OREANDA-NEWS. August 02, 2012. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said that it had affirmed its 'B-' long-term and 'C' short-term counterparty credit ratings on Kazakhstan-based Bank RBK JSC. The outlook is stable, reported the press-centre of KASE.

We also affirmed the 'kzBB-' Kazakhstan national scale rating on the bank. The rating affirmations follow a decision by the Kazakh regulator to suspend Bank RBK's license to take new retail deposits for six months, effective July 9, 2012. They reflect our view that the suspension will have no material negative impact on the bank's business and financial profiles.

In our opinion, Bank RBK will be able to maintain adequate liquidity and capitalization in the event of retail deposit outflows in connection with the licence suspension. As of July 17, 2012, the bank had an "adequate" liquidity position, with Kazakhstani tenge (KZT) 21.5 billion (USD 140 million) in liquid assets, including corporate securities, of which KZT7.7 billion was in cash  and correspondent accounts.

The bank's liquid assets cover the total retail depositor base. We expect inflows of corporate deposits partly to compensate for any outflow of retail deposits.