The standalone assessments of AIB, BOI, BOIUK, PTSB are upgraded and UBI DAC's affirmed
London, 04 December 2019 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") today upgraded the Baseline Credit
Assessments (BCAs) of Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.
(AIB), Bank of Ireland (BOI), Bank of Ireland (UK) plc (BOIUK)
and Permanent tsb p.l.c (PTSB) and affirmed the BCA of Ulster
Bank Ireland DAC (UBIDAC). The action reflects the strong operating
environment and significant further improvements in the credit profiles
of the Irish banks following material reduction in their legacy problem
loans, strengthened capital and stabilised funding profiles while
recognising ongoing margin pressures and weak demand for credit partly
due to Brexit-related uncertainties.
For BOIUK, PTSB and UBIDAC, the rating agency upgraded the
long-term deposit ratings and for AIB and BOI the deposit ratings
were affirmed. Furthermore, for AIB, PTSB and UBIDAC
the rating agency upgraded the long-term senior unsecured debt
or issuer ratings (where applicable) while affirming the long-term
senior unsecured ratings for BOI. The outlook remains stable on
the long-term deposit and senior unsecured debt ratings of BOI,
and has been changed to stable from positive on the long-term deposit
ratings of BOIUK and PTSB and on the long- term senior unsecured
debt ratings of PTSB and AIB. The outlook has been changed to positive
from stable on the long-term deposit ratings of AIB and remains
positive on the long-term deposit and issuer ratings of UBIDAC.
Also as part of this action, Moody's upgraded the long-term
senior unsecured debt ratings of AIB Group plc (AIB Group), Bank
of Ireland Group plc (BOI Group) and Permanent TSB Group Holdings plc
(PTSB Group), the holding companies of AIB, BOI and PTSB,
respectively. The outlook on the long-term debt ratings
of Bank of Ireland Group plc and Permanent TSB Group Holdings plc were
changed to stable from positive while the outlook on the long-term
debt rating of AIB Group plc remains positive.
A full list of affected ratings can be found at the end of this press
release.
RATINGS RATIONALE
The action reflects significant improvement in the solvency of the Irish
banks due to the supportive operating environment and material reduction
in their legacy impairments resulting from ongoing work-outs and
asset sales on a capital accretive or neutral basis. Moody's
expects further improvement in the risk profiles of all the Irish banks
and that they will maintain good buffers above regulatory requirements
despite plans to increase their earnings distribution to shareholders
over the next few years.
Irish banks' funding profiles have stabilised with deposits being
the primary funding source and now make little use of central bank funding.
All the rated Irish banks have now re-established a track record
of capital market access to support their future funding plans including
further issuance of bail-in-able debt from their holding
companies providing increased protection to senior unsecured creditors.
This will entail a rise in market funding from their current low levels.
Nevertheless, Moody's believes that the banks will face profitability
pressure due to sizable balances of low-yielding tracker mortgages,
weak demand for credit, increased use of more expensive debt,
and cost demands related to digitalisation, regulation and potential
fines. However, these factors will be partly offset by modest
new lending growth at higher margins and expense reduction initiatives.
Today's rating action also takes into account social risk considerations.
The Irish banks have incurred or are currently incurring substantial provisions
to compensate customers related to the Tracker Mortgage Examination Review
conducted by the Central Bank of Ireland. This sector-wide
review aims to compensate borrowers who could have received the benefit
of a lower mortgage rate by having their rate track the lower European
Central Bank benchmark interest rate.
Moody's does not have any particular governance concern for all the issuers
impacted by today's rating action. Moody's does not apply any corporate
behaviour adjustment to these banks and views their risk management frameworks
as consistent and commensurate with their risk appetite.
Additionally, the rating action reflects the results of Moody's
affiliate support assumptions, where applicable, and Moody's
Advanced Loss Given Failure (LGF) analysis. This takes into account
increased protection for senior creditors from the issuance of more junior
debt. Furthermore, Moody's incorporates an assumption
of the potential for a low or medium level of support from the Government
of Ireland (A2 stable) in the senior ratings of the banks' operating
companies, depending on Moody's view of their systemic importance.
