Fitch downgrades ATFBank (Kazakhstan) ratings, Outlook "Stable"

/Fitch Ratings, London, May 8, 13, Fitch Ratings English translation, KASE headline/ – Fitch Ratings has downgraded ATF Bank JSC's Long-term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) to 'B-' from 'BBB-'. The Outlook is Stable. A full list of rating actions is at the end of this commentary. KEY RATING DRIVERS The downgrade reflects the removal from the ratings of potential support from UniCredit S.p.A. ('BBB+'/Negative) following ATF's announcement on 2 May 2013 that UniCredit had completed the sale of the bank to KazNitrogenGaz LLP (not rated). KazNitrogenGaz is a Kazakh-domiciled holding company, fully owned by local businessman Galimzhan Esenov, and also holds majority stakes in two small Kazakh insurance companies. After the removal of support from UniCredit, ATF's Long-term IDRs are aligned with its Viability Rating (VR). The ratings reflect the bank's weak asset quality and negative profitability during the past four years, as well as some uncertainty regarding the bank's strategy following the change of ownership and the extent of any leverage taken on by the new shareholder as a result of the acquisition. At the same time, the ratings are supported by ATF's currently comfortable liquidity and an expected improvement in performance (see "Fitch Affirms ATF Bank's Viability Rating at 'b-', Other Ratings Unaffected" dated 18 April 2013 at www.fitchratings.com). RATING SENSITIVITIES ATF's ratings could be upgraded if the bank improves asset quality metrics and performance, related party lending remains moderate following the acquisition and shareholder leverage in Fitch's view does not represent a significant contingent risk for the bank. A weakening of asset quality and loss absorption capacity or increase in related party exposures/shareholder risks could result in downward pressure on the ratings. The rating actions are as follows: Long-term foreign and local currency IDRs: downgraded to 'B-' from 'BBB-', Outlook Stable, removed from Rating Watch Negative (RWN); Short-term foreign currency IDR: downgraded to 'B' from 'F3', removed from RWN National Long-term Rating: downgraded to 'BB-(kaz)' from 'AA(kaz)', Outlook Stable, removed from RWN Viability Rating: affirmed at 'b-' Support Rating: downgraded to '5' from '2', removed from RWN Support Rating Floor: assigned at 'No Floor' Senior unsecured debt downgraded to 'B-' from 'BBB-', removed from RWN, Recovery Rating assigned at 'RR4' National senior unsecured debt rating downgraded to 'BB-(kaz)' from 'AA(kaz)', removed from RWN Subordinated debt downgraded to 'CCC' from 'BB+', removed from RWN, Recovery Rating assigned at 'RR5' National subordinated debt rating downgraded to 'B(kaz)' from 'AA-(kaz)', removed from RWN Perpetual subordinated notes downgraded to 'CC' from 'B+', removed from RWN, Recovery Rating assigned at 'RR6' Primary Analyst, Aslan Tavitov, Associate Director +7 495 956 7065 Secondary Analyst, Dmitri Abramov, Director +7 495 956 2409 Committee Chairman, Alexander Danilov, Senior Director +7 495 956 2408 Media relations: Yulia Belskaya Von Tell, Moscow, tel.: + 7 495 956 9908/9901, julia.belskayavontell@fitchratings.com [2013-05-13]