Bangkok--21 Sep--Fitch Ratings
Fitch Ratings Thailand has today affirmed the National Long-Term Ratings on the Thai baht-denominated senior unsecured notes of Mizuho Bank, Ltd. (MHBK; A-/Stable/F1) and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC; A/Stable/F1), Bangkok Branch at 'AAA(tha)'.
KEY RATING DRIVERS
The National Long-Term Ratings on the notes are based on the Long-Term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) of MHBK and SMBC at 'A-' and 'A' respectively. These IDRs are higher than Thailand's Long-Term Local Currency IDR of 'BBB+' and hence correlate to 'AAA (tha)', the highest rating on Thailand's National Rating Scale.
For additional information on MHBK and SMBC, please refer to the latest rating action commentary, entitled Fitch Revises Outlooks for Japanese Major Banks to Stable; Upgrades VR of MHFG, dated 2 May 2017 and available at www.fitchratings.com.
RATING SENSITIVITIES
The ratings on the senior unsecured notes of MHBK and SMBC, Bangkok Branch are already the highest level on the national scale; hence, no rating upside is possible.
A downgrade could be triggered if the Long-Term Foreign-Currency IDRs of either MHBK or SMBC were to be lowered to below Thailand's Long-Term Local-Currency IDR, whether by a downgrade of the banks or an upgrade of Thailand above the banks. However, both scenarios appear unlikely in the near term given the current gaps between the ratings of the banks and Thailand and their Stable Outlooks.
The rating actions are as followed:
MHBK:
- National Long-Term Rating on THB3.0 billion senior unsecured notes affirmed at 'AAA(tha)'
SMBC, Bangkok Branch:
- National Long-Term Rating on THB3.5 billion senior unsecured notes affirmed at 'AAA(tha)'
- National Long-Term Rating on THB4.0 billion senior unsecured notes affirmed at 'AAA(tha)'