In case any action shall be brought against any Underwriter or any
such controlling person based upon the Prospectus (or any amendment or
supplement thereto) and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the
Bank, such Underwriter shall promptly notify the Bank in writing, and the Bank
upon request of such Underwriter shall assume the defense thereof, including the
employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Underwriter and the
payment of all expenses.  Any Underwriter or any such controlling person shall
have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and to participate
in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at
the expense of such Underwriter or such controlling person unless (i) the
employment of such counsel has been specifically authorized in writing by the
Bank or (ii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded
parties) include both such Underwriter or such controlling person and the Bank
and such Underwriter or such controlling person shall have been advised by
counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are
different from or additional to those available to the Bank or that there may be
another conflict of interest arising out of the counsel referred to in the
preceding sentence acting for the Bank and such Underwriter (it being
understood, however, that the Bank shall not in connection with any one such
action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be
liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of
attorneys for all such Underwriters and controlling persons, which firm shall be
designated in writing by you, and that all such fees and expenses shall be
reimbursed from time to time as incurred).  The Bank shall not be liable for any
settlement of any such action effected without its consent, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with the consent of the Bank or if
there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the Bank agrees
to indemnify and hold harmless any Underwriter from and against any loss or
liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.

          Each Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Bank, to
the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Bank to each Underwriter,
but only with reference to any information relating to such Underwriter
furnished in writing to the Bank by such Underwriter expressly for use in the
Prospectus.  In case any action shall be brought against the Bank based upon the
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) and in respect of which
indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, the Underwriter shall have the
rights and duties given to the Bank, and the Bank shall have the rights and
duties given to the Underwriter, by the immediately preceding paragraph of this
Article VI.  This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which
any Underwriter may otherwise have.

          If the indemnification provided for in this Article VI is unavailable
to an indemnified party under the second or fourth paragraphs hereof in respect
of any losses,

                                       -6-

<PAGE>

claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying
party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative benefits received by the Bank on the one hand and the Underwriters
on the other from the offering of the Securities.  The relative benefits
received by the Bank on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be
deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering
(before deducting expenses) of the Securities received by the Bank bear to the
total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters in
respect of the Securities.  The Bank and the Underwriters agree that it would
not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this paragraph were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one
entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this
paragraph.  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of
the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to
include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this
paragraph, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess
of the underwriting discount applicable to the Securities purchased by such
Underwriter hereunder.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation shall
be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Underwriters' obligations to contribute
pursuant to this paragraph are several in proportion to their respective
underwriting proportions and not joint.

          The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Article VI
and the representations and warranties of the Bank set forth in this Agreement
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any
termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of
any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter or by or on behalf of
the Bank and (iii) acceptance of and payment for the Securities hereunder.


                                      VII.

          The Underwriters or the Bank shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement, by giving the notice indicated below, at any time at or prior to the
Closing Date if there shall have occurred any national or international calamity
or development, crisis of a political or economic nature, or change in the money
or capital markets in any country in which the Securities are being offered, the
effect of which on the financial markets of any such country shall be such as in
the judgment of the Representatives or the Bank materially adversely affects the
ability of the Underwriters to sell the Securities.  Notice of any such
termination shall be in writing and, if to the Underwriters, shall be mailed,
delivered or telecopied and confirmed in writing to the Representatives at their
addresses as set forth above, or, if to the Bank, shall be mailed, delivered or
telecopied and confirmed in writing to it at 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20433, Attention:  Vice President and Treasurer.


                                       -7-

<PAGE>

          If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters or any of
them because of any failure on the part of the Bank to comply with the terms or
to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the
Bank shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Bank
will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as have so terminated this
Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all of their out-of-pocket
expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel) reasonably
incurred by them in connection with the Securities.  If this Agreement shall be
terminated as provided in this Article VII, neither the Underwriters nor the
Bank shall be under further obligation hereunder except as set forth in
Article VI and paragraph (e) of Article V hereof.

          This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties
hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute one and
the same instrument.

          This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York.

                         Very truly yours,

                         INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR
                            RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT



                         By:
                             --------------------------------------
                              (Authorized Signatory)



The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed
   and accepted as of the date first above written.



CS FIRST BOSTON LIMITED
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.



By:
    ------------------------------------
       (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)


As Representatives of the several Underwriters

                                       -8-

<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE I



                                                                   Underwriting
                                                                    Commitment
                                                                    (Principal
       Underwriter                                                    Amount)
       -----------                                                --------------
CS First Boston Limited  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285,500,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285,500,000
Banque Paribas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000
Daiwa Europe Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000
Deutsche Bank AG London  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000
IBJ International plc  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000
Lehman Brothers International (Europe) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000
Merrill Lynch International  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000
J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000
Nomura International plc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000
Salomon Brothers Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000
Swiss Bank Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000
Tokyo-Mitsubishi International plc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000
UBS Limited  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33,000,000


    Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000,000,000
                                                                  --------------
                                                                  --------------


                                       -9-
<PAGE>


                               U.S.$1,000,000,000

              INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
            6 3/8% U.S. Dollar Global Bonds of 1996, due May 24, 2001


                          AGREEMENT AMONG UNDERWRITERS


May 21, 1996



CS First Boston Limited,
  One Cabot Square,
    London E14 4QJ.

Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
  85 Broad Street,
    New York, New York 10004.


Dear Sirs:

                                       I.

          We hereby agree with you with respect to the offering of an aggregate
of U.S.$1,000,000,000 principal amount of 6 3/8% U.S. Dollar Global Bonds of 
1996, due May 24, 2001 (hereinafter called the "Securities") of International 
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (hereinafter called the "Bank") and 
with respect to the purchase by you and the other Underwriters hereinafter 
referred to (including ourselves), severally, of the Securities.

          We authorize you on our behalf to execute and deliver the Underwriting
Agreement in substantially the accompanying form and to agree to any variation
of its terms (except as to the purchase price (unless the initial offering price
of the Securities is to be determined by formula pricing)).  If the initial
offering price of the Securities is to be determined by formula pricing, we also
authorize you to determine the initial offering price of the Securities and the
underwriting discount.  It is understood that changes may be made in those who
are to be Underwriters and in the respective amounts of the Securities to be
purchased by them, but that the amount of the Securities to be purchased by us
as set forth in Article I of the form of Underwriting Agreement will not be
changed without our consent except as provided in the Underwriting Agreement.
The ratio which the aggregate principal amount of the Securities set forth
opposite each Underwriter's name in the Underwriting Agreement plus any increase
in the amount of Securities to be purchased by such Underwriter pursuant to the
provisions of the Underwriting Agreement regarding any defaults of Underwriters
(its "purchase obligation") bears to U.S.$1,000,000,000 is hereinafter referred
to as the underwriting proportion of such Underwriter.

<PAGE>


                                       II.

          We authorize you to act as the Representatives of the Underwriters in
the offering of the Securities and to take such action as you deem advisable in
connection with the performance of the Underwriting Agreement and this Agreement
and the purchase, carrying, sale and distribution of the Securities.  You may
waive performance or satisfaction by the Bank of obligations or conditions
included in the Underwriting Agreement if in your judgment such waiver will not
have a material adverse effect upon the interests of the Underwriters.

          The initial public offering of the Securities is to be made at the
public offering price plus accrued interest, if any, and on the other terms and
conditions set forth in the Prospectus relating to the Securities.  We authorize
you to furnish the Bank with information to be included in the Prospectus with
respect to the terms of offering.  Public advertisement of the offering, if any,
shall be made by you on behalf of the Underwriters on such date as you shall
determine.  It is understood that we have not advertised the offering and will
not do so until after such date.  Any advertisement we may then make will be our
own responsibility and at our own expense.

          We authorize you to sell for our account to dealers, other than any of
the undersigned unless the Bank and you agree that sales to the undersigned will
be permitted, at the public offering price less the concession to dealers, such
Securities as you shall determine.  Such concession may be allowed only as
consideration for services rendered in distribution to dealers who are actually
engaged in the investment banking or securities business and who are advised
that the Securities should be treated as if they were subject to Sections 8, 24
and 36 of Article III of the National Association of Securities Dealers' Rules
of Fair Practice.  Sales of Securities to dealers shall be made for the account
of each Underwriter approximately in the proportion that the Securities of such
Underwriter retained by you for sales to dealers bear to the total Securities so
retained.  As used in this paragraph, "dealers" shall include Underwriters,
banks and trust companies acting as dealers.

          We hereby confirm that, except as may be stated in this Agreement or
the Prospectus, we do not know of any arrangements (a) for withholding
commissions, or otherwise to hold each Underwriter or dealer responsible for the
distribution of its participation in the Securities, (b) for any discounts or
commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers or others, (c) to limit or restrict
the sale of the Securities or other securities of the Bank or (d) to stabilize
the market for the Securities or other securities of the Bank for the account of
the Bank or the Underwriters, or of any transactions already effected to
accomplish that purpose.

          You will advise us promptly, on the date of the public offering, as to
the Securities which we shall retain for direct sale, which, for each of the
undersigned Underwriters, shall be a minimum of ninety percent of such
Underwriter's purchase obligation, and after such advice is received by us we
will offer such Securities to the public in conformity with the terms of
offering set forth in the Prospectus.  At any time prior to the termination of
this Agreement any Securities which are held by you for sale for our account as
set forth above but not sold may, on our request and at your discretion, be
released to us for direct sale, and Securities so released to us shall no longer
be deemed held for sale by you.

                                       -2-

<PAGE>

          From time to time prior to the termination of this Agreement, on your
request, we will advise you of the amounts of Securities remaining unsold which
were retained by or released to us for direct sale, and, on your request, we
will release to you any such Securities for sale by you for our account to
dealers.

          If for United States Federal income tax purposes the Underwriters
should be deemed to constitute a partnership, then we elect to be excluded from
the application of Subchapter K, Chapter 1, Subtitle A, of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, and agree not to take any position inconsistent with
such election, and you are authorized in your discretion to execute on our
behalf such evidence of such election as may be required by the Internal Revenue
Service.


