Press Release
Ratings of Samba Bank Limited placed on ‘Rating Watch -Developing’ status
Karachi, October 7, 2021: VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) has maintained the entity ratings of Samba Bank Limited (‘SBL’ or ‘the Bank’) at ‘AA/A-1’ (Double A/A-One). Outlook on the assigned ratings has been revised from ‘Positive’ to ‘Rating Watch - Developing’. The long term rating of ‘AA’ signifies high credit quality; protection factors are strong. Risk is modest but may vary slightly from time to time because of economic conditions. The short term rating of ‘A-1’ signifies high certainty of timely payment; liquidity factors are excellent and supported by good fundamental protection factors. Risk factors are minor. Previous rating action was announced on June 28, 2021.
The revision in outlook incorporates recent disclosure made by the Bank, intimating plans of main sponsor i.e. Saudi National Bank’, to commence orderly divestment from its investment in SBL. In light of planned divestment of main sponsor, the rating is being placed on ‘Rating Watch - Developing’, in accordance with VIS’s Banks’ Rating Methodology. VIS will continue to monitor developments in this regard on an ongoing basis.
For further information on this rating announcement, please contact the undersigned (Ext: 306) or Arsal Ayub, CFA (Ext: 214) at 021-35311861-71 or fax to 021-35311872-3.
Javed Callea
Advisor
Applicable rating criterion: Commercial Banks Methodology - June 2020
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/backupsqlvis/docs/Meth-CommercialBanks202006.pdf