OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook on Malta-based Fimbank Plc's (FIM) Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to Positive from Stable and affirmed the IDR at 'BB-'. At the same time, Fitch has affirmed FIM's Short-term IDR at 'B', Viability Rating (VR) at 'bb-' and Support Rating (SR) at '5'.

Fitch has withdrawn the Support Rating Floor of 'No Floor', which applies to sovereign support only, because we believe that any support for FIM would be institutional from its owners rather than from the Maltese sovereign where it is based.

The revision of the Outlook reflects Fitch's view that FIM over the next two years is likely to be closely integrated into Kuwait-based Burgan Bank (A+/Stable/bb). As a consequence, due to stronger institutional support factors, FIM's IDRs could potentially be upgraded by more than one notch, reflecting Burgan's ability and propensity to support FIM.

KEY RATING DRIVERS
IDRs and VR
FIM's VR and IDRs are driven by its niche trade finance focus and expertise, with business volumes generated in a number of emerging markets, including the Middle East and North Africa. They also reflect weak financial metrics, particularly profitability, asset quality and capitalisation. FIM's ultimate parent is Kuwait Projects Company Holding K.S.C.P. (KIPCO) group, via its banking subsidiaries, Bahrain-based United Gulf Bank (61.2% stake) and Burgan Bank (Burgan; 19.72%). While FIM's integration into the group has been slow to date, the relationship with KIPCO/Burgan is strong.

FIM's Fitch core capital/weighted risks ratio was 13.4% at end-June 2015, which we view as weak in the context of high level of unreserved impaired assets and high asset concentration. Most of FIM's credit deterioration was from factoring assets in India and Russia. Fitch expects asset quality pressures to decrease given the adoption of a stronger write-off policy as well as the centralisation of risk controls in line with Burgan. We also expect FIM's revenue generation to improve with access to cheaper funding from Burgan. However, FIM's profitability will remain weak due to its high cost structure and sizeable impairment charges.

The Positive Outlook reflects Fitch's belief that FIM's will be integrated and be supported, if required, by Burgan in the foreseeable future. Looking at KIPCO's past acquisitions, Fitch believes that FIM will gradually play a key and integral role in the Burgan group.

KEY RATING DRIVERS
SUPPORT RATING
FIM's SR of '5' reflects Fitch's view that in case of need the bank would first look for support from its direct shareholders. While there is a possibility of support from Burgan, Fitch believes that such support cannot be relied upon given the limited integration of FIM with the group at present.

RATING SENSITIVITIES
IDRS, VR AND SR
An upgrade of the VR would primarily come from a substantial recovery of asset quality and earnings, and/or evidence of improved risk controls. Conversely, FIM's VR would be downgraded if asset quality continues to weaken materially, putting earnings and capital under further significant pressure. If the dominant role of KIPCO in FIM's shareholding means strategic changes that involve, for example, an even higher risk profile and/or weaker capital and leverage, there would also be downward rating pressure. As long as FIM is not more integrated into Burgan, any rating action on the VR would be reflected on the IDR.

FIM's IDR and SR could potentially be upgraded by more than one notch if Fitch believes that support from its owners becomes more likely, for example if it becomes more closely integrated into Burgan.