For holding company instruments, which are meant to absorb losses
in resolution, Moody's believes that the potential for government
support is therefore low and hence these ratings do not include any related
uplift.
SPECIFIC ANALYTICAL FACTORS FOR THE AFFECTED BANKS
Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. (AIB)
The upgrade of the long-term senior unsecured debt ratings reflects
the upgrade of AIB's BCA and unchanged uplift under Moody's
Advanced LGF analysis. Moody's expectation of a moderate
probability of government support results in an additional notch of uplift
in AIB's senior unsecured debt ratings. AIB's long-term
deposit ratings, Counterparty Risk (CR) Ratings and CR Assessment
were affirmed since the government support assumption no longer results
in an additional notch uplift given they are positioned at the same level
as Irish Government's rating. The upgrade of EBS d.a.c's
(EBS) BCA and affirmation of deposit ratings follows that of AIB's
and reflects Moody's credit view of EBS's status as a Highly Integrated
and Harmonized (HIH) affiliate of AIB.
The upgrade of the BCA reflects AIB's (1) much improved asset risk
with problem to gross loans (PL) ratio at 7.3% as of H1
2019, down from 9.2% at end-2018; (2)
solid capitalisation and leverage, with Moody's tangible common
equity (TCE) to risk-weighted assets (RWA) and TCE to tangible
banking assets at 20.8% and 11.9% respectively;
(3) strong core profitability, with reported net income over tangible
assets (NI/TA) at 0.76% and a very strong net interest margin
(NIM) of 2.33%; and (4) its strong liquidity profile
with low market funding reliance. As of H1 2019, AIB had
provisioned €35 million for the potential cost of regulatory fines
over in relation to the Tracker Mortgage Review (TMR).
The positive outlook on AIB's long-term deposit ratings and AIB
Group's senior unsecured debt ratings reflects potential upside to the
BCA, due to further expected improvements in the bank's asset risk.
Furthermore, AIB's strong profitability and capital,
despite some expected decline, continue to provide a strong loss
absorption cushion. The outlook on AIB's senior unsecured
debt rating is stable since a notch upgrade of the BCA would likely be
offset by a loss of the current one notch uplift from government support,
as the rating is already in line with that of Ireland itself.
AIB's deposit and AIB Group's debt ratings could be upgraded as
a result of an upgrade in the bank's BCA; the long-term
debt could be upgraded as a result of a BCA upgrade and further increase
in the amount of the bank's bail-in-able debt. The
bank's BCA could be upgraded because of (1) a further reduction in NPLs
while preserving the strong capital base; (2) an improvement in stressed-capital
resilience; or (3) sustained improvement in its core profitability.
AIB's and AIB Group's ratings could be downgraded, although
unlikely given the positive outlook, as a result of a downgrade
in its standalone BCA; or (2) redemption of maturing subordinated
instruments without their replacement. AIB's BCA could be downgraded
because of (1) a significant deterioration in the bank's solvency or liquidity
profile.
Bank of Ireland (BOI)
The upgrade of BOI's subordinated, junior subordinated debt
and "low trigger" additional tier 1 (AT1) and all BOI Group's debt
ratings reflects the upgrade of BOI's BCA and unchanged uplift under
Moody's Advanced LGF analysis. The affirmation of BOI's
long-term deposits, senior unsecured debt and CR Ratings
and CR Assessments reflects the loss of government support uplift that
was incorporated in the ratings, given they are already the same
as that of Ireland itself, following the BCA upgrade.
The upgrade of the BCA reflects BOI's (1) much improved asset risk
with a 4.9% PL ratio as of H1 2019, down from 5.9%
at end-2018, and which the agency expects to improve further
to close to 3.5% by year-end 2019; (2) strong
capitalisation and leverage with Moody's TCE/RWA and TCE/TBA at
15.7% and 7.4% respectively; (3) moderate
core profitability with reported NI/TA at 0.36% and a NIM
of 1.78%; and (4) its sound funding and liquidity profile
with low market funding reliance. As of H1 2019, BOI had
provisioned €55 million towards potential costs of customer redress
and regulatory fines associated with the TMR.
