Fitch подтвердило рейтинги банка Центркредит (Казахстан)

/REUTERS, Москва, 01.09.05/ - Международное рейтинговое агентство Fitch Ratings подтвердило в четверг рейтинги казахстанского банка Центркредит: - долгосрочный на уровне "В+"; - краткосрочный на уровне "В"; - индивидуальный на уровне "D"; - поддержки на уровне "4". Прогноз изменения рейтингов - стабильный, говорится в сообщении агентства. Центркредит является пятым по величине банком Казахстана, концентрирующимся в основном на обслуживании мелкого и среднего бизнеса, а также розничных клиентов. Ниже приводится оригинальный текст сообщения агентства Fitch Ratings на английском языке. Fitch Ratings-Moscow-01 September 2005: Fitch Ratings, the international rating agency, has today affirmed Kazakhstan-based Bank CenterCredit's ("BCC") ratings at Long-term 'B+', Short-term 'B', Individual rating 'D' and Support '4'. The Outlook is Stable. BCC's Long-term, Short-term and Individual ratings reflect the relatively high concentration in the bank's loan book and its modest capitalisation, as well as certain weaknesses in the operating environment. However, the ratings also consider the bank's strong profitability, relatively well-diversified funding base and good asset quality to date. In addition, the Long-term, Short-term and Support ratings are underpinned by Fitch's view of the likelihood of state support being available for the bank in case of need. Capitalisation is modest, in Fitch's view, as equity injections have tended to lag behind the bank's rapid asset growth and the regulatory capital ratio has at times during 2005 been close to the minimum 12% level. The loan book is significantly concentrated and loan loss reserve coverage is somewhat modest, although asset quality is currently good. Performance should remain reasonable in the future, despite further falls in the net interest margin, due to increased economies of scale and the development of non-interest revenue streams. Ongoing international borrowings, in particular a three-year USD200 million eurobond issue in February 2005, are improving the tenor and diversification of the funding base. Upward pressure on BCC's Individual and Long-Term ratings could result from further growth in the bank's franchise, supported by adequate capital increases and sound asset quality. Downside risk for BCC's Individual rating could result from a significant fall in capitalisation or marked deterioration of asset quality. However, the Long-term rating, as noted above, is currently at its support floor and would only be exposed to downside risk if both the stand-alone financial strength of the bank deteriorated and, in Fitch's view, the probability of support for the bank from the Kazakhstani authorities decreased (the latter due to either a downgrade of the sovereign's 'BBB-' (BBB minus) Long-term Foreign Currency rating or a perceived reduced propensity of the Kazakhstanti authorities to provide support). BCC is the fifth-largest bank in Kazakhstan, focusing primarily on SMEs and retail customers, with a market share of 6.7% of assets at end-H105. BCC has a countrywide network of branches, and also owns asset management, leasing and pension fund subsidiaries. [2005-09-01]