PACRA assigns preliminary debt instrument ratings to Bank Al Habib Ltd

November 09, 2018 (MLN): Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited (PACRA) has assigned preliminary debt instrument ratings to Bank Al Habib Limited Tier - II TFC (TFC VII) at ‘AA’ for long-term, with a stable outlook forecast.

According to the rating agency, the rating reflects the bank's sustained performance, exceptional asset quality, satisfactory financial profile and healthy liquidity.

The bank has solidified its relative positioning in the universe of large sized banks by improving its market share in terms of deposit base and advances book.

The strength of the bank is reflected in the high proportion of retail deposits in the total. Hence, concentration is low and risk is reduced.

Trade finance is the bank's hallmark, yet the bank is building alternative revenue streams, while exploring opportunities in CPEC related projects.

As per the rating agency, the rating draws comfort from the bank's experienced management team, prudent risk management policies and deep rooted relationship with clients - borrowers as well as depositors.

Furthermore, the bank has issued additional Tier-I instrument and now is in the process of issuing another Tier-II instrument, augmenting the bank's CAR and providing room for growth. The bank's CET-I stands at 8.57% as at end-Jun18 (end-Dec17: 9.3%).

The rating is dependent on the bank's sustained risk profile.

The equity base of the bank and CAR are satisfactory and may continually be enhanced in view of the expected growth in loans.

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