The outlook on BOI's and BOI Group's ratings is stable reflecting
the agency's expectation that the bank will reduce legacy problem loans
further while maintaining its strong capitalisation and continue to report
moderate profitability, which remains structurally weaker,
due to a higher share of tracker mortgages, lower share of SMEs
and higher operational costs, than that of its main Irish peer.
BOI's debt and deposits and BOI Group's debt ratings could be upgraded
as a result of an upgrade in the bank's BCA. The bank's BCA
could be upgraded because of (1) a significant improvement in its core
profitability; and (2) an improvement in stressed-capital
resilience.
BOI's and BOI Group's ratings could be downgraded as a result of
a downgrade in its BCA; or (2) redemption of maturing subordinated
instruments without their replacement. BOI's BCA could be downgraded
because of a significant deterioration in the bank's solvency or liquidity
profile.
Bank of Ireland (UK) plc (BOIUK)
The upgrade of the long-term ratings and assessments reflects the
upgrade of BOIUK's BCA and unchanged uplift under Moody's
Advanced LGF analysis. Moody's expectation of a low probability
of government support results in no additional notch of uplift in the
ratings.
The upgrade of the BCA reflects the upgrade of its parent's (BOI's)
BCA, as the weaker credit fundamentals of BOI previously acted as
a constraint on BOIUK's own BCA. The BCA of BOIUK is one
notch higher than that of its parent BOI, given the subsidiary's
stronger credit fundamentals, but limited by the operational interlinkages
between BOI and BOIUK. BOIUK's BCA is supported by its (1)
strong asset risk with low volatility, with a 1.8%
PL ratio as of end-2018; (2) strong capital position with
Moody's TCE/RWA at 15.6%; (3) stable profit generation
with reported NI/TA at 0.57%; and (4) a solid domestic
retail deposit funding profile. Additionally, BOIUK's
BCA reflects its monoline business model which elevates its earnings sensitivity
to a stress primarily in the UK residential mortgage market.
The outlook on BOIUK's deposit ratings is stable, reflecting
the agency's expectation that despite a weakening operating environment
in the UK, BOIUK will maintain a steady performance due to a relatively
low risk loan book and stable and granular deposit funding base.
BOIUK's debt and deposits could be upgraded as a result of a significant
increase in the bank's bail-in-able debt or an upgrade in
the BCAs of both BOIUK and its parent. The bank's BCA could be
upgraded because of a significant improvement in (1) its loan book diversification;
or in (2) its solvency, in particular capital and core profitability.
BOIUK's ratings could be downgraded as a result of a downgrade in its
or BOI's standalone BCA.
Permanent tsb p.l.c. (PTSB)
The upgrade of all long-term deposit and debt ratings of PTSB and
PTSB Group -- where applicable - reflects (1) the upgrade
of PTSB's BCA; and (2) unchanged uplift for PTSB's Junior
Subordinate MTN, Subordinate MTN and all of PTSB Group's ratings
and the one notch increase in the uplift to two notches for PTSB's
deposits and senior unsecured debt ratings, under Moody's
Advanced LGF analysis. Moody's revised its expectation in
relation to the probability of government support for PTSB, to low
from moderate, resulting in no additional notch of uplift in its
ratings. The lower assumption of government support reflects the
bank's much-improved performance, completion of the
European Commission restructuring plan in 2018, the successful inaugural
MREL bond issuance in September 2019, and the bank's reduced
systemic importance. The long-term CR Ratings and CR Assessment
were affirmed, since the one notch upgrade of the BCA was offset
by the removal of government support uplift.
