Fitch rates HNB’s subordinated debt up to Rs.7bn final ‘A+(lka)’

Fitch Ratings yesterday assigned Hatton National Bank PLC’s (HNB, AA-(lka)/Stable) proposed subordinated debentures of up to Rs.7 billion a final national long-term rating of ‘A+(lka)’.

The assignment of the final rating follows the receipt of documents conforming to information already received and the final rating is the same as the expected rating assigned for the subordinated debt on September 4, 2015.

The issue will have a tenor of five years with fixed coupon payments. HNB expects to use the proceeds to reduce asset and liability maturity mismatches while improving its Tier II capital base.
The proposed subordinated debentures are rated one notch below HNB’s national long-term rating, to reflect the subordination to senior unsecured creditors.

HNB’s rating reflects its strong franchise, satisfactory capitalisation, established track record and higher risk appetite than its better-rated peers.