OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has assigned Singapore-based United Overseas Bank Limited's (UOB) proposed US dollar-denominated Basel III-compliant Tier 2 subordinated notes an expected rating of 'A+(EXP)'. The notes will be issued under the bank's SGD15bn euro medium-term note (EMTN) programme.

The final rating is subject to the receipt of final documentation conforming to information already received.

KEY RATING DRIVERS
The Basel III-compliant Tier 2 securities are rated one notch below UOB's 'aa-' Viability Rating (VR) to reflect their higher loss-severity risk relative to senior unsecured instruments. This is due to their subordinated status, the presence of a non-viability clause and the partial rather than mandatory full write-down feature at the point of non-viability.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has sole discretion in determining if UOB is non-viable, and if it does so, the securities may be written down in full or in part to the extent necessary to restore the viability of the bank. A write-down of the Tier 2 notes will occur only after any Additional Tier 1 securities with loss-absorption features have been fully written off, after which the Tier 2 notes would be written down pro rata with other parity Tier 2 instruments that contain loss-absorption features. The write-down will be permanent.

No additional notching has been ascribed to non-performance risk, as Fitch regards it to be minimal relative to the VR assigned. The instruments will not qualify for equity credit under Fitch's criteria.

In the event of any winding-up proceeding, holders of these securities - and other Tier 2 securities of UOB - will rank below the bank's senior creditors, including covered bondholders and depositors, but above the bank's ordinary shareholders, preference shareholders and holders of perpetual capital securities in priority of claims. The notes will rank pari passu with all subordinated debts issued by UOB that qualify as Tier 2 capital securities.

RATING SENSITIVITIES
A change in UOB's VR will have an impact on the securities rating.

UOB's other ratings are as follows:
Long-Term Issuer Default Rating 'AA-'; Outlook Stable
Short-Term Issuer Default Rating 'F1+'
Viability Rating 'aa-'
Support Rating '1'
Support Rating Floor 'A-'