The upgrade of the BCA reflects (1) much improved asset risk, reflected
in the PL ratio of 7.2% following the recent €506 million
problem loan sale, versus 10% reported as of H1 2019,
but also constrained by the 16% stock of negative equity mortgages
reported as of year-end 2018; (2) strong capitalisation,
with Moody's TCE/RWA and TCE/TBA at 15.9% and 8.4%,
respectively; (3) the bank's structurally weak core profitability
given its focus on the Irish mortgage market with reported NI/TA at 0.21%
and a moderate net interest margin (NIM) of 1.69% as of
H1 2019; and (4) its strong funding and liquidity profile with low
market funding reliance. Additionally, PTSB's BCA reflects
its monoline business model which elevates its earnings sensitivity to
a stress in Ireland's residential mortgage market. As of H1 2019,
PTSB paid a €21 million fine in relation to the outcome of the tracker
mortgage review.
The outlook on PTSB's and PTSB Group's ratings is stable reflecting
the agency's expectation that the bank will reduce legacy problem loan
further while maintaining its strong capitalisation but continue to report
low profitability due to the limited diversification of the loan book.
PTSB's and PTSB Group's debt ratings could be upgraded as a result
of an upgrade in its standalone BCA and further increase in the bank's
bail-in-able debt. The bank's BCA could be upgraded
because of a significant improvement in its stressed-capital resilience,
in particular a further improvement in core profitability and reduction
in asset risk.
PTSB's and PTSB Group's ratings could be downgraded as a result
of a downgrade in the BCA; or (2) redemption of maturing subordinated
instruments without their replacement. PTSB's BCA could be downgraded
because of a significant deterioration in the bank's solvency or liquidity
profile.
Ulster Bank Ireland DAC (UBIDAC)
The upgrade of UBIDAC's long-term deposits and issuer ratings
reflects the (1) affirmation of UBIDAC's BCA; and (2) higher
loss absorption provided by the substantial volume of deposits,
which has proven to be a stable source of funding, leading to a
one-notch increase in the uplift (to two notches) under Moody's
Advanced LGF analysis. The CR Ratings and CR Assessment were affirmed,
since they already benefit from the maximum three notches per Moody's
Advanced LGF analysis.
UBIDAC's ratings additionally benefit from an unchanged two-notches
of uplift under Moody's assessment of a very high probability of affiliate
support to UBIDAC from its UK ring-fenced sister companies National
Westminster Bank Plc (A1 positive, baa1) and The Royal Bank of Scotland
plc (RBS, A1 positive, baa1). Moody's expectation
of a low probability of government support results in no additional notch
of uplift in the ratings.
The affirmation of UBIDAC's BCA reflects (1) a declining but still
elevated PL ratio, which the agency projects all things being equal
will reduce to around 8.5% following the sale of €800
million of problem loans in first half of 2020, versus 11.3%
reported as of year-end 2018; (2) weak profitability prone
to volatility due to the bank's evolving strategy and restructuring
with reported NI/TA at 0.29%, and the possibility
of conduct charges relating to TMR, for which the bank has not yet
provisioned; and (3) very strong capitalisation with Moody's
TCE/RWA and TCE/TBA at 30.2% and 16.6%,
respectively. UBIDAC has a strong funding and liquidity profile
with low market funding reliance.
UBIDAC's long-term deposits and issuer ratings carry a positive
outlook, reflecting the potential for a higher BCA due to expected
improvement in bank's asset risk and operational efficiency as well
as the positive outlook on UBIDAC's UK ring-fenced sister companies.
UBIDAC's ratings could be upgraded as a result of an upgrade in its or
UK ring-fenced sister companies' standalone BCAs or a further
increase in the bank's bail-in-able liabilities.
The bank's BCA could be upgraded because of (1) a sustained improvement
in its core profitability; or (2) a further reduction in NPLs while
preserving a strong capital base.
UBIDAC's ratings could be downgraded, although unlikely given
the positive outlook, as a result of a downgrade in its or its UK
ring-fenced sister companies' BCAs or a decrease in the bank's
bail-in-able liabilities. UBIDAC's BCA could be downgraded
because of a significant deterioration in the bank's solvency or liquidity
profile.
