Fitch Changes Four Kazakhstani Banks' Outlooks to Positive

/Fitch Ratings-London/Moscow, December 22, 06/ - Fitch Ratings has today changed the rating Outlooks on four Kazakhstani banks (listed below) to Positive from Stable, following the change in Outlooks yesterday on Kazakhstan's 'BBB' foreign currency and 'BBB+' local currency Issuer Default Ratings ("IDRs") to Positive (see separate announcement on www.fitchratings.com). The Outlooks on the ratings of three other banks (also listed below) remain Stable. Development Bank of Kazakhstan ("DBK"): Outlooks changed to Positive from Stable on both the foreign currency 'BBB' and local currency 'BBB+' IDRs, which are affirmed. Other ratings affirmed at Short-term foreign currency 'F3', Short-term local currency 'F2' and Support '2'. Bank TuranAlem ("BTA"), Kazkommertsbank ("KKB"), Halyk Bank ("Halyk"): Outlooks changed to Positive from Stable on the banks' foreign currency BB+' IDRs, which are affirmed. Other ratings for each of the banks affirmed at local currency IDR 'BBB-' (BBB minus)/Stable, Short-term foreign currency 'B', Short-term local currency 'F3', Support '3' and Individual 'C/D'. Alliance Bank ("Alliance"), ATF Bank ("ATF"), Bank CenterCredit ("BCC"): Ratings affirmed at foreign currency IDRs 'BB-' (BB minus)/Stable Outlook, Short-term foreign currency 'B', Support '3' and Individual 'D'. The changes in Outlook on the ratings of the four banks reflect likely future improvements in the ability of the Kazakhstani authorities to provide support to them, as reflected in the change in Outlook on the sovereign ratings. [2006-12-22]