OREANDA-NEWS. August 03, 2015. Fitch Ratings has affirmed BMCE Capital Gestion's (BKG) National Asset Manager Rating at 'Highest Standards(mar)' with Stable Outlook.

KEY RATING DRIVERS
The rating reflects the robustness of BKG's investment and operational platform, which is supported by advanced integrated technology. It also reflects a well-established, growing franchise, which benefits from the strategic commitment of BMCE Bank (BB+/Stable), the parent of BKG. The asset manager differentiates itself from domestic peers by its technology, client interface and capacity to innovate. The rating also reflects the organisation's staffing depth and solid control framework.

BKG's 'Highest Standards(mar)' rating is based on the following category scores:

Company: Highest
Controls: Highest
Investments: Highest
Operations: Highest
Technology: Highest

Asset manager operations in the 'Highest Standards(mar)' category demonstrate an investment platform and operational framework that Fitch considers superior relative to the standard applied by domestic institutional investors.

Company
As the third-largest asset manager in Morocco, BKG has a long track record and well established domestic market presence, supported by BMCE Bank's banking network. The company's strategic vision and operational agility support its pan-African and new products development plans. BKG is highly profitable and outsources support functions such as IT and risk management to BMCE Capital, the investment bank of BMCE Group. Depth, adequacy, stability and targeted recruitment to support new, innovative strategies, characterise BKG's staffing.

Controls
BKG has an effective risk and governance framework that is well embedded in the business but also benefits from the independent oversight from risk functions and committees. Fitch notes in particular the high quality of credit risk measurement and management, relative to peers. Documented procedures and controls and formal reporting mechanisms further support the effectiveness of the control environment. Investment and credit risk limits as well as client guidelines are fully set up in the core system, Sophis Value.

Investments
BKG's investment processes are supported by staffing and IT resources, which fully meet the requirements of the funds managed. Investment decision-making and monitoring are formalised and conducted as a team. In Fitch's view, BKG's investment teams have the skills, tools and capacity to manage and structure sophisticated, innovative products, as demonstrated by the launch in 2015 of five strategies new to the Moroccan market.

Operations
Investment operations are scalable and robust, allowing BKG to manage increased volumes, including in other locations, and more sophisticated or customised products. Reporting to investors provides regular and appropriate information for all client segments. Mutual fund investors and management reporting capabilities were enhanced in 2014, positioning BKG ahead of its peers.

Technology
BKG benefits from an international-standards technological platform built around Sophis Value. Data-warehouse and system interfaces (with accounting system) further support the front-to-back office system integration. BKG has completed a major upgrade of Sophis Value this year. Advanced technology provides BKG with a clear competitive advantage. Specifically, BKG is digitalising its client interface, through the launch of a new investment e-platform in Q4 2015.

Created in 1995, BKG is a subsidiary of BMCE Bank, the third-largest bank in Morocco, which is 32%-owned by the Moroccan holding company FinanceCom and 25% by the Banque Federative du Credit Mutuel. At end-June 2015, BKG was managing MAD43.9bn worth of assets, on behalf of domestic retail clients, corporates and large institutional investors. In line with the overall local market, most of these assets are concentrated in domestic fixed income and money market assets (93%). At end-June 2015, BKG employed 34 people, including 10 investment professionals.

RATING SENSITIVITIES
The rating may be sensitive to material adverse changes to any of the rating drivers, notably through weakened financial conditions, material operational loss, heightened staff turnover or deterioration of processes and policies. A material deviation from Fitch guidelines for any key rating driver could cause the rating to be downgraded.