S&P повысило рейтинги банка ТуранАлем (Казахстан)

/REUTERS, Нью-Йорк, 11.04.03/ - Международное рейтинговое агентство Standard & Poor's сообщило в пятницу о повышении до "ВВ-" с "В+" долгосрочных рейтингов контрагента и депозитных сертификатов банка ТуранАлем (БТА) - второго по величине банка Казахстана. Прогноз изменения рейтинга - "стабильный". "Изменение рейтинга отражает улучшение экономического климата в Республике Казахстан (рейтинг в местной валюте ВВ+/позитивный/В; в иностранной валюте BB/позитивный/B), улучшение ситуации с основной прибылью БТА и низкими темпами роста заимствований в 2002 году", - отметил аналитик Группы финансовых услуг Standard & Poor's Магар Куюмджан. В то же время Standard & Poor's подтвердило краткосрочные рейтинги контрагента и депозитарных сертификатов на уровне "B". Ниже следует полный текст сообщения агентства на английском языке. NEW YORK, April 11 - Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said today it raised its long-term counterparty credit and certificate of deposit ratings on Kazakhstan- based Bank TuranAlem (BTA) to 'BB-' from 'B+'. The outlook is stable. "The rating action reflects the improved economic environment in the Republic of Kazakhstan (local currency BB+/Positive/B; foreign currency BB/Positive/B), improvements in BTA's core earnings, and the bank's lower loan growth in 2002," said Standard & Poor's credit analyst Magar Kouyoumdjian. At the same time, Standard & Poor's affirmed its 'B' short-term counterparty credit and certificate of deposit ratings on BTA. "The rating action also reflects the increased involvement of BTA's new owners-- which include Raiffeisen Zentralbank Oesterreich (--/--/A-1) and the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (AAA/Stable/A-1+)--as their presence should help improve BTA's corporate governance, systems, funding, and capitalization," added Mr. Kouyoumdjian. BTA's rapid loan growth diminished in 2002, although the fast growth in recent years leaves the bank relatively vulnerable to an economic downturn. BTA's relatively good credit evaluation procedures and low level of nonperforming loans mitigate the risk to some degree. Excluding Kazkommertsbank (JSC) (BB- /Stable/B), BTA's profitability has been the highest among its Kazakh peers since its establishment in 1997. Core earnings were strong in 2002 and were further enhanced by extraordinary trading gains. The earnings outlook is good due to increased business volumes and fee-generating products and services. "BTA's relatively strong financials and good infrastructure and systems place the bank in a good position to take advantage of the current positive economic trends and to mature with the market," said Mr. Kouyoumdjian. The bank is adapting to the changing nature of Kazakhstan's banking market, currently characterized by shrinking margins and smaller foreign exchange gains, through product and revenue diversification. Standard & Poor's views the slower loan growth in 2002 favorably, although still remains cautious about the fragile system, the bank's short track record, and its fairly weak core capital. [2003-04-14]