OREANDA-NEWS. National Rating Agency has lowered its reliability rating on SberFund Solnechny Bereg NSPF JSC (SFSB; formerly RESO Sberegatelny Fund NSPF) to 'A+'. At the same time, SFSB is taken off the NRA's Watchlist, where it was placed in December 2014.

The rating downgrade is due to SFSB's new investment strategy, which is more risky in our view than the previous one, and the delay in the Fund's joining the system of pension saving guarantees. The rating is also pressured by SFSB's high exposure to one of the companies managing pension funds. The rating may be revised after the Fund has joined the system of pension saving guarantees.  

The rating benefits from the Fund's long operating track record, strong and stable position in the obligatory pension insurance market and the consistent expansion of accumulated pension savings.