OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has today affirmed the ratings for People's United Financial, Inc. (PBCT) and its subsidiaries at 'BBB+' with a Stable Outlook and has subsequently withdrawn them. Fitch has chosen to withdraw the ratings of PBCT for commercial reasons. A full list of rating actions is at the end of this release.

KEY RATING DRIVERS
IDRS, NATIONAL RATINGS AND SENIOR DEBT

PBCT's ratings affirmation reflects the company's good history of execution on its strategy, solid management team and low credit costs through the cycle. However, the affirmation also reflects declining capital levels combined with elevated commercial loan growth and continued earnings weakness. Fitch had previously considered capital a relative rating strength versus peers, with an expectation that PBCT's profitability measures would improve as an offset.

PBCT's earnings continue to rank near the bottom of the mid-tier bank peer group. Weak earnings are primarily attributable to low interest rates which have resulted in net interest margin (NIM) compression felt by most of the industry. Although PBCT's balance sheet is asset sensitive and should benefit in a rising rate environment, Fitch expects earnings to perform below the peer median over the medium term based on returns on average assets.

Fitch has noted that the company's capital has continued to decline from historical averages. However, current capital ratios are in line with current rating and remain satisfactory.

Asset quality is the primary ratings strength for the institution. The company experienced lower levels of problem loans and had much less loss content than its peer banks. Fitch attributes the superior performance to solid underwriting, relatively stronger local markets and sound credit risk management. However, PBCT has experienced very strong commercial loan growth over multiple years, which Fitch believes could lead to asset quality performance below the company's very strong historical trends.

RATING SENSITIVITIES - IDRS, VRs, AND SENIOR DEBT
Rating sensitivities are no longer relevant given today's rating withdrawal.

RATING SENSITIVITIES - HOLDING COMPANY
Rating sensitivities are no longer relevant given today's rating withdrawal.

KEY RATING DRIVERS - SUPPORT RATING AND SUPPORT RATING FLOOR
PBCT has a Support Rating of '5' and Support Rating Floor of 'NF'. In Fitch's view, PBCT is not systemically important and therefore, the probability of support is unlikely. IDRs and VRs do not incorporate any support.

RATING SENSITIVITIES - SUPPORT RATING AND SUPPORT RATING FLOOR
Rating sensitivities are no longer relevant given today's rating withdrawal.

KEY RATING DRIVERS - SUBORDINATED DEBT AND OTHER HYBRID SECURITIES
Subordinated debt and other hybrid capital issued by PBCT and by various issuing vehicles are all notched down from PBCT or its bank subsidiaries' VRs in accordance with Fitch's assessment of each instrument's respective non-performance and relative loss severity risk profiles.

RATING SENSITIVITIES - SUBORDINATED DEBT AND OTHER HYBRID SECURITIES
Rating sensitivities are no longer relevant given today's rating withdrawal.

KEY RATING DRIVERS - LONG- AND SHORT-TERM DEPOSIT RATINGS
PBCT's uninsured deposit ratings are rated one notch higher than the company's IDR and senior unsecured debt because U.S. uninsured deposits benefit from depositor preference. U.S. depositor preference gives deposit liabilities superior recovery prospects in the event of default.

KEY RATING SENSITIVITIES - LONG- AND SHORT-TERM DEPOSIT RATINGS
Rating sensitivities are no longer relevant given today's rating withdrawal.

Fitch has affirmed and withdrawn the following ratings:

People's United Financial, Inc.
--Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'BBB+';
--Viability rating at 'bbb+';
--Senior unsecured at 'BBB+';
--Short-term IDR at 'F2'.

People's United Bank
--Long-term IDR at 'BBB+';
--Viability rating at 'bbb+';
--Subordinated debt at 'BBB';
--Long-term deposits at 'A-';
--Short-term IDR at 'F2';
--Short-term deposits at 'F2'.

Chittenden Corporation
-Subordinated debt at 'BBB'.

People's United Financial, Inc.
--Support at '5';
--Support floor at 'NF'.

People's United Bank
--Support at '5';
--Support floor at 'NF'.