                                   III.

          We acknowledge that Goldman, Sachs & Co. (the "Stabilizing
Underwriter") is appointed stabilizing underwriter for the Securities.  However,
this clause does not authorize the Stabilizing Underwriter to carry out
stabilization and/or over-allotment transactions on behalf of the Underwriters.
Any such transaction shall be for accounts of the Representatives and shall be
effected in accordance with applicable laws.  No stabilization activity will be
effected by the Stabilizing Underwriter without prior consultation with, and the
prior agreement of CS First Boston Limited.

          If pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph and prior to
the termination of this Agreement (or prior to such earlier date as you may have
determined) you purchase or contract to purchase in the open market or otherwise
any Securities which were retained by or released to us for direct sale, or any
Securities which may have been issued on transfer or in exchange for such
Securities, and which Securities were therefore not effectively placed for
investment by us, we authorize you either to charge our account with an amount
equal to the concession to dealers with respect thereto, which amount shall be
credited against the cost of such Securities, or to require us to repurchase
such Securities at a price equal to the total cost of such purchase, including
accrued interest and commission, if any.  Securities may be delivered on such
repurchase in bookentry or certificated form, and, if purchased and delivered in
certificated form, need not be the identical certificates so purchased.

          We agree that, until the termination of this Agreement, or such
earlier date as you may determine, we will not purchase or sell any Securities
or any other securities of the Bank which you may designate, except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement or in the Underwriting Agreement.  This will not
prohibit us from (i) selling outstanding securities of the Bank owned by us at
the time of the execution of this Agreement, (ii) purchasing or selling
Securities or any other securities of the Bank as a broker pursuant to
unsolicited orders, (iii) purchasing outstanding securities of the Bank for our
account pursuant to unsolicited offers or (iv) selling securities of the Bank
purchased by us in accordance with the provisions of clause (iii) above.  Except
as otherwise required by laws, regulations or rules of securities exchanges
applicable to us, if you notify us that purchases pursuant to clause (iii) above
are to be discontinued, we will not thereafter purchase securities of the Bank
pursuant to such clause.

                                       -3-

<PAGE>


                                     IV.

          On your demand, on the Closing Date (as defined in the Underwriting
Agreement) prior to 10:00 a.m. Eastern time, we will effect a transfer to you in
immediately available funds of an amount equal to the public offering price of
and accrued interest on, less the underwriting discount of .250% in respect of,
either (i) the Securities which we are obligated to purchase from the Bank or
(ii) such of the Securities which we are obligated to purchase from the Bank as
shall have been retained by or released to us for direct sale, as you shall
advise.  You will make payment to the Bank for our account against delivery to
you for our account of the Securities which we are obligated to purchase from
the Bank, and you will deliver to us such of the Securities purchased by us as
shall have been retained by or released to us for direct sale.


                                     V.

          We authorize you to receive and credit to our account any amount which
may accrue to us under the other provisions of this Agreement.

          We authorize you to charge our account for our underwriting proportion
of all expenses incurred by you under the terms of this Agreement or in
connection with the purchase, carrying, sale or distribution of the Securities
under this Agreement.


                                     VI.

          For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, we
authorize you, in your discretion, to advance your own funds for our account,
charging current interest rates, to arrange loans for our account, and in
connection therewith to execute and deliver any notes or other instruments and
to hold or pledge as security therefor all or any of the Securities which you
may be holding for our account under this Agreement.  Any lender may rely upon
your instructions in all matters relating to any such loan.

          Out of the payment received by you for Securities sold for our account
you will remit to us promptly an amount equivalent to the purchase price and
accrued interest, if any, paid by us for such Securities and credit or charge
our account with the difference between the price at which such Securities were
sold and the purchase price thereof.

          You may deliver to us from time to time against payment, for carrying
purposes only, any Securities which you are holding for sale for our account but
which have not been sold and paid for.  We will redeliver to you against payment
any Securities so delivered to us for carrying purposes at such times as you may
demand.

                                       -4-

<PAGE>

                                     VII.

          This Agreement shall terminate 30 days after the date hereof unless
sooner terminated by you.  You may at your discretion on notice to us prior to
the termination of this Agreement alter any of the terms of offering determined
pursuant to Article II, or terminate or suspend the effectiveness of
Article III, or any part thereof.

          Upon termination of this Agreement, or prior thereto at your
discretion, you shall deliver to us any Securities purchased by us from the Bank
and held by you for sale for our account to dealers but not sold and paid for.
As soon as practicable after termination of this Agreement our account hereunder
shall be settled and paid.  You may reserve from distribution such amount as you
deem advisable to cover possible additional expenses.  Your determination of the
amount so to be paid to or by us shall be final and conclusive.  Any of our
funds in your hands may be held with your general funds without accountability
for interest.

          Notwithstanding any settlement on the termination of this Agreement,
we will remain liable for our underwriting proportion of all expenses and
liabilities which may be incurred by or for the accounts of the Underwriters.


                                    VIII.

          The Prospectus (including the Information Statement of the Bank and
any other documents incorporated therein by reference) in form satisfactory to
you shall be deemed satisfactory to us.


                                     IX.

          We agree to indemnify and hold harmless each other Underwriter and
each person, if any, who controls any such Underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 to the extent and upon the terms
which each Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Bank as set
forth in Article VI of the Underwriting Agreement.

          Each Underwriter (including you) will pay upon your request, as
contribution, its underwriting proportion of (i) any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Underwriter to any person
other than an Underwriter, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus, any
amendment or supplement thereto or any preliminary prospectus or any other
selling or advertising material approved by you for use by the Underwriters in
connection with the sale of the Securities, or arising out of or based upon any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading (other than an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished in writing to the Bank by any Underwriter
specifically

                                       -5-

<PAGE>

for use therein) and (ii) all legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by
you or with your consent in connection with investigating or defending any such
loss, claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof; provided,
however, that no Underwriter shall be entitled to contribution from any other
Underwriter where the Underwriter seeking contribution has not offered the
Securities to the public in compliance with the terms of this Agreement and in
the manner described in the Prospectus and such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities arise out of such non-compliance.  If any such claim is asserted,
you may take such action in connection therewith as you deem necessary or
desirable, including retention of counsel for the Underwriters, and in your
discretion separate counsel for any particular Underwriter or group of
Underwriters, and may settle or consent to the settlement of any such claim, on
advice of counsel retained by you, with the approval of a majority in interest
of the Underwriters.  Any Underwriter may elect to retain its own counsel at its
own expense.

          The provisions of this Article IX shall survive the termination of
this Agreement.


                                     X.

          Default by any one or more Underwriters hereunder or under the
Underwriting Agreement shall not release the other Underwriters from any of
their obligations or affect the liability of any defaulting Underwriter to the
other Underwriters for damages resulting from such default.

          In the event that any Underwriter shall default in its obligations
hereunder (i) to pay amounts charged to its account pursuant to the second
paragraph of Article V or (ii) pursuant to Article IX or the fourth paragraph of
this Article X, we will assume our proportionate share (based upon the
respective underwriting proportions of the non-defaulting Underwriters) of such
obligations, but no such assumption shall affect the liability of any defaulting
Underwriter.

          If one or more Underwriters default under the Underwriting Agreement,
you may arrange for the purchase by others, including non-defaulting
Underwriters, of Securities not taken up by the defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters.

          If the Underwriting Agreement is terminated as permitted by the terms
thereof, our obligations hereunder shall immediately terminate except (i) as set
forth in Article IX, (ii) that we shall remain liable for our underwriting
proportion of all expenses and (iii) that such termination shall not affect the
liability of any defaulting Underwriter.


                                    XI.

          Nothing herein contained constitutes the Underwriters a partnership,
association or separate entity, and the rights and liabilities of ourselves and
of each of the other Underwriters are several and not joint.

                                       -6-

<PAGE>

          Your authority hereunder and under the Underwriting Agreement shall be
exercised by you jointly.  You shall be under no liability to us for any act or
omission except for obligations expressly assumed by you herein, and no
obligations on your part will be implied hereby or inferred herefrom.  You will
not have any responsibility with respect to the right of any Underwriter or
other person to sell Securities in any jurisdiction, notwithstanding any
information you may furnish in that connection.

          The Securities purchased by, or on behalf of, the respective
Underwriters shall remain the property of such Underwriters until sold, and
title to any such Securities shall not in any event pass to you by virtue of any
of the provisions of this Agreement.

          Any notice from you to us shall be deemed to have been duly given if
mailed or sent by facsimile transmission to us at our address or facsimile
transmission number as furnished to you.

          This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York.

          This Agreement is being executed by us and delivered to you in
duplicate.  Upon your confirmation hereof and of agreements in identical form
with each of the other Underwriters, this Agreement shall constitute a valid and
binding contract between us.

                    Very truly yours,

                    BANQUE PARIBAS
                    DAIWA EUROPE LIMITED
                    DEUTSCHE BANK AG LONDON
                    IBJ INTERNATIONAL PLC
                    LEHMAN BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE)
                    MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL
                    J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LTD.
                    MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
                    NOMURA INTERNATIONAL PLC
                    SALOMON BROTHERS INC
                    SWISS BANK CORPORATION
                    TOKYO-MITSUBISHI INTERNATIONAL PLC
                    UBS LIMITED



                    By:
                        ------------------------------------------
                            Attorney-in-fact for each of the
                            several Underwriters named above


Confirmed the day and year first above written:

                                       -7-

<PAGE>

CS FIRST BOSTON LIMITED
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.



By:
    ------------------------------------
       (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)



                                        -8-

<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
                                     [LOGO]
                              U.S. $1,000,000,000
 
                     INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION
                                AND DEVELOPMENT
 
                    6 3/8% U.S. DOLLAR GLOBAL BONDS OF 1996,
                                DUE MAY 24, 2001
 
         PRICE 99.742% PLUS ACCRUED INTEREST, IF ANY, FROM MAY 24, 1996
                            ------------------------
 
    The Bonds are offered for sale in the Eurodollar, Japanese and United States
markets.
 
