OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings Indonesia has affirmed Indonesia-based PT Bank BRI Syariah's (BRIS) National Long-Term Rating at 'AA+(idn)' with Stable Outlook and National Short Term Rating at 'F1+(idn)'. BRIS is the third-largest sharia-compliant bank in Indonesia by total assets.

'AA' National Ratings denote expectations of very low default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. The default risk inherently differs only slightly from that of the country's highest rated issuers or obligations.

'F1' National Ratings indicate the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. On Fitch's National Rating scale, this rating is assigned to the lowest default risk relative to others in the same country. Where the liquidity profile is particularly strong, a "+" is added to the assigned rating.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

BRIS's National Long-Term Rating reflects Fitch's belief that BRIS's parent, PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BRI; AAA(idn)/Stable), would be highly likely to provide extraordinary support, if needed. Fitch views BRIS as the core subsidiary that BRI uses to expand its sharia banking business in Indonesia.

BRIS is rated one notch down from its parent to take into account BRIS's limited significance in term of its contribution to the parent's overall franchise. The disposal of BRIS, although highly unlikely, would not fundamentally alter BRI's overall franchise. Fitch believes BRI will provide capital support to BRIS, in time of need, as evidenced by recent capital injections in July 2015. In Fitch's view, as BRIS's loan book expands, it would require periodic capital injections from BRI to maintain sound core capitalisation.

BRIS's profitability and asset quality weakened amid a more challenging economic environment in 1H15. The bank posted higher loan impairment charges, due mainly to an increase in impaired loans in 1H15 and 2014. Fitch expects BRIS's asset quality and profitability to continue to be under pressure in the near to medium term due to potential higher credit cost.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

Any significant dilution in ownership by or perceived weakening of support from BRI would be negative for BRIS's National Ratings. Positive rating action could arise if there is evidence of a significant increase in BRIS's contribution to BRI in terms of revenue, profit, franchise or other synergies. Fitch expects BRIS to continue to be BRI's only core subsidiary to expand its sharia banking business in Indonesia.