OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has downgraded Banco BTG Pactual S.A.'s (BTG Pactual) Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) to 'BB-' from 'BBB-' and maintained it on Rating Watch Negative. A full list of rating actions follows the end of this release.

KEY RATING DRIVERS
The downgrade on BTG Pactual's ratings reflect the deterioration of the bank's liquidity position and funding franchise, which are closely related to the reputational damage caused by the arrest of it former CEO and main shareholder Andre Esteves. The bank has taken measures (including lending facilities and asset sales/dispositions) to bolster its liquidity and withstand the substantial withdrawal of funds. Fitch believes that these measures, if successfully completed, could help the bank withstand this turbulent period and restore liquidity to more stable levels. Even so, the deterioration on the bank's funding franchise seems clear and its ability to recompose its funding base will be a key aspect to be monitored over the immediate future. More importantly, the bank's ability to continue originating business on its areas of activity will be monitored.

Fitch notes that the changes in the bank's leadership and control, with the replacement of Mr. Andre Esteves as CEO and Chairman and the removal of its role as main controller of the bank through a share swap, is a step in the right direction in terms of corporate governance, but the image of the bank remains closely connected to Mr. Esteves. Also, the emergence of accusations and official investigations related to the bank's business and deals may/will continue to weigh on the bank's reputation and further weaken its franchise and financial flexibility.

As such, BTG Pactual's Viability Rating (VR) was downgraded to 'bb-' from 'bbb-' as the bank's company profile has weakened in Fitch's assessment and its ability to remain a leading investment bank in Latin America will be stress-tested. Liquidity positions should benefit from asset sales such as the sale of its stake on hospital chain Rede D'Or. Also, the settlement of some derivatives and treasury exposures and the non-renewal of maturing loan transactions could bring additional comfort in terms of leverage and capitalization, but the bank is yet challenged to complete these actions on a timely basis and under reasonable terms and conditions.

The maintenance of its Rating Watch Negative reflects the uncertainties surrounding the bank's ability to originate businesses in the short and medium term and how the bank's financial profile might be affected by the rapidly changing scenario. Also, Fitch will monitor the outcomes of ongoing investigations on Mr. Esteves and wait for a clarification about accusations about the bank's involvement on corruptions schemes or any type of wrongdoing.

All the long-term International and National ratings of the subsidiaries (in Brazil and abroad) included in this review are based on the support expected from BTG Pactual, hence, the rating actions on the subsidiaries mirror that on their parent bank.

RATING SENSITIVITIES
BTG Pactual's ratings could be downgraded if the current situation and new events further undermines its company profile, if the measures to restore liquidity are not successfully and timely implemented, or if the bank's businesses start to show signs of a clear deterioration, which could lead to sizable reduction of its future earnings, or to a limitation of its ability to continue to perform its pipeline of business in the short or medium term. A significant increase on its funding costs that hampers profitability may also result in additional downgrades.

Similarly, a formal accusation of wrongdoing involving the bank's operations and transactions could also lead to an additional downgrade.

The ratings could be removed from Rating Watch Negative and reverted to its previous Outlook (Negative) once Fitch is comfortable about the stability of the aforementioned financial aspects of the company and its franchise.

Any changes in BTG Pactual's ratings or its willingness to support its subsidiaries would affect the ratings of the subsidiaries.

BTG Pactual is a regional investment bank with a leadership position in Brazil and a growing franchise in Latin America, mostly focus on investment banking activities, assets management, securities and commodities trading and also, recently completed the acquisition of a private bank in Switzerland dedicated to serve high net worth people in Europe.

Fitch has taken the following rating actions:

Banco BTG Pactual S.A.
--Long-term foreign and local currency IDRs downgraded to 'BB-' from 'BBB-', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Short-term foreign and local currency IDRs downgraded to 'B' from 'F3', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Viability Rating downgraded to 'bb-' from 'bbb-', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Long-term National Rating downgraded to 'A-(bra)' from 'AA(bra)', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Short-term National Rating downgraded to 'F2(bra)' from 'F1+(bra)', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Support Rating affirmed at '5';
--Support Rating Floor affirmed at 'NF';
--Senior unsecured notes, due in March 2016, foreign currency rating downgraded to 'BB-' from 'BBB-', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Senior unsecured notes, due in July 2016, foreign currency rating downgraded to 'BB-' from 'BBB-', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Senior unsecured notes, due in September 2017, foreign currency rating downgraded to 'BB-' from 'BBB-', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Senior unsecured notes due in January 2020, foreign currency rating downgraded to 'BB-' from 'BBB-', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Senior unsecured notes due in January 2034, foreign currency rating downgraded to 'BB-' from 'BBB-', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Subordinated notes due in September 2022, foreign currency rating downgraded to 'B' from 'BB', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Perpetual non-cumulative junior subordinated notes, foreign currency rating downgraded to 'B-' from 'B+', Rating Watch Negative Maintained.

BTG Investments LP
--Long-term foreign and local currency IDRs downgraded to 'B+' from 'BB+', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Support Rating downgraded to '4' from '2', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Senior guaranteed notes downgraded to 'BB-' from 'BBB-', Rating Watch Negative Maintained.

BTG Pactual Holding S.A.
--Long-term foreign and local currency IDRs downgraded to 'BB-' from 'BBB-', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Short-term foreign and local currency IDRs downgraded to 'B' from 'F3', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Long-term National Rating downgraded to 'A-(bra)' from 'AA(bra)', Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Support Rating affirmed at '5';
--Support Rating Floor affirmed at 'NF';
--Short-term National Rating downgraded to 'F2(bra)' from 'F1+(bra)', Rating Watch Negative Maintained.

Pan Seguros S.A.
--National Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) downgraded to 'BBB+(bra)' from 'AA-(bra)', Rating Watch Negative Maintained.

BTG Pactual Colombia S.A.
--Long-term National Rating downgraded to 'A(col)' from 'AA+(col)'; Rating Watch Negative Maintained;
--Short-term National Rating downgraded to 'F1(col)' from 'F1+(col)', Rating Watch Negative Maintained.