OREANDA-NEWS. Based on the documentation provided, Fitch Ratings has assigned Central American Bank for Economic Integration's (CABEI) five-year and 10-year fixed rate senior unsecured notes in Japanese Yen (YPY) a rating of 'A'. A full list of BCIE's current ratings follows at the end of this press release.

CABEI has issued two series of fixed-rate senior unsecured notes under its Japanese Yen Fixed Rate Bond program for a total of JPY 10 billion. The Third Series of notes, maturing December 4, 2020, will total JPY 5.5 billion with a coupon of 0.66%. The Fourth Series of notes, maturing December 4, 2025, will total JPY 4.5 billion and carry a coupon of 0.96%. Interest payments for both series will be paid semi-annually commencing on June 4, 2016 up to and including the maturity date.

The proceeds will be used for general business purposes. The impact on BCIE's leverage of this issuance is not deemed significant by Fitch.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

The notes' ratings are aligned with CABEI's Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of 'A' as these are senior unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all other unsubordinated and unsecured CABEI obligations.

CABEI's ratings reflect its solid capital position, good asset quality metrics and the privileges and immunities conferred on it by its member countries. CABEI's preferred creditor status, ample loan loss reserves coverage and adequate investment policies mitigate the bank's relatively high credit risk exposure. The member countries' creditworthiness relative to higher rated multilateral development banks (MDB) and high loan concentrations weigh on the entity's ratings.

RATING SENSITIVITIES
The ratings on the senior unsecured notes are sensitive to any change in CABEI's long-term foreign currency IDR. The Outlook on CABEI's IDRs is Stable. Improvements in risk management policies that align CABEI's liquidity and investment policies with those of higher rated MDBs could lead to an upgrade of CABEI's IDRs. In addition, a sustainable and substantial reduction in loan concentration, or a material enhancement of the capital base could also move IDRs upward.

An unexpected weakening of CABEI's financial profile including weaker capitalization driven by excessive loan growth, or marked deterioration in asset quality could result in downward pressure on CABEI's ratings.

KEY ASSUMPTIONS

Fitch assumes that member countries, even if experiencing severe difficulties, will continue to honor CABEI's preferred creditor status and exempt its private-sector borrowers from any measures that may affect the transfer and/or convertibility of their debt service payments.

Fitch currently rates CABEI as follows:
International Ratings
--Long-term IDR 'A'; Outlook Stable;
--Short-term IDR 'F1';
--Senior unsecured debt 'A'.