    The  Bonds will bear  interest from May  24, 1996. Interest  will be payable
semi-annually on November 24 and May 24 of each year. The first interest payment
will be on November 24, 1996. The Bonds will mature on May 24, 2001 and will not
be redeemable prior to maturity.
 
    Application is being made to list the Bonds on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange
and the New York Stock Exchange.
 
    The Underwriters have  agreed to  purchase from the  Bank all  the Bonds  at
99.492%  of their principal amount  plus accrued interest, if  any, from May 24,
1996. The Bonds are offered for sale  subject to issuance and acceptance by  the
Underwriters  and subject to prior  sale. The Bonds will  be issued in bookentry
form through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. They will be held in accounts
with institutions having  access in the  United States to  the bookentry  system
operated  by the Federal Reserve  Banks, or in accounts  with Euroclear or Cedel
participants that are  indirectly connected with  such bookentry system  through
Euroclear  or Cedel. The  Bonds may be  exchanged free of  charge for registered
definitive securities upon request.  It is expected that  delivery of the  Bonds
will  be made on or  about May 24, 1996  against payment therefor in immediately
available funds.
                            ------------------------
 
CS FIRST BOSTON                                             GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
 
DAIWA EUROPE LIMITED                                    DEUTSCHE MORGAN GRENFELL
 
IBJ INTERNATIONAL PLC                                            LEHMAN BROTHERS
 
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.                                  J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LTD.
 
MORGANSTANLEY & CO.                                            NOMURA SECURITIES
      INTERNATIONAL
 
PARIBAS CAPITAL MARKETS                                     SALOMON BROTHERS INC
 
SBC WARBURG                                   TOKYO-MITSUBISHI INTERNATIONAL PLC
A DIVISION OF SWISS
BANK CORPORATION
                                   UBS LIMITED
 
    The activities of the Underwriters  in connection with this transaction  are
led jointly by CS First Boston Limited and Goldman, Sachs & Co.
 
                  The date of this Prospectus is May 21, 1996.
<PAGE>
    IN  CONNECTION  WITH THIS  OFFERING, GOLDMAN,  SACHS &  CO. MAY,  SUBJECT TO
APPLICABLE LAWS, OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT  TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR  MAINTAIN
THE  MARKET PRICE OF THE BONDS OFFERED HEREBY  AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT
OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN  THE OPEN MARKET.  SUCH STABILIZING, IF  COMMENCED, MAY  BE
DISCONTINUED  AT  ANY TIME.  ANY STABILIZATION  ACTIVITIES EFFECTED  BY GOLDMAN,
SACHS & CO. ARE SUBJECT TO PRIOR AGREEMENT WITH CS FIRST BOSTON LIMITED.
 
    No  person  is  authorized   to  give  any  information   or  to  make   any
representation  not  contained  in  this  Prospectus,  and  any  information  or
representation not  contained herein  must not  be relied  upon as  having  been
authorized  by or  on behalf  of the  International Bank  for Reconstruction and
Development, 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. (the "Bank") or
by any of the underwriters named  on the cover hereof (the "Underwriters").  The
delivery  of this  Prospectus at  any time does  not imply  that the information
contained herein is correct at any time subsequent to its date.
 
    The  Bank,  having  made  all  reasonable  inquiries,  confirms  that   this
Prospectus  contains all information with regard to the Bonds and the Bank which
is material in the context  of the issue of the  Bonds, that the information  is
true and accurate in all material respects and is not misleading, and that there
are no other facts the omission of which makes this Prospectus as a whole or any
such information misleading in any material respect.
 
    This  Prospectus does not constitute an offer  of, or an invitation by or on
behalf of the Bank or the Underwriters to subscribe for or purchase, any of  the
Bonds.
 
    The distribution of this Prospectus and the offering or sale of the Bonds in
certain  jurisdictions may be  restricted by law.  Persons into whose possession
this Prospectus comes are  required by the Bank  and the Underwriters to  inform
themselves  about and to  observe any such  restrictions. (See "Underwriting and
Distribution".)
 
    The Bonds  offered  hereby are  not  required  to be  registered  under  the
Securities  Act of 1933.  Accordingly, no registration  statement has been filed
with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The  Bonds
have  not been approved or disapproved by the Commission or any state securities
commission nor has the Commission or any state securities commission passed upon
the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the  contrary
is a criminal offense.
 
    In  this Prospectus,  references to "dollars"  and "$" are  to United States
dollars.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Availability of Information and Incorporation by Reference.................................................          3
Description of the Bonds...................................................................................          3
Terms and Conditions of the Bonds..........................................................................          4
Tax Matters................................................................................................          7
Validity of the Bonds......................................................................................          9
Miscellaneous..............................................................................................          9
Underwriting and Distribution..............................................................................          9
Listing and Clearing.......................................................................................         10
Use of Proceeds............................................................................................         10
Principal Information Concerning the Bank..................................................................         10
  Assets...................................................................................................         10
  Liabilities, Equity and Profitability....................................................................         13
  Capitalization...........................................................................................         14
Summary of Balance Sheets at March 31, 1996 (Unaudited) and June 30, 1995..................................         15
Summary Statements of Income for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 1996 and 1995 (Unaudited) and for the
 Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1995...........................................................................         16
</TABLE>
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
           AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
EURODOLLAR MARKET
 
    The  Bank is in the process of  filing with the Luxembourg Stock Exchange an
Information Statement dated as of  March 18, 1996 (the "Information  Statement")
which  describes the Bank, its  capital, operations, administration, Articles of
Agreement (the  "Articles") and  legal status.  The Information  Statement  also
includes  the Bank's unaudited financial statements  as of December 31, 1995 and
audited financial statements as of June 30, 1995 and June 30, 1994.
 
    Copies of the Information Statement will be available upon request  directed
to  the main office of the Special  Agent in Luxembourg, which is Banque Paribas
Luxembourg,  Luxembourg.  In  addition,  until   the  maturity  of  the   Bonds,
Bondholders  may, at the main office of the Special Agent in Luxembourg, inspect
copies of the Articles and decisions made by the Executive Directors of the Bank
on questions of  interpretation of the  Articles, inspect copies  of the  Fiscal
Agency  Agreement, and obtain copies of the Bank's annual report and its regular
quarterly unaudited and annual audited financial statements published subsequent
to the date of this Prospectus.
 
JAPANESE MARKET
 
    The Bank will provide without charge copies of the Information Statement and
any quarterly or annual financial statements published subsequent to the date of
this Prospectus and  prior to the  maturity of the  Bonds. Written or  telephone
requests  should be directed to the World Bank, Kokusai Building, Room 916, 1-1,
Marunouchi 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan, tel: 214-5001/2.
 
U.S. MARKET
 
    The Bank is subject to certain informational requirements of Regulation  BW,
promulgated  by the U.S. Securities and  Exchange Commission under Section 15(a)
of the  Bretton Woods  Agreements Act,  and in  accordance therewith  files  its
regular quarterly and annual financial statements, the annual report of the Bank
to its Board of Governors and other information with the Commission.
 
    In  addition, the Bank  has filed the  Information Statement described above
with the Commission. The  Information Statement and  such regular quarterly  and
annual  financial statements, reports and other information can be inspected and
copied at the offices of  the Commission at Room  1026, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,
Washington,  D.C. 20549, and  copies of such  material can be  obtained from the
Public Reference Section of  the Commission at the  above address at  prescribed
rates.  The  Information  Statement,  annual reports  and  quarterly  and annual
financial statements also may be  inspected at the SEC  Library of the New  York
Stock Exchange.
 
GENERAL
 
    The  Information Statement, and any quarterly or annual financial statements
filed by the  Bank with the  Luxembourg Stock Exchange  and with the  Commission
pursuant  to Regulation BW  subsequent to the date  of the Information Statement
and prior to the termination of the offering of the Bonds, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof.
 
    The Bank will provide without charge copies of the Information Statement and
any quarterly or annual financial  statements incorporated herein by  reference.
Written  or telephone  requests should  be directed  to the  World Bank,  1818 H
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, Attention: Financial Operations Department
(202) 458-0746.
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS
 
    The issuance of the Bonds has been authorized by a resolution of the  Bank's
Executive Directors adopted on July 11, 1995.
 
    The  Bonds  are  not obligations  of  any  government, and  their  terms and
conditions will contain a statement to that effect.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE
 
    On original issuance, all  Bonds will be issued  as Bookentry Bonds  through
the  Federal Reserve Bank of New York  and held by Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
of New York and The Chase Manhattan  Bank, N.A., as Holding Institutions and  as
depositaries  for Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels branch, as
operator of the Euroclear System  ("Euroclear"), and Cedel Bank societe  anonyme
("Cedel"),  respectively, and by the other Holding Institutions designated by CS
First Boston Limited and Goldman, Sachs & Co.: provided that, prior to  original
issuance  a purchaser  may request  that after  original issuance  its Bookentry
Bonds be exchanged for Definitive Bonds. After original issuance, all  Bookentry
Bonds  will continue to be held by  such Holding Institutions unless a purchaser
arranges for the transfer of its Bookentry Bonds to another Holding  Institution
or  requests Definitive Bonds.  The terms "Bookentry  Bonds", "Definitive Bonds"
and "Holding Institutions" are defined below.
 
BOOKENTRY SYSTEM
 
    The Federal  Reserve  Bank  of New  York  will  take delivery  of  and  hold
Bookentry  Bonds as record  owner and custodian for  other Federal Reserve Banks
and for Holding  Institutions located  in the Second  Federal Reserve  District.
Holding  Institutions  located  in  other  Federal  Reserve  Districts  can hold
Bookentry Bonds through their  respective Federal Reserve  Banks or Branches.  A
"Holding  Institution" is a depositary or  other designated institution that has
an appropriate  bookentry  account  with  a  Federal  Reserve  Bank  or  Branch.
Transfers  of Bookentry Bonds  between Holding Institutions  can be made through
the Federal Reserve Communications System.
 
