OREANDA-NEWS. December 15, 2015. Fitch Ratings assigns a long-term foreign currency rating of 'A-' to Banco de Credito e Inversiones's (BCI) five-year CHF150 million senior unsecured fixed rate bonds due to 2020.

KEY RATING DRIVERS - VR, IDRs AND NATIONAL RATINGS

BCI's Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) are supported by its Viability Rating (VR) and reflect its strong domestic franchise, sound balance sheet and liquidity management, improved credit quality and capital base, more diversified funding sources, and its stable profitability through the cycle.

The Positive Outlook is based on BCI's VR. Over the next 12-24 months, Fitch will review the execution risks and impact of the acquisition of City National Bank in USA (CNB) on BCI's overall positive trend in financial metrics observed in the recent past. While the expected benefits in revenue and risk, diversification in the new market could allow a more robust balance sheet, in turn, Fitch expects more restricted prospects for the Chilean economy that could put pressure on Chilean banks' profitability and credit quality.

For more information on BCI's ratings, refer to 'Fitch Affirms Banco de Credito e Inversiones' IDRs at 'A-'; Outlook Revised to Positive', dated Nov. 9, 2015, available at www.fitchratings.com.

KEY RATING DRIVERS - SENIOR UNSECURED DEBT

The rating assigned to BCI's new debt issuance corresponds to the bank's long-term IDR and ranks equal to its other senior unsecured debt, considering the absence of credit enhancement or subordination feature.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

IDRs, VR, AND NATIONAL RATINGS

The Rating Outlook for the long-term IDRs and National rating is Positive and is based on BCI's VR. To resolve the assigned Outlook Fitch will evaluate, over the next 12-24 months, the impact and inherent execution risks of the CNB acquisition on BCI's overall positive trend in financial metrics observed in recent past.

An upgrade could take place with continued and balanced growth and strength of its franchise, coupled with a rebuilt FCC ratio of 10% of its RWA, while maintaining its sound overall performance, low risk profile and ample liquidity.

In addition, downward pressure in BCI's VR could result from a deterioration of BCI's capital adequacy ratios, with FCC ratio falling and remaining below 9%. BCI's VR could also be under pressure if operating return on assets falls and remains below 1.5%, or if any unexpected event related to CNB's acquisition of CNB worsens BCI's profitability, credit risk ratios, liquidity, or capital base.

RATING SENSITIVITIES - SENIOR DEBT

The senior unsecured debt would generally move together with bank's long-term rating. The rating of BCI's CHF150 million senior unsecured fixed rate bonds due 2020 would move in tandem with the bank's IDRs.

Fitch currently rates BCI as follows:

--Foreign and local currency long-term IDRs at 'A-'; Outlook Positive;
--Foreign and local currency short-term IDRs at 'F1';
--Viability Rating at 'a-';
--Support Rating at '1';
--Support Rating Floor at 'A-';
--Long-term foreign currency senior unsecured at 'A-';
--Long-term national rating at 'AA+(cl)'; Outlook Positive;
--Short-term national rating at 'N1+(cl)';
--National long-term rating senior unsecured bonds at 'AA+(cl)';
--National long-term rating subordinated bonds at 'AA-'.
--National equity rating at 'Primera Clase Nivel 1'.