OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has affirmed Banque Pictet & Cie SA's (Banque Pictet) Long- and Short-term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'AA-'/'F1+' and its Viability Rating (VR) at 'aa-' respectively. Its Support Rating and Support Rating Floor (SRF) have been affirmed at '5' and 'No Floor', respectively. The Outlook on the Long-term IDR is Stable.

KEY RATING DRIVERS
VR AND IDRS
The ratings of Banque Pictet, the operating banking subsidiary of the Pictet group, consider the group's low risk appetite, a factor which Fitch believes to be of high importance in assessing its ratings. We do not expect this low risk appetite to change in the medium term. On-balance sheet credit exposure is limited and arises mainly from the group's highly-rated securities portfolio and Lombard loans. The former are mainly liquid sovereign and supranational bonds, while the latter are loans collateralised by securities portfolios where material haircuts on the lending values have been applied.

Market risk is low and tightly controlled. While low interest rates may ultimately lead to modest growth of on-balance sheet activities to offset margin pressures, Fitch does not expect this to signal an increase in its overall risk appetite.

The group's company profile is also of high importance, based on a sound franchise in private banking, supported by a long track record and diversified geographical presence, and complemented by a profitable asset management division.

Pictet Group has historically built on a strong private banking business and has successfully expanded its franchise to become one of Switzerland's largest pure wealth and asset managers. Pictet Group had CHF435bn assets under management (AuM) and custody at end-2014, which in Fitch's opinion places the bank in a strong position to operate in a sector faced with increasing regulatory requirements. Net new money inflows in 2014 were sound and balanced across wealth management, asset management and asset services.

Continued AuM growth and notable contributions from the asset management business have resulted in sound and stable earnings that are largely fee-based. Private banking's inherently high cost base means that the bank will continue to concentrate on managing operating expenses efficiency. Fitch expects the appreciation of the Swiss franc to put further pressure on earnings, as the bank incurs a large proportion of operating expenses in Switzerland. Aligning the currency composition of revenues and costs should help mitigate this challenge.

Banque Pictet faces a possible financial penalty linked to the US Department of Justice's (DoJ) investigation. While this fine is subject to considerable uncertainty, Fitch expects it to be manageable and non-recurring, as it relates to the bank's legacy business. However, the size of the fine could be material as Banque Pictet was included in 'Category 1' by the DoJ and was therefore unable to take part in the Swiss bank programme for other private banks, where the level of fines is more predictable. The inquiry, which was launched in late 2012, concerns US-related accounts potentially linked to tax-related offenses.

In line with Swiss private banking peers, the implementation of automatic exchange of information by 2018 is likely to result in incremental costs for Banque Pictet as its data reporting systems' capabilities are upgraded. While considerable progress has been achieved, greater centralisation of IT platforms across the Pictet Group, which should facilitate data capture and credit risk management, is still ongoing.

Banque Pictet's capitalisation is sound and comprises both Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital and a subordinated loan from the holding company, which qualifies as eligible additional Tier 1 capital. At end-2014, Pictet Group reported a strong 21.3% CET1 ratio. Fitch believes that capital and liquidity are easily transferable among the operating entities of the group, subject to regulatory limits. This ensures that ordinary capital support from the parent for Banque Pictet would be available, which underpins its ratings. The large proportion of liquid, mainly short-term assets on the group's balance sheet, supports its strong liquidity.

SUPPORT RATING AND SRF
Banque Pictet's Support Rating and SRF reflect Fitch's view that sovereign support, while possible, cannot be relied upon. The group caters for an affluent international client base and does not have a retail deposit franchise in Switzerland.

Extraordinary support provided from Pictet Group partners' private wealth is possible, but cannot be relied upon.

RATING SENSITIVITIES
VR AND IDRS
The Stable Outlook reflects Fitch's expectation that any litigation or operational costs faced by Banque Pictet will not permanently dent its capital buffers. The ratings are therefore sensitive to a sizeable operational loss or higher-than-expected legal penalty or fine that would erode capitalisation without credible plans to restore it swiftly. The ratings are also sensitive to a weakening of the group's franchise, which could result from a loss of reputation.

The ratings would also come under pressure if Banque Pictet increases its risk appetite unexpectedly. This could take the form, for example, of higher balance sheet risks in the loan or securities portfolio to support earnings.

The ratings are also sensitive to weaker operating profitability, which could arise from structural increases in operating expenses.

Given Banque Pictet's high ratings relative to peers and the challenges facing the sector, upside potential remains limited.