(1) Lenders of loans from international financial institutions are specific international financial institutions, and their borrowers are usually restricted by specific scope. For example, the borrowers of World Bank loans are limited to the governments of IMF member countries, government agencies and public and private enterprises guaranteed by their government agencies, the borrowers of International Development Association loans are limited to the parties developing projects in poor developing countries, the borrowers of Asian Bank loans are limited to the investors developing projects in their own regions, and the borrowers of Inter-American Development Bank loans are limited to the parties of their member countries, and they must be "unable to obtain financing from private sources under reasonable conditions" and so on.

(2) Loans from international financial institutions mainly come from shares and donations paid by member countries and capital market financing. The purpose of capital lending usually includes encouraging member countries to engage in development projects and assisting the economic development of developing countries, especially poor countries, which is not exactly the same as commercial loans for profit.

(3) The loan terms of international financial institutions are usually more favorable, the interest rate is generally lower than that of commercial bank loans, and the preferential loan interest rate can be lower than 3% or even interest-free; Surcharge usually includes commitment fee and handling fee. Although the loans of international financial institutions are not completely equivalent to "soft loans" between governments, the overall preferential conditions of loans are often no less than those of government loans.

(4) Loans from international financial institutions are usually medium and long-term loans with a long term. The loan term is generally 10 to 30 years (up to 50 years), and the grace period is mostly about 5 years.

Most loans from international financial institutions are development loans, which are mainly used for economic recovery or development projects, while non-project loans are usually used for support purposes, which is also very different from commercial bank loans.

Loans from international financial institutions often have strict restrictions on the use of loans. Not only does the loan agreement require the borrower to strictly abide by the purpose and terms of the loan, but the lender usually strictly supervises and checks the borrower's use of funds.