OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings plans to withdraw the ratings of OP Financial Group and Pohjola Bank Plc on or about, 5 January 2016, which is approximately 35 days from the date of this announcement. Fitch is withdrawing the ratings for commercial reasons.

Fitch currently rates OP Financial Group and Pohjola Bank Plc as follows:

OP Financial Group
Long-term IDR at 'A+'; Outlook Stable
Short-term IDR at 'F1'
Viability Rating at 'a+'
Support Rating at '5'
Support Rating Floor at 'No Floor'

Pohjola Bank Plc
Long-term IDR at 'A+'; Outlook Stable
Short-term IDR at 'F1'
Support Rating at '5'
Support Rating Floor at 'No Floor'

Fitch reserves the right in its sole discretion to withdraw or maintain any rating at any time for any reason it deems sufficient. Fitch believes that investors benefit from increased rating coverage by Fitch and is providing approximately 35 days' notice to the market of the rating withdrawal of OP Financial Group and Pohjola Bank Plc. Ratings are subject to analytical review and may change up to the time Fitch withdraws the ratings.

Fitch's last rating action on the entities was on 9 June 2015. The ratings were affirmed.