Fitch affirms Standard Chartered Bank, Sri Lanka Branch at ‘AAA’; Outlook Stable

Thursday, 23 April 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Fitch Ratings Lanka has affirmed Standard Chartered Bank, Sri Lanka Branch’s (SCBSL) National Long-Term Rating at ‘AAA(lka)’. The Outlook is Stable.

The affirmation reflects Fitch’s expectation of a high probability of support from parent Standard Chartered Bank (SCB: A+/Negative/a), if required, subject to any regulatory constraints on remitting money into Sri Lanka.

The assessment captures SCBSL’s status of being a branch of SCB and, as such, forming a part of the same legal entity. SCB’s Issuer Default Rating (IDR) is higher than Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Local- and Foreign-Currency IDRs of ‘B’/Negative and, as a result, SCBSL’s rating is at the highest end of the National Rating scale for Sri Lanka.

The high probability of support is underpinned by the alignment of SCBSL’s strategic objectives and its strong operational integration with SCB group. The small size of the branch, which accounts for around 0.1% of SCB’s total assets, implies that support, if needed, would not be material to the head office.

Fitch expects the coronavirus pandemic to weaken SCBSL’s asset quality, similar to their view on the banking sector. Its earnings will also come under pressure from lower business volume, higher loan impairment charges and pressure on net interest margins. Nonetheless, the extent of deterioration is likely to be manageable in light of the bank’s healthy underwriting standards and risk controls, which are in line with SCB group practices.

Furthermore, SCBSL’s common equity Tier 1 ratio of 15.6% at end-September 2019 is higher than the sector’s 13.2%, despite regular profit repatriation to its head office.

Factors that could, individually or collectively, lead to positive rating action/upgrade: There is no rating upside for the National Long-Term Rating as it is already at the highest point on the scale.

Factors that could, individually or collectively, lead to negative rating action/downgrade: A downgrade of SCBSL’s rating could result from SCB’s rating falling below Sri Lanka’s IDR, although Fitch sees that as highly unlikely in the near- to medium-term due to the gap between the ratings. Significant changes to Fitch’s expectation of support from SCB could also have a negative impact on the rating.

International scale credit ratings of Financial Institutions issuers have a best-case rating upgrade scenario (defined as the 99th percentile of rating transitions, measured in a positive direction) of three notches over a three-year rating horizon; and a worst-case rating downgrade scenario (defined as the 99th percentile of rating transitions, measured in a negative direction) of four notches over three years.

The complete span of best- and worst-case scenario credit ratings for all rating categories ranges from ‘AAA’ to ‘D’. Best- and worst-case scenario credit ratings are based on historical performance.