The outlook on all three long-terms IDRs is stable, Fitch said in a statement published on its website on Wednesday.
The agency also said in the statement:
"RATING ACTION RATIONALE, DRIVERS AND SENSITIVITIES: IDR's, SUPPORT RATINGS
BCR's, BRD's and Garanti Romania's IDRs reflect the support they can expect to receive from their respective majority shareholders: Erste Group Bank AG ('A'/Stable/'a-'), Societe Generale (SG; 'A+'/Negative/'a-') and Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. (TGB; 'BBB-'/Stable/'bbb-'), respectively. Fitch considers that the subsidiaries are strategically important investments for their respective parents in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, despite the weak performance of the Romanian market during the past three years.
BCR's and BRD's IDRs are constrained by Romania's Country Ceiling, and the Stable Outlooks on the banks' IDRs reflect that on the sovereign. Any change in the Country Ceiling would likely result in a change in the banks' IDRs. Any marked reduction in the parent banks' commitment to the CEE region and to the Romanian market in particular (not Fitch's base case expectation at present) could also trigger a negative rating action.
Garanti Romania's IDRs are driven by the support that it can expect to receive from its ultimate shareholder TGB and are sensitive to any change in the IDRs of TGB. Fitch expects to review the ratings of TGB during the next few weeks following the recent upgrade of the Turkish sovereign. Garanti Romania's IDRs could be downgraded in case of a marked reduction in the strategic importance of the bank for the parent, but this is not currently anticipated by Fitch.
RATING ACTION RATIONALE, DRIVERS AND SENSITIVITIES: VIABILITY RATINGS
BCR is the largest bank in Romania in terms of asset market share. The Viability Rating reflects its strong franchise, solid efficiency and comfortable liquidity. At the same time, it reflects a continued weakening of asset quality, negative operating profitability due to high loan impairment charges, and reliance on its parent for funding. BCR's operating profitability suffered from rapidly rising loan impairment charges in 9M12 and 2011. Credit impairments are the biggest drag on profitability, and should peak in 2012, although large downside risks exist. Meanwhile, margins have suffered somewhat from competition and historically low interest rates. Efficiency is solid and benefits from economies of scale and sound cost controls.
The impaired loan ratio, as per IFRS accounts, increased to a high 25.8% at end-Q312, although loans overdue by 90 days in unconsolidated accounts (17.5% at end-H112) are moderately lower. Further increases in impaired loans are possible due to risks of an economic downturn and a further decline in real estate prices. The high share of foreign-currency loans could also amplify credit risk in case of sharp currency depreciation. The coverage ratio of impaired loans, not allowing for collateral, has improved in 9M12 but still remains low, with unreserved impaired loans equal to 92% of equity at end-H112. BCR is largely funded by customer deposits, which provide a comfortable funding and liquidity position in RON. However, the bank is dependent on its parent for euro-denominated funds (around 35% of non-equity liabilities). The regulatory capital ratio at 13.2% at end-Q312 was only moderate, in particular given weaknesses in asset quality and reserve coverage. Erste's commitment to support funding and capital provides some comfort. An expected capital increase of RON501m in December 2012 may contribute to a 100bp increase in the capital ratio in Fitch's view.
Downside risk for BCR's Viability Rating could arise from continued weakness in asset quality leading to further pressure on profitability and capitalisation. An upgrade is not likely in the medium term.
BRD is Romania's second-largest bank, with around 13% of total assets at end-H112. Fitch has not undertaken a full review of BRD, and has therefore not assigned a VR to the bank. However, the agency notes that most of BRD's key credit metrics have significantly deteriorated in 2011 and 9M12, reflecting the challenging market environment.
Garanti Romania has around 2% share of total assets and its Viability Rating reflects its small size, its limited franchise and short track record as a fully-fledged bank. It also reflects its better asset quality compared with the Romanian banking system in general. . Its reliance on funding from the parent remained high at 31% of non-equity liabilities at end-H112, in line with its foreign-owned peers. Capitalisation and growth of the bank is supported by the parent via cash capital injections, retained earnings and subordinated debt. Fitch Core Capital equalled 14.6% at end-H112.
The Viability Rating may be upgraded should Garanti achieve sustainable profitability and improve the diversification of funding and loan book, while maintaining adequate capitalisation and solid asset quality. Downside to the Viability Rating could stem from a marked deterioration in asset quality and profitability leading to erosion in capitalision which is considered unlikely by Fitch.
The rating actions are as follows:
Banca Comerciala Romana S.A.:
Long-term foreign currency IDR: affirmed at 'BBB+'; Outlook Stable
Short-term foreign currency IDR: affirmed at 'F2'
Long-term local currency IDR: affirmed at 'BBB+'; Outlook Stable
Support Rating: affirmed at '2'
Viability Rating: affirmed at 'bb-'
BRD-Groupe Societe Generale S.A.:
Long-term foreign currency IDR: affirmed at 'BBB+'; Outlook Stable
Short-term foreign currency IDR: affirmed at 'F2'
Support Rating: affirmed at '2'
Garanti Bank S.A.:
Long-term foreign currency IDR: affirmed at 'BB+'; Outlook Stable
Short-term foreign currency IDR: affirmed at 'B'
Support Rating: affirmed at '3'
Viability Rating: affirmed at 'b' "
