OREANDA-NEWS. December 08, 2015. Fitch Ratings has affirmed Norway-based KLP Banken AS Group's (KLP Banken) and its public sector covered bond issuing subsidiary, KLP Kommunekreditt AS's Long-term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'A-' with Stable Outlooks. At the same time, the agency has affirmed both entities' Support Ratings at '1' and upgraded the Short-term IDRs to 'F1' from 'F2'.

KEY RATING DRIVERS
IDRS AND SUPPORT RATINGS
Both entities' ratings are driven by institutional support from their ultimate parent, Kommunal Landspensjonskasse (KLP; IDR A/Stable), one of Norway's largest life insurance companies. Fitch considers that there continues to be an extremely high probability of support in case of need for both entities given the strong strategic synergies with KLP, the high level of integration and the reputational risk for KLP. The one-notch difference between the entities' IDRs and KLP's 'A' Long-term IDR considers the bank's relatively small contribution to KLP's overall revenues and earnings and the fact that KLP is still primarily a provider of life insurance products. In Fitch's view, a disposal of the two entities would not fundamentally alter the KLP's overall franchise.

KLP Banken provides additional banking services to KLP pension scheme members and manages KLP's public-sector and mortgage lending activities. Both public sector and mortgage loans are attractive and important asset classes for KLP, and the bank gives the group access to this through its own customer base.

KLP Kommunekreditt AS is a wholly owned subsidiary and issues public sector covered bonds on behalf of KLP Banken. Its ratings are equalised with those of KLP Banken due to the high level of integration between the two entities.

KLP has previously provided support to KLP Banken and KLP Kommunekreditt through loan purchases to provide liquidity and capital injections. The banking group is small in relation to the parent, representing 5.5% of total group assets of NOK526bn at end-September 2015. Fitch believes that KLP's ability to support the two entities is high. KLP has a strong capital position, with a regulatory solvency ratio of 245% at end-September 2015, and excess capital would be readily available to provide support if necessary.

The Short-term IDRs reflect Fitch's view that liquidity support would be readily available to support KLP Banken and KLP Kommunekreditt. KLP has committed to buying NOK5bn of loans from KLP Kommunekreditt (20% of KLP Banken's total loan portfolio at end-September 2015), but Fitch also believe the group has capacity and willingness to buy higher volumes.

Due to the high level of integration, Fitch does not assign Viability Ratings to the entities.

RATING SENSITIVITIES
IDRS AND SUPPORT RATINGS
As they are support driven, KLP Banken's and KLP Kommunekreditt's IDRs and Support Ratings are sensitive to any change in KLP's IDRs or a change in Fitch's assessment of KLP's ability or propensity to support the two entities.

In the longer term, the entities' IDRs could be upgraded and aligned with KLP's IDRs if the banking group increases in importance to KLP and the entities become key and integral parts of the group's business.