Fitch Ratings has affirmed Banco Nacional de Costa Rica's (BNCR) Issuer
Default Rating (IDR) at 'BB+' and Viability Rating (VR) at 'bb+'. A
complete list of rating actions follows at the end of this press release.
BNCR's IDRs are driven by the explicit sovereign guarantees for all its
liabilities. This benefit, conferred on it by the Ley Organica del
Sistema Bancario Nacional (National Banking System Law), allows BNCR's
IDRs to be aligned to Costa Rica's sovereign ratings. In turn, BNCR's VR
reflects the bank's strong franchise, ample funding, sound liquidity,
and adequate capital ratios, while also factoring in weak loan portfolio
quality, low loan loss reserves, and below average efficiency relative
to international peers, though in line with the Costa Rican banking
system.
The Outlook on the long-term rating remains Stable. As the bank's main
shareholder is the Costa Rican government, changes in the IDRs are
contingent on sovereign rating actions. While upgrades in the bank's VR
are unlikely in the foreseeable future, a material deviation of the
bank's asset quality from Fitch's base case scenario could trigger a
downgrade in BNCR's VR.
BNCR's loan growth decelerated in 2012 and is below the market average.
Asset quality indicators are weaker than those of international peers
(emerging market commercial banks with a Viability Rating in the 'bb'
category) and compare unfavorably with those of the Costa Rican banking
system. As of 1H'12, past due loans accounted for 3.17% of total loans
and reserves coverage declined a historic low of 53%, despite the high
loan loss provision expense and the significant amount of charge-offs
and foreclosed assets observed over the past few years after the crisis,
especially in the real estate and tourism sectors. In Fitch's base case
scenario loan loss provisions will continue curbing the bank's profits
but credit quality indicators should stabilize. However, deterioration
of specific credits in high risk segments is not ruled out, as the
performance of some credits in these sectors is still uncertain.
Although the bank's operating profit to average total assets ratio
improved, it is still below the market average due to high operating
expenses and provisions. At the same time, the ROAA and ROAE ratios at
1Q'12 compared favorably with peers and have exceeded those reported at
YE2008, reflecting a tax provision reversal registered during the first
semester. Fitch expects these ratios to decline as YE12 net profits will
be sensitive to the amount of foreclosures and loan loss provisions
expenses registered during the year.
BNCR maintains adequate and stable capital ratios. In Fitch's opinion,
capital levels are crucial for the bank's strategy and target capital
adequacy, especially considering the bank's low reserves coverage. In
the event of an increase in expenses or compulsory contributions, Fitch
would expect asset growth to slow down or capital ratios to decrease
slightly.
BNCR's dominant market position reflects both its broad geographic
penetration and its solid deposit base. At 1Q'12, the bank held a market
share of 30.5% of total deposits and 26.5% of loans, and was the largest
bank in the country and the largest state-owned bank in Central America.
Fitch has affirmed BNCR's ratings as follows:
--Long-term IDR at 'BB+'; Outlook Stable;
--Short-term IDR at 'B';
--Long-term local currency IDR at 'BB+'; Outlook Stable;
--Short-term local currency IDR at 'B';
--Viability Rating at 'bb+';
--Support Rating at '3';
--Support Rating Floor at 'BB+';
--Long-term national rating at 'AA+(cri)'; Outlook Stable;
--Short-term national rating at 'F1+(cri)';
--Long-term senior unsecured bonds at 'AA+(cri)';
--Commercial Paper at 'F1+(cri)'.
Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'.
The ratings above were solicited by, or on behalf of, the issuer, and
therefore, Fitch has been compensated for the provision of the ratings.
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
--'Global Financial Institutions Rating Criteria' (Aug. 16, 2011);
--'National Rating Criteria' (Jan. 19, 2011).
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
Global Financial Institutions Rating Criteria
http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=649171
National Ratings Criteria
http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=595885
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DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING
THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS.
IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE
AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'.
PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS
SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS
OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES
AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF
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