OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has today assigned Russian Universal Bank ("Rusuniversal") ratings at Issuer Default 'B-', Short-term 'B', Individual 'D/E', Support '5' and National Long-term 'BB-' (BB minus)(rus)'. The Outlooks for the Issuer Default and National Long-term ratings are Stable.

The ratings reflect the bank's very small size and limited franchise, risks associated with very high concentration on both sides of the balance sheet, expansion into the risky construction sector and vulnerable liquidity position.

However, they also take into account the bank's currently low level of impaired loans, the generally reasonable credit quality of the defence sector enterprises to which the bank lends and adequate capitalization.