OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has today revised ProCredit Bank (Macedonia)'s (PCBM) Outlook to Negative from Stable. At the same time, the agency affirmed the bank's ratings at Long- and Short-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) 'BBB-'/'F3', and at Support '2'. The 'b+' Viability Rating was not affected by this rating action. A full list of the ratings is available at the end of this rating action commentary.

The rating action follows Fitch's revision of the Outlook on the Macedonian sovereign rating (see 'Fitch Revises Macedonia's Outlook to Negative, Affirms at 'BB+' dated 21 August 2015 on www.fitchratings.com).

KEY RATING DRIVERS

PCBM's IDRs and Support Rating are driven by potential support from its parent, ProCredit Holding AG & Co. KGaA (PCH, BBB/Stable). The support considerations take into account the 100% ownership, common branding, close parental integration and a track record of timely capital and liquidity support to group banks from PCH. Absent of Country Ceiling constraints, these considerations are typically reflected in a one notch differential between the rating of the parent, PCH, and that of PCBM.

PCH's ratings are based on Fitch's view of the support it could expect to receive from its core international financial institution (IFI) shareholders when needed. Fitch's view of support is based on PCH's ownership, effective corporate governance and the important and successful development role it fulfils in advancing responsible financing and small business lending in developing markets. This mission is in keeping with the developmental mandates of the core shareholders.

The Negative Outlook on PCBM's IDRs reflects that on Macedonia's Long-term foreign and local currency IDRs. PCBM's IDRs are currently at the level of Macedonia's Country Ceiling (BBB-), based on Fitch's view of strong support - if needed - from its German-based parent. A downgrade of the Country Ceiling and sovereign rating of Macedonia would lead to the Long-term foreign currency IDR of PCBM being capped by Macedonia's Country Ceiling, and would result in a wider notching between PCH's and PCBM's foreign currency IDRs.

RATING SENSITIVITIES
PCBM's IDRs are at the level of Macedonia's Country Ceiling. The IDR and Support Rating would therefore be sensitive to a downgrade of the Country Ceiling.

A downgrade of PCH's ratings or a weakening in Fitch's view of the parental support available to the bank would also result in a downgrade of its IDRs and Support Rating, although neither is expected by Fitch.

The rating actions are as follows:

Long-term foreign and local currency IDRs affirmed at 'BBB-'; Outlook revised to Negative from Stable
Short-term foreign and local currency IDR affirmed at 'F3'
Viability Rating: unaffected at 'b+'
Support Rating: affirmed at '2'.