Short-term ratings downgraded to Prime-2
Paris, August 28, 2012 -- Moody's Investors Service has today downgraded the long-
and short-term debt and deposit ratings of Caisse Centrale du Crédit
Immobilier de France (3CIF) - the rated funding entity of Crédit
Immobilier de France group (CIF; unrated) - to Baa1 and Prime-2
from A1 and Prime-1, respectively. The rating agency
is maintaining its review on these ratings, now with direction uncertain.
While the Baa1 long-term ratings continue to incorporate nine notches
of systemic support (from 12 notches previously), the downgrade
is based on Moody's assessment of a rising probability of a run-off
scenario for the CIF banking group, and associated transition risks
for creditors. This reflects the hurdles in arriving at a long-term
solution to the group's structural funding challenges. At
the same time, the rating agency considers that the French authorities
are keen on addressing the current situation shortly, which may
result in CIF being acquired by a long-term investor. The
continuing review on all of 3CIF's ratings with direction uncertain
reflects the current uncertainty about the future of the bank.
RATINGS RATIONALE
Moody's decision to downgrade 3CIF's long- and short-term
debt and deposit ratings to Baa1 and P-2 from A1 and P-1,
respectively, is based on the rating agency's assessment that
the probability of a run-off scenario has increased. However,
Moody's still believes that the French public sector will orchestrate
an orderly resolution for CIF, in the absence of a strategic transaction.
Our view is that a run-off scenario would involve financial support
being provided to the bank by the French authorities. This view
is reflected in the incorporation of nine notches of systemic support
in 3CIF's long-term ratings.
In the short term, as CIF has no longer access to the capital markets,
the repayment of debt maturing in early October, notably a €1.75
billion covered bond issue (source: CIF Euromortgage's annual
accounts 2011), will probably require liquidity assistance from
the central bank absent a long-term solution.
Against this background, CIF started a sale process in June 2012.
State-owned La Banque Postale (LBP, unrated) has publicly
declared that it would consider CIF in the context of its own development
plans. At present and to Moody's knowledge, LBP or
any other investors have not made any offer to CIF. Although Moody's
views LBP's decision as likely to be significantly influenced by
the position of the French authorities, the rating agency notes
that LBP's management is currently focusing on a number of important
projects, among which its involvement in the financing of the French
public sector in the context of Dexia Crédit Local's restructuring
(Baa2, negative; E/caa1, stable).
A run-off scenario is probably not the preferred solution of the
French authorities due to the importance of the bank's lending activities
to the French housing market, especially in assisting less privileged
households. Nevertheless in the absence of visibility on LBP's
decision and of a rapid resolution, and despite the high likelihood
of a transaction materializing eventually, in Moody's opinion,
the probability of a run-off of CIF's businesses or other
solutions has increased. Those scenarios may involve asset-liability
mismatches that could require funding from state-guaranteed debt
issuance and/or central bank assistance over a sustained period of time.
Today's rating actions reflect the increased likelihood of such
scenarios, which Moody's believes could potentially be less
favorable for creditors than an acquisition by a strong strategic partner.
These considerations are reflected in the rating agency's decision to
continue its review, now with direction uncertain, on 3CIF's
debt and deposit ratings.
WHAT COULD CHANGE THE RATINGS UP / DOWN
Moody's could upgrade 3CIF's standalone BFSR and debt and deposit ratings
in the event of a material and sustained improvement in funding conditions
for the group, most likely stemming from a strategic transaction
involving a business partner of strong credit standing.
Conversely, Moody's could downgrade 3CIF's debt and deposit ratings
in the absence of an improvement in the bank's financing prospects or
of a rapid materialisation of external support, or if a run-off
of the bank's businesses orchestrated by the French authorities
is detrimental to creditors.
PRINCIPAL METHODOLOGIES
The methodologies used in these ratings were Moody's Consolidated
Global Bank Rating Methodology published in June 2012. Please see
the Credit Policy page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this
methodology.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For ratings issued on a program, series or category/class of debt,
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Guillaume Lucien-Baugas
Analyst
Financial Institutions Group
Moody's France SAS
96 Boulevard Haussmann
Paris 75008
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Carola Schuler
MD - Banking
Financial Institutions Group
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Moody's downgrades 3CIF's debt and deposit ratings to Baa1; maintains review with direction uncertain