    The aggregate holdings of Bookentry  Bonds of each Holding Institution  will
be  reflected  in the  bookentry account  of such  Holding Institution  with its
Federal Reserve  Bank  or  Branch.  Each Holding  Institution,  and  each  other
intermediate holder in the chain to the ultimate beneficial owner, will have the
responsibility of establishing and maintaining accounts for its customers having
interests in Bookentry Bonds. Federal Reserve Banks will be responsible only for
maintaining  the bookentry accounts of Holding Institutions, effecting transfers
on their  books, ensuring  that  payments from  the  Bank, through  the  Federal
Reserve  Bank of New York, are  credited to appropriate Holding Institutions and
transmitting to the  Bank, through  the Federal Reserve  Bank of  New York,  any
notices  received from  holders of  Bookentry Bonds  pursuant to  the provisions
described under "Events of  Default". With respect  to Bookentry Bonds,  Federal
Reserve  Banks will  act only  on the  instructions of  Holding Institutions for
which they maintain  such Bookentry Bonds.  The Federal Reserve  Banks will  not
record pledges of Bookentry Bonds.
 
    The Bank will not impose fees in respect of Bookentry Bonds; however, owners
of  Bookentry Bonds  may incur  fees payable in  respect of  the maintenance and
operation of the bookentry accounts in which such Bookentry Bonds are held.
 
                       TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE BONDS
 
    The terms and conditions of the Bonds will be substantially in the following
form. Such terms and conditions will appear on each Definitive Bond and will  be
available to holders of Bookentry Bonds from the Bank upon request.
 
  1.  AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, FORM AND DENOMINATION
 
    Each  Bond is one of an authorized issue of Bonds in the aggregate principal
amount of $1,000,000,000 known as the 6  3/8% U.S. Dollar Global Bonds of  1996,
due May 24, 2001 of the Bank (the "Bonds").
 
    Bonds will be available in uncertificated bookentry form ("Bookentry Bonds")
or,  if  a  purchaser  specifically  so  requests,  in  the  form  of registered
certificates ("Definitive Bonds"),  in denominations of  $1,000 or any  integral
multiple  thereof. Bookentry Bonds and  Definitive Bonds will be interchangeable
in like aggregate principal amount without charge pursuant to the provisions  of
"Exchanges and Transfers".
 
    The  Bank may from time to time without the consent of the Bondholders issue
further Bonds so as to form a single issue with the Bonds.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
  2.  STATUS
 
    The Bonds constitute direct, unsecured obligations of the Bank ranking  pari
passu,  without any preference among themselves,  with all its other obligations
that are unsecured and unsubordinated.
 
  3.  PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST
 
    (a) The  principal  of and  interest  on the  Bonds  will be  payable  at  a
designated  office  or agency  of the  Bank in  New  York City  in such  coin or
currency of the  United States of  America as at  the time of  payment is  legal
tender  for  public and  private  debts; provided  that,  at the  Bank's option,
principal of and interest on Bookentry Bonds may be paid by credit to a  Federal
Reserve  Bank or Branch  account of Holding  Institutions holding such Bookentry
Bonds (including  Morgan  Guaranty Trust  Company  of New  York  ("Morgan"),  as
depositary  for Morgan, Brussels branch, as operator of Euroclear, and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, N.A.  ("Chase"), as  depositary for  Cedel, for  the benefit  of
holders  of Bonds  through Euroclear and  Cedel, respectively),  and interest on
Definitive Bonds and,  upon surrender of  such Bonds, principal  thereof may  be
paid by draft payable through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and mailed to
the registered holders thereof. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 33 Liberty
Street,  New York,  New York  10045, will  act as  the Bank's  fiscal agent (the
"Fiscal Agent") for the Bonds pursuant to a Fiscal Agency Agreement.
 
    (b) If any date for payment in respect of any Bond is not a day on which the
Federal Reserve  Bank of  New York  is  open for  business (a  "Federal  Reserve
Business  Day"), the holder thereof  shall not be entitled  to payment until the
next following Federal Reserve  Business Day, and no  further interest shall  be
paid in respect of the delay in such payment.
 
    (c) The Bonds will bear interest from and including May 24, 1996 at the rate
of  6 3/8 percent per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on November 24 and
May 24 of  each year,  commencing November  24, 1996.  Should the  Bank fail  to
redeem the Bonds when due, interest shall not cease to accrue but shall continue
to  accrue until the actual redemption of the Bonds but not beyond the fifteenth
day after a  publication is  made by  the Fiscal Agent  to the  effect that  the
necessary  funds for  redemption have been  provided to the  Fiscal Agent. Where
interest is to be calculated in respect of  a period of other than one year,  it
will  be calculated on the basis of a 360  day year of 12 months of 30 days each
and the number of days elapsed.
 
  4.  REDEMPTION AND PURCHASE
 
    Unless previously purchased and cancelled, the Bonds will be redeemed by the
Bank at maturity on May 24, 2001  at their principal amount. The Bonds will  not
be  redeemable prior to maturity. The Bank may at any time purchase Bonds at any
price in  the open  market or  otherwise. Bonds  purchased by  the Bank  may  be
surrendered for cancellation.
 
  5.  TITLE
 
    The Bank may deem and treat the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in respect
of  all Bookentry Bonds, and the registered  owner, in respect of any Definitive
Bond, as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes whatsoever  notwithstanding
any  notice to the contrary; and all payments  to or on the order of the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York and such registered owner, respectively, shall be valid
and effectual to discharge  the liability of the  Bank upon the Bookentry  Bonds
and  such Definitive Bond to the extent of the sum or sums so paid. As custodian
of Bookentry Bonds,  the Federal Reserve  Bank of  New York may  deem and  treat
other  Federal Reserve Banks  and Branches, and  Holding Institutions located in
the Second Federal Reserve District, holding any Bookentry Bonds as the absolute
owner thereof  for all  purposes whatsoever  notwithstanding any  notice to  the
contrary;  and all payments to or on the  order of such Federal Reserve Banks or
Branches or  Holding  Institutions,  as the  case  may  be, will  be  valid  and
effectual  to discharge  the responsibility of  the Federal Reserve  Bank of New
York with respect to such Bookentry Bonds to  the extent of the sum or the  sums
so paid.
 
  6.  RECORD DATE
 
    The  record date for the purpose of  payment of interest or principal on the
Bonds shall be as of  the close of business at  the Federal Reserve Bank of  New
York    on   (a)   the   day   preceding   any   interest   payment   date   for
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
holders of Bookentry Bonds and (b) the tenth day preceding any interest  payment
date  for holders of Definitive Bonds. If any  such day is not a Federal Reserve
Business Day,  the record  date  shall be  the  next preceding  Federal  Reserve
Business Day.
 
  7.  EXCHANGES AND TRANSFERS
 
    (a) Without charge, (i) Definitive Bonds may be exchanged, upon presentation
and surrender at a designated office or agency of the Bank in New York City, for
Definitive Bonds of other authorized denominations or for Bookentry Bonds of any
authorized  denominations, or both, in the same aggregate principal amount; (ii)
any Definitive Bond may be transferred  by the registered holder thereof, or  by
his  attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing,  at such office or agency upon
presentation and surrender  of such  Bond for  cancellation, and  upon any  such
transfer  a new Definitive Bond or Bonds, of authorized denominations and in the
same aggregate principal  amount, will be  issued to the  transferee; and  (iii)
Bookentry  Bonds may  be exchanged  free of charge  for Definitive  Bonds of any
authorized denominations  in accordance  with  procedures established  for  this
purpose from time to time by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Requests from
holders through Euroclear or Cedel for Definitive Bonds must be directed through
the  respective clearing  system to  Morgan or  Chase, respectively,  as Holding
Institutions. Bookentry Bonds may  be transferred between Holding  Institutions,
in  Federal Reserve  Districts where the  respective Federal  Reserve Banks have
adopted appropriate procedures, in accordance with such procedures.
 
    (b) Transfers or  exchanges of  Definitive Bonds or  exchanges of  Bookentry
Bonds  for Definitive Bonds may not be effected during a period of ten days next
preceding any interest payment date.
 
    (c) Transfers of Bookentry Bonds between holders through Euroclear or  Cedel
and  holders through Holding Institutions will be effected through the bookentry
accounts of Morgan and  Chase as Holding Institutions  with the Federal  Reserve
Bank  of New York, thereby increasing or decreasing their respective holdings of
the Bonds on  behalf of  Euroclear or Cedel.  Bonds may  be transferred  between
participants  within Euroclear and within Cedel, and between Euroclear and Cedel
participants, in accordance  with procedures established  for this purpose  from
time to time by Euroclear and Cedel.
 
  8.  NEGATIVE PLEDGE COVENANT
 
    As  long as any of the Bonds shall be outstanding and unpaid, but only up to
the time all amounts of principal and interest have been placed at the  disposal
of  the Fiscal Agent, the Bank will not cause  or permit to be created on any of
its property or assets any mortgage, pledge or other lien or charge as  security
for  any bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness heretofore or hereafter
issued, assumed or  guaranteed by the  Bank for money  borrowed (other than  any
purchase  money mortgage or  other pledge or  lien on property  purchased by the
Bank as security for all or part of the purchase price thereof, any lien arising
in the ordinary course of  business and securing a  debt maturing not more  than
one  year after  the date on  which such lien  is incurred, or  any extension or
renewal of any  of the foregoing),  unless the  Bonds shall be  secured by  such
mortgage,  pledge or other  lien or charge  equally and ratably  with such other
bonds, notes or evidences of indebtedness.
 