LIST OF AFFECTED RATINGS
Issuer: AIB Group plc
..Upgrades:
....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture,
upgraded to Baa2 from Baa3, outlook remains Positive
....Senior Unsecured Medium-Term Note
Program, upgraded to (P)Baa2 from (P)Baa3
....Subordinate Regular Bond/Debenture,
upgraded to Baa3 from Ba1
....Subordinate Medium-Term Note Program,
upgraded to (P)Baa3 from (P)Ba1
....Preferred Stock Non-cumulative,
upgraded to Ba2(hyb) from Ba3(hyb)
..Outlook Action:
....Outlook remains Positive
Issuer: Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.
..Upgrades:
....Baseline Credit Assessment, upgraded
to baa2 from baa3
....Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment,
upgraded to baa2 from baa3
....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture,
upgraded to A2 from A3, outlook changed to Stable from Positive
....Senior Unsecured Medium-Term Note
Program, upgraded to (P)A2 from (P)A3
....Subordinate Regular Bond/Debenture,
upgraded to Baa3 from Ba1
....Subordinate Medium-Term Note Program,
upgraded to (P)Baa3 from (P)Ba1
....Junior Subordinate Medium-Term
Note Program, upgraded to (P)Ba1 from (P)Ba2
....Preferred Stock Non-cumulative,
upgraded to Ba2(hyb) from Ba3(hyb)
....Other Short Term, upgraded to (P)P-1
from (P)P-2
..Affirmations:
....Long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings,
affirmed A2
....Short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings,
affirmed P-1
....Long-term Bank Deposits,
affirmed A2, outlook changed to Positive from Stable
....Short-term Bank Deposits,
affirmed P-1
....Long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment,
affirmed A2(cr)
....Short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment,
affirmed P-1(cr)
..Outlook Action:
....Outlook changed to Stable(m) from Positive(m)
Issuer: EBS d.a.c.
..Upgrades:
....Baseline Credit Assessment, upgraded
to baa2 from baa3
....Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment,
upgraded to baa2 from baa3
..Affirmations:
....Long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings,
affirmed A2
....Short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings,
affirmed P-1
....Long-term Bank Deposits,
affirmed A2, outlook changed to Positive from Stable
....Short-term Bank Deposits,
affirmed P-1
....Long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment,
affirmed A2(cr)
....Short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment,
affirmed P-1(cr)
..Outlook Action:
....Outlook changed to Positive from Stable
Issuer: Bank of Ireland Group plc
..Upgrades:
....Long-term Issuer Ratings,
upgraded to Baa2 from Baa3, outlook changed to Stable from Positive
....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture,
upgraded to Baa2 from Baa3, outlook changed to Stable from Positive
....Senior Unsecured Medium-Term Note
Program, upgraded to (P)Baa2 from (P)Baa3
....Subordinate Regular Bond/Debenture,
upgraded to Baa3 from Ba1
....Subordinate Medium-Term Note Program,
upgraded to (P)Baa3 from (P)Ba1
..Outlook Action:
....Outlook changed to Stable from Positive
Issuer: Bank of Ireland
..Upgrades:
....Baseline Credit Assessment, upgraded
to baa2 from baa3
....Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment,
upgraded to baa2 from baa3
....Subordinate Regular Bond/Debenture,
upgraded to Baa3 from Ba1
....Subordinate Medium-Term Note Program,
upgraded to (P)Baa3 from (P)Ba1
....Junior Subordinated Regular Bond/Debenture,
upgraded to Ba1(hyb) from Ba2(hyb)
....Preferred Stock, upgraded to Ba2(hyb)
from Ba3(hyb)
....Preferred Stock Non-cumulative,
upgraded to Ba2(hyb) from Ba3(hyb)
..Affirmations:
....Long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings,
affirmed A2
....Short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings,
affirmed P-1
....Long-term Bank Deposits,
affirmed A2, outlook remains Stable
....Short-term Bank Deposits,
affirmed P-1
....Short-term Deposit Note/CD Program,
affirmed P-1
....Long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment,
affirmed A2(cr)
....Short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment,
affirmed P-1(cr)
....Long-term Issuer Rating,
affirmed A2, outlook remains Stable
....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture,
affirmed A2, outlook remains Stable
....Senior Unsecured Medium-Term Note
Program, affirmed (P)A2
....Commercial Paper, affirmed P-1
....Other Short Term, affirmed (P)P-1
..Outlook Action:
....Outlook remains Stable
Issuer: Bank of Ireland (UK) plc
..Upgrades:
....Long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings,
upgraded to A2 from A3
....Short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings,
upgraded to P-1 from P-2
....Long-term Bank Deposits,
upgraded to Baa1 from Baa2, outlook changed to Stable from Positive
....Long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment,
upgraded to A1(cr) from A2(cr)
....Baseline Credit Assessment, upgraded
to baa1 from baa2
....Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment,
upgraded to baa1 from baa2
..Affirmations:
....Short-term Bank Deposits,
affirmed P-2
....Short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment,
affirmed P-1(cr)
..Outlook Action:
