OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has affirmed SME Development Bank of Thailand's (SME Bank) Long-Term Foreign Currency IDR of 'BBB+' with a Stable Outlook, Short-Term IDR of 'F2', Support Rating of '2' and Support Rating Floor (SRF) of 'BBB+'.

Simoultaneously, Fitch has chosen to withdraw these ratings for commercial reasons.

SME Bank's Thailand National Ratings are not affected. A full list of rating actions is included at the end of this commentary.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

The IDRs and National Ratings of SME Bank are driven by its SRF of 'BBB+', which reflects Fitch's view that there would be a high probability of extraordinary support from the Thai government, if required.

SME Bank has strong state linkages and was set up under specific legislation to fulfil key public policy initiatives. The bank has a clear policy role to provide credit to smaller companies that have limited access to loans from commercial banks. There are clear precedents of state support to SME Bank in terms of financial compensation and capital injections.

The latest capital injection of THB1bn has driven SME Bank's total regulatory capital ratio to 9.93% at end-June 2015 from 7.46% at end-December 2014. SME Bank's asset quality remains under pressure and will potentially hurt the banks' profitability. However, the bank's performance challenges are unlikely to affect the government's propensity to support SME Bank.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

The National Ratings of SME Bank are already at the top of the scale and hence no upside is possible. On the other hand, any reduction of the ability and propensity of the Thai sovereign (BBB+) to support SME Bank could lead to a downgrade of its National Ratings. For example, a material reduction in the state shareholding or a change in legal status could indicate reduced state support and lead to a downgrade. However, such a shift would be unlikely in the medium term.

The rating actions are as follows:
Long-Term IDR affirmed at 'BBB+'; Outlook Stable, and withdrawn
Short-Term IDR affirmed at 'F2', and withdrawn
Support Rating affirmed at 2, and withdrawn
Support Rating Floor affirmed at 'BBB+', and withdrawn

The following ratings are unaffected by this review:
National Long-Term Rating at 'AAA(tha)'; Outlook Stable
National Short-Term Rating at 'F1+(tha)'