  9.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
    If the Bank shall default  in the payment of  the principal of, or  interest
on,  or in the  performance of any covenant  in respect of a  purchase fund or a
sinking fund in, any bonds (including  the Bonds), notes or similar  obligations
which  shall  have been  issued, assumed  or  guaranteed by  the Bank,  and such
default shall continue for a period of 90 days, then at any time thereafter  and
during  the  continuance of  such default  any holder  of any  of the  Bonds may
deliver or cause to be  delivered (in the case  of Bookentry Bonds, through  the
holder,  if any, immediately  preceding it and any  other intermediate holder in
the chain to  the Federal  Reserve Bank  of New  York, and  through the  Federal
Reserve  Bank of New  York) to the Bank  at its principal office  in the City of
Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America, written notice  that
such  holder elects  to declare the  principal of  Bonds held by  it (the serial
numbers and denominations, in  the case of Definitive  Bonds, and the  aggregate
principal  amount,  in the  case of  Bookentry  Bonds, to  be specified  in such
notice) to be due and payable, and on the thirtieth day after such notice  shall
be  so delivered to  the Bank the principal  of such Bonds  shall become due and
payable, unless prior to that time all such defaults theretofore existing  shall
have been cured.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
  10.  REPLACEMENT OF DEFINITIVE BONDS
 
    If  any Definitive Bond is mutilated, defaced, lost, stolen or destroyed, it
may be replaced at the office of the Fiscal Agent on payment by the claimant  of
such  costs as may be  incurred in connection therewith and  on such terms as to
evidence and indemnity as the Bank  and the Fiscal Agent may require.  Mutilated
or  defaced Definitive  Bonds must  be surrendered  before replacements  will be
issued.
 
  11.  NOTICES
 
    All notices regarding the  Bonds shall be published  (a) in a leading  daily
newspaper  printed in the English language and of general circulation in London,
(b) so long  as the  Bonds are  listed on the  Luxembourg Stock  Exchange, in  a
leading  daily newspaper in either the French  or German language and of general
circulation in Luxembourg,  (c) in  a leading  daily newspaper  in the  Japanese
language  and  of  general circulation  in  Tokyo  and (d)  in  a  leading daily
newspaper in the English language and of general circulation in New York. It  is
expected  that such notices will normally be published in the Financial Times in
London, the Luxemburger Wort in Luxembourg, the Nikkei Shimbun in Tokyo and  The
Wall Street Journal in New York.
 
  12.  GOVERNING LAW
 
    The  validity and the terms and conditions  of the Bonds will be governed by
the law of the State of New York.
 
                                  TAX MATTERS
 
    The following is  a summary  of the  provisions of  the Articles  concerning
taxation  of the Bonds  and of certain anticipated  United States Federal income
and estate tax  consequences resulting  from the  ownership of  the Bonds.  This
summary  does  not  cover all  the  possible  tax consequences  relating  to the
ownership of  the Bonds  and the  receipt of  interest thereon,  and it  is  not
intended  as tax advice to  any person. This summary  addresses only holders who
are initial purchasers of the Bonds and  hold the Bonds as capital assets.  This
summary  does  not  address  special  classes of  holders,  such  as  dealers in
securities or currencies, banks, tax-exempt entities, life insurance  companies,
persons  holding Bonds as  a hedge or  hedged against interest  rate or currency
risks or as part of a straddle, or holders whose functional currency is not  the
U.S.  dollar. It is based  upon the United States  Federal income and estate tax
laws as now  in effect and  as currently  interpreted and does  not include  any
description  of the tax laws of any  state, local or foreign government that may
apply. All persons considering  the purchase of Bonds  should consult their  own
tax  counsel or  other expert  concerning the  application of  the United States
Federal income tax laws, as well as the possible application of other tax  laws,
to their particular situation.
 
TAX STATUS -- GENERAL
 
    The Bonds and the interest thereon generally will be subject to taxation.
 
    Under  the Articles, the Bonds  and the interest thereon  are not subject to
any tax by a member  of the Bank (a) which  tax discriminates against the  Bonds
solely  because they are  issued by the  Bank or (b)  if the sole jurisdictional
basis for the tax is the place or  currency in which the Bonds are issued,  made
payable  or paid, or the location of  any office or place of business maintained
by the Bank. Also, under the Articles,  the Bank is not under any obligation  to
withhold  or pay  any tax imposed  by any member  on the interest  on the Bonds.
Accordingly, interest due on the Bonds will be paid to the Fiscal Agent  without
deduction in respect of any such tax.
 
TAX STATUS -- UNITED STATES
 
    UNITED  STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION.   Under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended ("Code"), a United States citizen or resident alien individual,
as well as a United States domestic  corporation or any other holder subject  to
United  States Federal income taxation on a net income basis with respect to the
Bonds (a  "U.S. Holder"),  will be  taxable on  the stated  interest accrued  or
received on the Bonds in accordance with such U.S. Holder's method of accounting
for United States Federal income tax purposes.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
    The  United States Treasury Department has  issued to the Bank rulings dated
May 4, 1988  and May  5, 1989 ("Rulings")  regarding certain  United States  tax
consequences  under the Code of the receipt  of interest on securities issued by
the Bank. The Rulings provide that interest paid by the Bank on such securities,
including payments attributable to accrued original issue discount,  constitutes
income  from sources outside  the United States.  The Rulings further determined
that neither the Bank nor an agent appointed by it as principal for the  purpose
of  paying interest on securities issued by the Bank is required to withhold tax
on interest paid by the Bank.
 
    Under the Rulings, interest paid by the Bank ordinarily would not be subject
to United States  Federal income tax,  including withholding tax,  if paid to  a
nonresident  alien individual (or foreign partnership,  estate or trust) or to a
foreign corporation, whether or not such person is engaged in trade or  business
in the United States. However, absent any special statutory or treaty exception,
such  interest  would be  subject to  United  States Federal  income tax  in the
following cases:  (a) such  interest is  derived by  such person  in the  active
conduct  of a banking, financing or similar business within the United States or
is received by a corporation the principal business of which is trading in stock
or securities  for  its  own  account,  and in  either  case  such  interest  is
attributable to an office or other fixed place of business of such person within
the  United States  or (b) such  person is  a foreign corporation  taxable as an
insurance company  carrying  on a  United  States insurance  business  and  such
interest is attributable to its United States business.
 
    A  U.S.  Holder  generally  will  recognize gain  or  loss  on  the  sale or
retirement of Bonds  in an  amount equal to  the difference  between the  amount
realized  on the  sale or  retirement and  such U.S.  Holder's tax  basis in the
Bonds. Except to the extent attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, gain or
loss recognized on the sale or retirement of Bonds will be capital gain or  loss
and  will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Bonds were held for more than
one  year.  Nonresident   alien  individuals,   foreign  corporations,   foreign
partnerships,  and foreign estates  and trusts generally will  not be taxable on
gain or loss  on the  sale or  exchange of Bonds  unless ownership  of Bonds  is
effectively  connected with  the conduct  of a trade  or business  in the United
States or, in  the case of  a nonresident alien  individual, such individual  is
present  in the United  States for 183 or  more days in the  taxable year of the
sale or exchange and certain other conditions are met.
 
    The imposition of United States Federal  income tax in the manner  described
above is not inconsistent with the Articles.
 
    UNITED STATES FEDERAL ESTATE TAXATION.  In the case of United States Federal
estate  tax,  the  Rulings  determined  that,  unless  an  applicable  death tax
convention with a foreign country provides otherwise, securities of the Bank are
deemed to  be situated  outside the  United States  for purposes  of the  United
States  Federal estate  tax and  are not  includable in  the value  of the gross
estate for purposes of such  tax in the case of  the estate of a nonresident  of
the United States who is not a citizen of the United States.
 
    INFORMATION  REPORTING AND BACKUP  WITHHOLDING.  The Bank  is not subject to
the reporting requirements that are imposed by United States law with respect to
certain payments of interest or principal on debt obligations, nor is it subject
to backup withholding tax  imposed, in certain  circumstances, by United  States
law  with respect  to such payments.  While temporary regulations  issued by the
Internal  Revenue   Service  ("IRS")   confirm  that   the  backup   withholding
requirements  do not apply  to the Fiscal  Agent with respect  to the Bonds, the
Fiscal Agent may file information returns with the IRS with respect to  payments
on  Bonds made within  the United States to  certain non-corporate United States
persons as if such returns  were required of it.  Under the bookentry system  as
operated  by the Federal Reserve  Bank of New York,  no such information returns
will be filed by the Fiscal Agent with respect to Bookentry Bonds.
 
    Brokers, trustees,  custodians and  other intermediaries  within the  United
States  are subject  to the reporting  and backup  withholding requirements with
respect to certain payments  on the Bonds  received by them  for the account  of
certain  non-corporate  United  States persons,  and  foreign  persons receiving
payments on  the  Bonds  within  the  United States  may  be  required  by  such
intermediaries to establish their status in order to avoid information reporting
and  backup  withholding  of  tax  by such  intermediaries  in  respect  of such
payments. Foreign persons  receiving payments  on the Bonds  outside the  United
States through foreign
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
brokers,  trustees, custodians or other  intermediaries (including Euroclear and
Cedel participants)  generally are  not required  to establish  their status  as
foreign  persons in order to avoid  information reporting and backup withholding
of tax.
 
                             VALIDITY OF THE BONDS
 
    The validity of  the Bonds will  be passed  upon by the  Vice President  and
General  Counsel,  Deputy  General  Counsel or  the  Assistant  General Counsel,
Finance, of the Bank and by  Sullivan & Cromwell, counsel for the  Underwriters,
who,  with respect to certain matters, will rely upon the opinion of the counsel
of the Bank.
 
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
 
    The Bonds will not be issued under an indenture, and no trustee is  provided
for  in the Bonds.  Under the provisions  of Section 15(a)  of the Bretton Woods
Agreements Act, as amended, the Bonds are exempted securities within the meaning
of Section 3(a)(2) of the U.S. Securities  Act of 1933, as amended, and  Section
3(a)(12)  of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act  of 1934, as amended. In addition,
it is not necessary to register the Bonds under the Securities and Exchange  Law
of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended).
 
    The  Bank  obtained on  July 14,  1995  a designation  from the  Minister of
Finance of  Japan which  dispenses,  for a  period of  one  year from  the  date
thereof,  with  the  Bank's  filing of  prior  notifications  under  the Foreign
Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law of Japan (Law No. 228, 1949), as amended,
in respect of its offerings of securities (including the Bonds) in Japan.
 