....Outlook changed to Stable from Positive
Issuer: Permanent TSB Group Holdings plc
..Upgrades:
....Long-term Issuer Rating,
upgraded to Ba1 from Ba3, outlook changed to Stable from Positive
....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture,
upgraded to Ba1 from Ba3, outlook changed to Stable from Positive
....Senior Unsecured Medium-Term Note
Program, upgraded to (P)Ba1 from (P)Ba3
..Affirmation:
....Other Short Term, affirmed (P)NP
..Outlook Action:
....Outlook changed to Stable from Positive
Issuer: Permanent tsb p.l.c.
..Upgrades:
....Long-term Bank Deposits,
upgraded to Baa2 from Baa3, outlook changed to Stable from Positive
....Short-term Bank Deposits,
upgraded to P-2 from P-3
....Baseline Credit Assessment, upgraded
to ba1 from ba2
....Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment,
upgraded to ba1 from ba2
....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture,
upgraded to Baa2 from Baa3, outlook changed to Stable from Positive
....Senior Unsecured Medium-Term Note
Program, upgraded to (P)Baa2 from (P)Baa3
....Subordinate Medium-Term Note Program,
upgraded to (P)Ba2 from (P)Ba3
....Junior Subordinate Medium-Term
Note Program, upgraded to (P)Ba3 from (P)B1
....Other Short Term, upgraded to (P)P-2
from (P)P-3
..Affirmations:
....Long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings,
affirmed Baa1
....Long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment,
affirmed Baa1(cr)
....Short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings,
affirmed P-2
....Short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment,
affirmed P-2(cr)
..Outlook Action:
....Outlook changed to Stable from Positive
Issuer: Ulster Bank Ireland DAC
..Upgrades:
....Long-term Bank Deposits,
upgraded to A3 from Baa1, outlook remains Positive
....Long-term Issuer Rating,
upgraded to Baa1 from Baa2, outlook remains Positive
..Affirmations:
....Long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings,
affirmed A2
....Short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings,
affirmed P-1
....Short-term Bank Deposits,
affirmed P-2
....Long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment,
affirmed A2(cr)
....Short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment,
affirmed P-1(cr)
....Short-term Issuer Rating,
affirmed P-2
....Baseline Credit Assessment, affirmed
ba1
....Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment,
affirmed baa2
..Outlook Action:
....Outlook remains Positive
PRINCIPAL METHODOLOGY
The principal methodology used in these ratings was Banks Methodology
published in November 2019. Please see the Rating Methodologies
page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of
debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures
in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the
same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant
to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing
ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings
issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain
regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the
support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action
for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's
credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement
provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional
rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may
be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each
case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior
to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have
affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings
tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.
For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit
support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action,
and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action,
the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity.
Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures,
if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure
to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.
Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit
rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating
review.
Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to
the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued
the rating.
Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com
for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.
Arif Bekiroglu
VP-Senior Analyst
Financial Institutions Group
Moody's Investors Service Ltd.
One Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London E14 5FA
United Kingdom
JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456
Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454
Nicholas Hill
MD - Banking
Financial Institutions Group
JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456
Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454
Releasing Office:
Moody's Investors Service Ltd.
One Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London E14 5FA
United Kingdom
JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456
Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454
