MOODY'S UPGRADES DEPOSIT AND DEBT RATINGS OF ITALY'S ANTONVENETA TO A1/P-1 FROM A3/P-2 FOLLOWING ACQUISITION BY ABN AMRO BANK NV
Antonveneta subsidiary Interbanca's deposit ratings upgraded to A2/P-1 from Baa1/P-2
London, 24 January 2006 -- Moody's Investors Service today upgraded to A1/Prime-1 from
A3/Prime-2 the long- and short-term deposit and debt
ratings of Banca Antoniana Popolare Veneta SpA ("Antonveneta").
At the same time the long- and short-term deposit and debt
ratings of Interbanca SpA, the medium- and long-term
lending and investment banking subsidiary of Antonveneta, were upgraded
to A2/Prime-1 from Baa1/Prime-2. The rating actions
conclude the reviews for possible upgrade initiated in October 2005.
Antonveneta's C and Interbanca's C- financial strength
ratings were affirmed. The outlook on all ratings is stable.
Moody's said that the rating actions follow the announcement by
Dutch bank ABN AMRO (rated Aa3/Prime-1, stable) on 2 January
that it has purchased 79.9 million shares in Antonveneta,
which, combined with its existing stake of 29.91%,
gives it a controlling share of 55.8% in the Italian bank.
The rating agency noted that in April 2005, when the possibility
of the acquisition was first announced, it had commented on the
potential rating implications but had taken no rating actions at that
time, given the then considerable uncertainty regarding the outcome
of the transaction.
Moody's explained that the upgrade of Antonveneta's senior
ratings, which brings the long-term ratings to one notch
below those of its new majority owner, reflects its view on the
likelihood of support from ABN AMRO. Although no detailed business
plan for Antonveneta has been published yet, Moody's believes
that it will retain its current brand name and that, in line with
its general approach with international subsidiaries, the Dutch
bank will grant Antonveneta's management strategic autonomy,
with integration limited to selected areas, such as funding and
compliance, in which material synergies can be readily exploited.
As part of a large international group the Italian bank is anticipated
to focus on its domestic market, while aiming to leverage ABN AMRO's
wide cross-border network to support its clients. According
to Moody's Antonveneta's relatively small size in terms of
total assets, which positions it seventh in its national market,
supports its view that it would likely be supported by ABN AMRO in case
of need.
The upgrade of Interbanca's senior ratings, with the long-term
ratings being raised to one notch below those of Antonveneta, reflects
the current scenario, with Interbanca remaining a direct subsidiary
of the Italian bank. Support for this entity in case of need would
be expected to come from its direct parent, Moody's said.
Moody's added that Antonveneta's long-term ratings
could in time face further upward pressure in the event that ABN AMRO
was upgraded and/or the Italian bank was more closely integrated with
its parent, with key functions being centralised at the latter.
Conversely any evidence that ABN AMRO would be unlikely to support its
Italian subsidiary -- a scenario that is not envisaged at present
-- could result in a downgrade of Antonveneta's ratings.
Likewise, Interbanca's long-term ratings could face
upward pressure in the event that its parent was upgraded and/or its level
of integration with its direct and/or indirect owner increased materially,
making it dependent on it for critical functions.
Upgrades:
..Issuer: Banca Antoniana Popolare Veneta S.p.A.
....Deposit Rating, Upgraded to P-1
from P-2
....Junior Subordinated Medium-Term
Note Program, Upgraded to A2 from Baa1
....Senior Subordinated Medium-Term
Note Program, Upgraded to A2 from Baa1
....Senior Unsecured Deposit Rating,
Upgraded to A1 from A3
....Senior Unsecured Medium-Term Note
Program, Upgraded to A1 from A3
....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture,
Upgraded to A1 from A3
....Subordinated Regular Bond/Debenture,
Upgraded to A2 from Baa1
..Issuer: Interbanca S.p.A
....Deposit Rating, Upgraded to P-1
from P-2
....Senior Unsecured Deposit Rating,
Upgraded to A2 from Baa1
....Senior Unsecured Medium-Term Note
Program, Upgraded to A2/P-1 from Baa1/P-2
....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture,
Upgraded to A2 from Baa1
....Subordinated Medium-Term Note Program,
Upgraded to A3 from Baa2
....Subordinated Regular Bond/Debenture,
Upgraded to A3 from Baa2
Outlook Actions:
..Issuer: Banca Antoniana Popolare Veneta S.p.A.
....Outlook, Changed To Stable From
Rating Under Review
..Issuer: Interbanca S.p.A
....Outlook, Changed To Stable From
Rating Under Review
Headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, ABN AMRO BANK N.V.
had assets of EUR856 billion as at 30 June 2005.
Headquartered in Padua, Italy, Antonveneta had total assets
of EUR43 billion as at 30 June 2005. Headquartered in Milan,
Italy, Interbanca had total assets of EUR8.5 billion as at
30 June 2005.
London
Antonio Carballo
Managing Director
Financial Institutions Group
Moody's Investors Service Ltd.
JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456
SUBSCRIBERS: 44 20 7772 5454
London
Paola Marchesini
Vice President - Senior Analyst
Financial Institutions Group
Moody's Investors Service Ltd.
JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456
SUBSCRIBERS: 44 20 7772 5454