                         UNDERWRITING AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Underwriters listed  below have  severally agreed to  purchase, and  the
Bank  has agreed to  sell to them  severally, the principal  amount of Bonds set
forth below opposite their names.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NAME                                                PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------
<S>                                                                                               <C>
CS First Boston Limited.........................................................................  $    285,500,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co. ...........................................................................       285,500,000
Banque Paribas..................................................................................        33,000,000
Daiwa Europe Limited............................................................................        33,000,000
Deutsche Bank AG London.........................................................................        33,000,000
IBJ International plc...........................................................................        33,000,000
Lehman Brothers International (Europe)..........................................................        33,000,000
Merrill Lynch International.....................................................................        33,000,000
J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd. ....................................................................        33,000,000
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Ltd..........................................................        33,000,000
Nomura International plc........................................................................        33,000,000
Salomon Brothers Inc ...........................................................................        33,000,000
Swiss Bank Corporation..........................................................................        33,000,000
Tokyo-Mitsubishi International plc..............................................................        33,000,000
UBS Limited.....................................................................................        33,000,000
                                                                                                  ----------------
          Total.................................................................................  $  1,000,000,000
                                                                                                  ----------------
                                                                                                  ----------------
</TABLE>
 
    The Underwriters propose to  offer the Bonds to  the public at the  offering
price set forth on the cover page hereof.
 
    The  Underwriters  have agreed  to purchase  the  Bonds from  the Bank  at a
purchase  price  of  99.492%  of  their  principal  amount,  which  reflects  an
underwriting  discount of 0.250%.  CS First Boston Limited  and Goldman, Sachs &
Co., as representatives of the Underwriters, may offer Bonds to certain  dealers
who  are not  members of the  underwriting group  at a price  which represents a
concession not in  excess of  0.225% of the  principal amount  under the  public
offering price.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    The  Underwriting  Agreement provides  that the  obligations of  the several
Underwriters are subject  to certain conditions,  including approval of  certain
legal  matters by counsel and receipt by  the Underwriters of a certificate of a
principal officer of the Bank to the effect that prior to the closing date there
has been no material adverse change in  the condition of the Bank from that  set
forth  in this Prospectus. In addition, either  the Bank or the Underwriters may
terminate the  Underwriting  Agreement  in  the event  of  certain  national  or
international  political  or  economic  events  that,  in  the  judgment  of the
representatives of  the Underwriters  or the  Bank, would  materially  adversely
affect the ability of the Underwriters to market the Bonds.
 
    Each  of the Underwriters has agreed that it will not offer, sell or deliver
any of the Bonds, directly or  indirectly, or distribute this Prospectus or  any
other  offering material relating to the Bonds, in any jurisdiction except under
circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable laws thereof.
 
                              LISTING AND CLEARING
 
    Application is being made to list the Bonds on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange
and the New York Stock Exchange. Banque Paribas Luxembourg will be appointed the
Bank's Special Agent and Listing Agent in  Luxembourg for the Bonds. So long  as
the  Bonds are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, there shall be a Special
Agent in Luxembourg. The Bonds have been accepted for clearing through Euroclear
and Cedel and have been assigned Common Code 6665055, ISIN no. US459056PH47  and
CUSIP no. 459056 PH4.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    The  net proceeds to the Bank from the sale of the Bonds will be used in the
general operations of the Bank.
 
                   PRINCIPAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BANK
 
    EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL NUMERICAL DATA ARE AS OF MARCH 31, 1996.
 
    The Bank is an international organization, the principal purpose of which is
to promote  the  economic development  of  its member  countries,  primarily  by
providing  loans and related technical assistance  for specific projects and for
programs of  economic  reform  in  developing member  countries.  The  Bank  was
established  and has been operating since  1946 under Articles of Agreement (the
Articles) signed by the governments of its member countries. The Bank's  capital
stock is owned by its member countries, which numbered 180 as of May 13, 1996.
 
ASSETS
 
    The  Bank's principal  asset is its  portfolio of  outstanding loans ($112.0
billion) made  to support  economic development  in member  countries, which  is
diversified by country and sector. All loans are either made to or guaranteed by
a  member country, with the exception of loans made to the International Finance
Corporation (IFC),  a  legally separate  institution  affiliated with  the  Bank
through  largely  common  ownership. No  loans  are  made which,  in  the Bank's
opinion, cannot be justified on economic grounds or which would be for countries
not deemed creditworthy.  The creditworthiness  of all borrowers  is kept  under
continuous review.
 
    The  Bank  provides loans  and guarantees.  The Bank  offers three  types of
loans: currency pool loans, fixed-rate  single currency loans and  floating-rate
single  currency loans. Single  currency loans were  offered in 1993  as a pilot
program and beginning  in May  1995 as  a standard  product. All  loans carry  a
multi-year grace period and thereafter amortize over a period that in most cases
ranges from 12 to 20 years.
 
    CURRENCY  POOL LOANS.   The currency  composition of currency  pool loans is
determined on the basis of a pool, which provides a currency composition that is
the   same   for   all   loans   in    the   pool.   Pursuant   to   a    policy
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
established by the Bank's Executive Directors in 1989, at least 90% of this pool
is  in fixed  currency ratios  of one  U.S. dollar  to 125  Japanese yen  to two
Deutsche mark  equivalent. These  targeted currency  ratios are  expected to  be
reviewed by the Executive Directors in the near future.
 
    The  lending rate on these  loans is variable, adjusted  every six months to
reflect the semester-average interest  cost of outstanding borrowings  allocated
to  fund these loans, weighted by the composition of the currency pool. The Bank
adds its standard spread of 1/2 of 1% to that average interest cost.
 
    As of March  31, 1996, $45,084  million of undisbursed  loans carried  these
terms.  For interest payment periods  from January 1 through  June 30, 1996, the
applicable lending rate is 6.98%.
 
    SINGLE CURRENCY LOANS.  The Bank  currently offers single currency loans  in
U.S. dollars, Japanese yen, Deutsche mark, French francs, pounds sterling, Swiss
francs  and Netherlands  guilders and will  consider borrower  requests for such
loans in other currencies. Borrowers may  select single currency loan terms  for
up  to 50%  of their annual  borrowing program  from the Bank,  or $100 million,
whichever is greater.
 
    Fixed-rate single  currency  loans carry  a  lending  rate that  is  set  on
semi-annual  rate fixing dates and that  applies to all amounts disbursed during
the preceding six months. The  lending rate is comprised  of a base rate,  which
reflects   the  market  interest  rates  for  the  applicable  currency  on  the
rate-fixing date for  the equivalent loan  maturity, plus a  spread. The  spread
consists  of (a) the  Bank's funding cost  margin relative to  the base rate for
funding allocated to these loans, (b) a risk premium to compensate the Bank  for
market risks it incurs in funding these loans and (c) the Bank's standard spread
of 1/2 of 1%. As of March 31, 1996, $1,151 million in fixed rate single currency
loans  in U.S. dollars  and French francs was  disbursed and outstanding; $2,029
million was undisbursed.
 
    Floating-rate single  currency loans  carry  a lending  rate that  is  reset
semiannually.  The lending rate consists of a base rate, which is the prevailing
six month interbank offered rate for the applicable currency on the loan's  rate
reset  date, plus a spread.  The spread consists of  (a) the Bank's average cost
margin for funding allocated to these loans relative to the base rate, plus  (b)
the  Bank's standard spread of 1/2 of 1%.  As of March 31, 1996, $541 million in
floating-rate  single  currency  loans  in   U.S.  dollars  was  disbursed   and
outstanding;  $4,468 million was  undisbursed. For those  loans whose rate reset
date fell on March 15,  1996, the applicable lending  rate for U.S. dollars  was
5.70%.
 
    GUARANTEES.   The  Bank also issues  partial guarantees covering  a range of
risks, as a catalyst to support loans made by private financial institutions and
capital market  borrowings.  Any  payments  made by  the  Bank  under  a  called
guarantee  would result in a repayment obligation  to the Bank from the relevant
member country. As  of March  31, 1996, the  Bank's exposure  on its  guarantees
(i.e.,  the present value in terms of their first call date) was $1,197 million;
the face value of such guarantees was $1,691 million, of which $259 million  was
subject to call.
 
    The  Bank does not differentiate among borrowers  in the spread of 1/2 of 1%
it charges on its outstanding loans.  In addition, all loans carry a  commitment
charge  of  3/4 of  1%  per annum  on  undisbursed amounts.  The  Bank presently
collects a fee of 25 basis points on its exposure on guarantees.
 
    On August 1, 1995, the Executive Directors approved a one-year waiver of  25
basis  points of interest owed by all eligible borrowers for all payment periods
commencing in the  fiscal year  ending June  30, 1996.  The same  waiver was  in
effect  for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995. On the same date, the Executive
Directors also approved a one-year waiver  of 50 basis points of the  commitment
charge owed on undisbursed portions of loans made to or guaranteed by members. A
borrower  is eligible for an interest waiver if  it has serviced all of its Bank
loans within 30 days of due dates that occurred during the six months  preceding
the waiver date.
 
    Most  Bank  loans are  for specific  projects. In  addition, the  Bank makes
structural adjustment  and  sectoral  adjustment loans  which  are  designed  to
support  the  introduction of  basic changes  in  economic, financial  and other
policies of key  importance for  the economic development  of member  countries,
instead  of relying exclusively on the impact  of a series of project operations
supplemented by economic work at the macroeconomic level. Structural  adjustment
loans   support   general   reforms   of   policies   and   institutions,  while
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
sectoral adjustment  loans  are made  to  achieve structural  adjustment  for  a
particular  sector. Current operating guidelines in  this area provide that such
loans will not exceed 25% of Bank lending by a significant amount in any  fiscal
year without a reexamination of this area by the Bank's Executive Directors.
 
    Under  the Articles  as applied,  the total  amount outstanding  of callable
guarantees, participations in loans and direct loans made by the Bank may not be
increased to an amount exceeding 100% of the sum of subscribed capital, reserves
and surplus. Reserves and surplus correspond to the items on the Bank's  Balance
Sheet  labelled  "Retained  Earnings", "Cumulative  Translation  Adjustment" and
"Accumulated Provision for Loan Losses". As of March 31, 1996, such total amount
was $200.0 billion, or  56.1% of such sum.  The Bank's Executive Directors  have
issued  guidelines pursuant to which  all guarantees issued by  the Bank will be
counted  towards  this  limit  at  the  time  they  may  first  become  callable
irrespective of the likelihood of an actual call.
 
    In  March  1991,  the Executive  Directors  decided that  discussions  on an
additional capital increase would be initiated if the Bank's lending commitments
during any  fiscal year  reach 80%  of  the sustainable  level of  lending  (the
commitment  level that in the  Bank's judgment could be  sustained by it without
the need for additional capital). The Bank's lending commitments for the  fiscal
year  ended June 30, 1995 were $16.9  billion, or 56.9% of the sustainable level
of lending.
 
    The Bank does not reschedule interest or principal payments on its loans  or
participate  in  debt  rescheduling agreements  with  respect to  its  loans. In
exceptional cases, however, such  as when implementation  of a financed  project
has  been  delayed, the  loan  amortization schedule  may  be modified  to avoid
substantial repayments prior to  project completion. In  addition, on March  12,
1996,  based on  a precedent  established by the  Bank in  1975 after Bangladesh
became independent from Pakistan, the Bank's Executive Directors authorized  the
Bank  in the special case  of Bosnia and Herzegovina  to enter into an agreement
with that country  with respect to  a plan  for the clearance  of arrears  under
loans  to the former  Socialist Federal Republic of  Yugoslavia for which Bosnia
and Herzegovina accepts liability. The Bank entered into such an agreement  with
Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 1, 1996. The Bank's Executive Directors required
agreement  on a plan to  this effect as a  condition to Bosnia and Herzegovina's
membership in  the  Bank.  Under  the arrears  clearance  plan,  external  donor
contributions  in the  targeted amount  of $60  million to  $75 million  will be
sought to enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to  prepay its loans from the Bank  that
carry  the highest interest rates. Its  remaining principal and interest arrears
and principal not yet  due would then be  refinanced through a consolidated  new
Bank  loan of up to  $650 million (depending upon  the level of donor assistance
actually received), with  a maturity  of 30  years. Consistent  with the  Bank's
current  financial policies,  the new  loan will  not reflect  any interest rate
concessionality or forgiveness of principal.
 
    The Bank's special treatment of the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina was based
on the following  criteria: the  country has emerged  from a  current or  former
member  of the Bank;  it is assuming responsibility  for a share  of the debt of
such member;  because of  a  major armed  conflict  in its  territory  involving
extensive  destruction of physical  assets, it has  limited creditworthiness for
servicing the debt it is  assuming; and a refinancing/rescheduling would  result
in   a  significant  improvement  in  its  repayment  capacity,  if  appropriate
supporting measures are  taken. The Bank  does not believe  any countries  other
than Bosnia and Herzegovina meet such criteria at present.
 
    As of March 31, 1996, loans made to or guaranteed by six member countries of
the  Bank (Bosnia-Herzegovina,  Iraq, Liberia,  Sudan, Syrian  Arab Republic and
Zaire) and one other country --  the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia  and
Montenegro)  --  were  in  nonaccrual status.  The  aggregate  principal balance
outstanding in  respect of  these  loans was  $2,407  million, of  which  $1,498
million  was overdue.  As of  such date, overdue  interest and  other charges in
respect of these  loans totalled $940  million, of which  $143 million had  been
excluded  from net income for the nine months ended March 31, 1996. No principal
installments payable to the Bank on loans other than those in nonaccrual  status
were  overdue  by more  than three  months.  In connection  with the  Bosnia and
Herzegovina arrears clearance  plan, the  Bank has  decided that  loans to  that
country  will remain  in nonaccrual  status until  a suitable  period of payment
performance under its new consolidated loan has elapsed.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    In February 1993, the Bank's Executive Directors decided that the  Socialist
Federal  Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) had ceased to be a member of the Bank and
that the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the former
Yugoslav Republic  of  Macedonia,  the  Republic of  Slovenia  and  the  Federal
Republic  of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) (FRY) were authorized to succeed
to the SFRY's membership when certain requirements were met, including  entering
into  a final agreement with the Bank on  the Bank's loans made to or guaranteed
by the SFRY which the particular successor Republic assumed.
 
    Four of the five successor Republics  -- the Republics of Croatia,  Slovenia
and  Bosnia and  Herzegovina, and the  former Yugoslav Republic  of Macedonia --
have since become members of the Bank. With respect to the FRY, in February 1993
the Bank  reached an  agreement with  that Republic  for the  apportionment  and
service  of debt due to the Bank on loans  made to or guaranteed by the SFRY and
assumed by the FRY,  which confirmed a February  1992 interim agreement  between
the SFRY (then consisting of the Republics of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia,
Montenegro  and Serbia)  and the  Bank pertaining,  among other  things, to such
loans. As of March 31, 1996, no  debt-service payments had been received by  the
Bank from the FRY.
 
    The  Bank maintains  a loan loss  provision to  cover general collectibility
risks in the loan  portfolio as a  whole in addition to  the specific risks  for
loans  in nonaccrual  status. As  of March 31,  1996, the  accumulated loan loss
provision was $3,405 million (approximately 3% of the overall portfolio).
 
    In April 1991,  the Bank's Executive  Directors adopted a  policy to  assist
members  with protracted arrears to the  Bank in mobilizing sufficient resources
to clear their arrears and  to support a sustainable growth-oriented  adjustment
program over the medium term. Under this policy, the Bank will develop a lending
strategy  and  process loans,  but not  sign  or disburse  such loans,  during a
pre-clearance performance period with respect to  members that (1) agree to  and
implement  a  medium-term growth-oriented  structural adjustment  program agreed
with the Bank, (2)  undertake a stabilization program  endorsed or supported  by
the  IMF, where the  member has significant arrears  to the IMF,  (3) agree to a
financing plan  to  clear arrears  fully  to the  Bank  in the  context  of  the
structural  adjustment program and  (4) make debt service  payments on a current
basis on Bank loans  during the performance  period. The signing,  effectiveness
and disbursement of such loans will not take place until the member's arrears to
the  Bank have been  fully cleared. An exception  was made in  the case of Peru,
permitting Bank loans to be signed prior to full arrears clearance in March 1993
so the  loans  could be  submitted  to the  Peruvian  Congress for  approval  in
accordance with Peruvian law.
 
    The  Bank's other major  asset is its  cash and liquid  investments of $13.8
billion (including  investments of  $1.2 billion  held to  maturity), which  was
equivalent  to approximately 14.2% of its  outstanding debt balance at March 31,
1996. The Bank has a policy of  targeting fiscal year-end liquid holdings of  at
least 45% of its projected net cash requirements for the succeeding three years,
in  order to assure flexibility  in its borrowing decisions.  As of December 31,
1995, such liquidity ratio was 38.7%. The Bank's cash and liquid investments are
invested principally in obligations of governments and other official  entities,
time  deposits  and other  obligations issued  or unconditionally  guaranteed by
banks and financial institutions, and  futures and options contracts  pertaining
to such obligations.
 
LIABILITIES, EQUITY AND PROFITABILITY
 
    The  Bank's net borrowings ($97.5 billion) were denominated in 23 currencies
or currency units. The  Bank has borrowed  in all of  the world's major  capital
markets  and  diversifies  its  borrowings  by  currency,  country,  source, and
maturity to provide maximum flexibility in funding.
 
    As of March 31,  1996, the Bank's authorized  capital was 1,525,248  shares,
equal to $184.0 billion, of which 1,486,534 shares, equal to $179.3 billion, had
been  subscribed. This includes  capital increases in April  1988, June 1991 and
April 1992 aggregating 738,748 shares, equal to $89.1 billion, of which  702,505
shares, equal to $84.7 billion, had been subscribed.
 
    Of  the Bank's subscribed capital as of March 31, 1996, $11.0 billion (6.1%)
had been paid in, of which $8.0  billion was available for lending. Members  are
obligated on the uncalled portion of their subscriptions ($168.3 billion), which
may  only be called to meet obligations of the Bank for money borrowed or on any
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
guarantees; it may not  be used for  making loans. The  callable capital of  the
twenty industrialized member countries which are also members of the Development
Assistance   Committee  of  the  OECD  was   $97.4  billion  (99.9%  of  funding
outstanding).
 
    The Bank  seeks to  avoid  exchange risks  by  matching its  liabilities  in
various  currencies with  assets in  those same  currencies and  by matching the
currencies of its reserves with those of its outstanding loans.
 
    The Bank has earned profits in every year since 1947.
 
CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following table shows the funding and the equity of the Bank as of March
31, 1996 in millions of U.S. dollars:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>
FUNDING (AFTER SWAPS)
 
Short-term
  Payable in:
    U.S. dollars........................................................  $   3,414
    Netherland guilders.................................................        150
                                                                          ---------
      Sub-total.........................................................      3,564
    Less -- Net unamortized discounts...................................         11  $   3,553
                                                                          ---------
 
Medium- and long-term
  Payable in:
    Japanese yen........................................................     31,344
    U.S. dollars........................................................     24,442
    Deutsche mark.......................................................     25,117
    Swiss francs........................................................      9,398
    Other currencies....................................................      3,647
                                                                          ---------
      Sub-total.........................................................     93,948
    Less -- Net unamortized discounts...................................         20  $  93,928
                                                                          ---------  ---------
 
  Total.................................................................             $  97,481
                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                     ---------
 
EQUITY
 
Subscribed capital stock1...............................................             $ 179,328
Less -- Uncalled portion of subscriptions...............................               168,377
                                                                                     ---------
  Capital stock paid
    Available for lending...............................................      7,974
    Not available for lending...........................................      2,977     10,951
                                                                          ---------
Deferred amounts to maintain value of currency holdings of paid-in
 capital stock..........................................................                    29
Payments on account of pending subscriptions............................                    16
Retained earnings2......................................................                15,820
Cumulative translation adjustment.......................................                 1,432
                                                                                     ---------
 
  Total.................................................................             $  28,248
                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                     ---------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) The capital stock of the Bank is  expressed in U.S. dollars and valued  with
    reference to the Special Drawing Right of the International Monetary Fund on
    a fixed basis of 1.20635 U.S. dollars for one Special Drawing Right.
 
(2) Includes  Special  Reserve,  General Reserve,  Surplus  and  unallocated net
    income.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
                           SUMMARY OF BALANCE SHEETS
                  MARCH 31, 1996 (UNAUDITED) AND JUNE 30, 1995
                         (IN MILLIONS OF U.S. DOLLARS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     JUNE 30, 1995
                                                                                     MARCH 31, 1996  -------------
                                                                                     --------------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                                  <C>             <C>
ASSETS
Due from banks.....................................................................    $      535     $       589
Investments........................................................................        15,957          21,024
Securities purchased under resale agreements.......................................         1,382             246
Nonnegotiable, noninterest-bearing demand obligations on
 account of subscribed capital.....................................................         1,641           1,610
Receivable from currency swaps.....................................................        15,706          16,735
Receivable from covered forwards...................................................           928           1,307
Other receivables..................................................................         3,567           5,565
Loans outstanding..................................................................       111,963         123,499
Less accumulated provision for loan losses.........................................         3,405           3,740
Other assets.......................................................................         1,655           1,744
                                                                                     --------------  -------------
    Total Assets...................................................................    $  149,929     $   168,579
                                                                                     --------------  -------------
                                                                                     --------------  -------------
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Short-term borrowings..............................................................    $    3,553     $     3,898
Medium- and long-term borrowings...................................................        91,801         104,392
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and payable
 for cash collateral received......................................................         2,732           2,567
Payable for currency swaps.........................................................        17,834          19,985
Payable for covered forwards.......................................................           928           1,306
Payable for Board-approved transfers...............................................           295             135
Other liabilities..................................................................         4,538           5,835
                                                                                     --------------  -------------
    Total Liabilities..............................................................       121,681         138,118
                                                                                     --------------  -------------
                                                                                     --------------  -------------
EQUITY
Capital stock
    Authorized (1,525,248 shares -- March 31, 1996 and June 30, 1995), Subscribed
     (1,486,534 shares -- March 31, 1996; 1,462,574 shares -- June 30, 1995).......       179,328         176,438
    Less uncalled portions of subscriptions........................................       168,377         165,580
                                                                                     --------------  -------------
                                                                                           10,951          10,858
Deferred amounts to maintain value of currency holdings of paid-in capital stock...            29             770
Payments on account of pending subscriptions.......................................            16              23
Retained earnings..................................................................        15,820          15,502
Cumulative translation adjustment..................................................         1,432           3,308
                                                                                     --------------  -------------
    Total Equity...................................................................        28,248          30,461
                                                                                     --------------  -------------
Total Liabilities and Equity.......................................................    $  149,929     $   168,579
                                                                                     --------------  -------------
                                                                                     --------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
                          SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
         FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND 1995 (UNAUDITED)
                  AND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
                         (IN MILLIONS OF U.S. DOLLARS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           MARCH 31,         JUNE 30,
                                                                                      --------------------  -----------
                                                                                        1996       1995        1995
                                                                                      ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                                                          (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>
Income
    Loans...........................................................................  $   6,036  $   6,029   $   8,187
    Investments.....................................................................        586        736       1,104
    Securities purchased under resale agreements....................................         52         41          61
    Other...........................................................................          9          9          10
                                                                                      ---------  ---------  -----------
            Total Income............................................................      6,683      6,815       9,362
                                                                                      ---------  ---------  -----------
 
Expenses
    Borrowings......................................................................      5,007      5,127       6,944
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
     and payable for cash collateral received.......................................         61         62          83
    Administrative..................................................................        566        674         842
    Provision for loan losses.......................................................         33          7          12
    Other...........................................................................          6          6           8
                                                                                      ---------  ---------  -----------
            Total Expenses..........................................................      5,673      5,876       7,889
                                                                                      ---------  ---------  -----------
 
Operating Income....................................................................      1,010        939       1,473
 
Less contributions to special programs..............................................        102        103         119
                                                                                      ---------  ---------  -----------
Net Income..........................................................................  $     908  $     836   $   1,354
                                                                                      ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                                                      ---------  ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
                                     [LOGO]
                           PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
<PAGE>

[LETTERHEAD]
                                                                    May 24, 1996



CS First Boston Limited
One Cabot Square
London E14 4QJ
ENGLAND

Goldman, Sachs & Co.
85 Broad Street
New York,  NY 10004

As Representatives of the several Underwriters

               6-3/8% U.S. DOLLAR GLOBAL BONDS OF 1996, DUE MAY 24, 2001

Dear Sirs:

     I have reviewed the proceedings of the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (the "Bank") to authorize the issue and sale of
$1,000,000,000 6-3/8% U.S. Dollar Global Bonds of 1996, due May 24, 2001 (the
"Securities"), in bookentry and certificated form.  In connection with such
review, I have examined, among other things:

     (a)  the Articles of Agreement, By-Laws and Rules of Procedure for Meetings
          of the Executive Directors of the Bank;

     (b)  the letter dated August 22, 1995 from Lawrence H. Summers, Under
          Secretary, International Affairs, of the Treasury, to the Bank stating
          that the Government of the United States has approved the raising of
          funds by the Bank by the offer of securities in the markets inside or
          outside the United States;

     (c)  the letter dated May 13, 1996 from the Ministry of Finance of Japan,
          notifying the Bank of the approval by the Government of Japan of
          borrowings by the Bank in the markets inside Japan in currencies other
          than Japanese yen and of its agreement to the conversion of the
          proceeds of such borrowings;

     (d)  the letter dated January 29, 1982 from the Government of the United
          Kingdom notifying the Bank of the approval by said Government of
          borrowings by the Bank in currencies other than pounds sterling and of
          its agreement to the conversion of the proceeds of such borrowings;

     (e)  the designation dated July 14, 1995 made by the Minister of Finance of
          Japan, which exempts the Bank, for a period of one year from the date
          thereof, from the filing of prior notifications under the Foreign
          Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law of Japan (Law No. 228 of 1949,
          as amended), in respect of the Bank's offerings of securities in
          Japan;

<PAGE>

     (f)  Resolution No. 95-4, adopted by the Executive Directors of the Bank at
          a meeting held on July 11, 1995, and now in effect, which is
          applicable to the issue of the Securities and authorizes borrowings by
          the Bank in various currencies through July 16, 1996 up to a ceiling
          amount, which equalled the equivalent of $10,205,500,000 on May 21,
          1996, the date of the above-referenced borrowing;

     (g)  the form of definitive registered Securities approved pursuant to
          Resolution No. 95-4 by Gary L. Perlin, Vice President and Treasurer of
          the Bank, on May 24, 1996;

     (h)  the Underwriting Agreement dated May 21, 1996 between the Bank and the
          Underwriters named therein relating to the sale of the Securities;

     (i)  the letter dated May 24, 1996 from the Bank to the Federal Reserve
          Bank of New York ("FRBNY") requesting FRBNY to act as Fiscal Agent
          with respect to the Securities; and

     (j)  the Fiscal Agency Agreement dated as of November 30, 1983 between the
          Bank and FRBNY, as supplemented and amended.

     I am of the opinion that the Bank is an international organization duly
established and existing under its Articles of Agreement; that such Underwriting
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Bank; that the
Bank has obtained all governmental approvals required pursuant to said Articles
of Agreement in connection with the offering, issue and sale of the Securities;
that the Bank has received an exemption from the need for authorization from the
Minister of Finance of Japan pursuant to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade
Control Law of Japan (Law No. 228 of 1949, as amended) to offer, issue and sell
its debt securities in Japan, and no other Japanese governmental approvals are
required in connection with the offering, issue and sale of the Securities; that
the creation, issue, sale and delivery of the Securities, and the execution of
Securities in definitive registered form, have been duly authorized, the
Securities have been duly issued and delivered in bookentry form, and the
Securities in bookentry form constitute, and when executed, authenticated,
issued and delivered the Securities in definitive registered form will
constitute, valid and legally binding obligations of the Bank in accordance with
their terms; and that under existing law it is not necessary in connection with
the public offering and sale of the Securities to register the Securities under
the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to qualify an indenture with
respect thereto under the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or to
register the Securities under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No.
25 of 1948, as amended).

     In rendering the foregoing opinion, I have, with your approval, assumed
that signatures on all documents examined by me are genuine.

                                             Sincerely yours,



                                            Daoud L. Khairallah
                                           Deputy General Counsel
                              Administration, Finance and Institutional Affairs

<PAGE>

                      INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION
                                 AND DEVELOPMENT

                                       and

                        FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                Supplement No. 65

                                       to

                             Fiscal Agency Agreement
                          dated as of November 30, 1983

                            Dated as of May 24, 1996

<PAGE>

     Supplement No. 65, dated as of May 24, 1996, to the Fiscal Agency
Agreement, dated as of November 30, 1983, between the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (hereinafter the "Bank") and the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York (hereinafter "Federal").

1.   Schedule A of the Fiscal Agency Agreement, dated as of November 30, 1983,
between the Bank and Federal, as heretofore amended, is hereby further amended
and supplemented by adding thereto the following:

     "6-3/8% U.S. Dollar Bonds of May 24, 1996, due May 24, 2001, of the Bank."

2.   Said Fiscal Agency Agreement, as so amended and supplemented, is hereby in
all respects ratified, confirmed and approved.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Bank and Federal by their duly authorized officers
have executed this Supplement No. 65 to the Fiscal Agency Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

                         INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION
                                        AND DEVELOPMENT

                         By:
                            -----------------------------------------------
                                           Hans M. Rothenbuhler
                                                Director
                                   Financial Operations Department

Attest:


- ----------------------------
       Shengman Zhang
Vice President and Secretary

                              FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK

                              By:
                                  -----------------------------------------

Attest:

___________________________



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