Fitch Rates Bangkok Bank's USD Senior Notes Final 'BBB+'

Monday 17 September 2018 14:37
Fitch Ratings has assigned Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited's (BBL; BBB+/Stable/bbb+) USD1.2 billion senior unsecured notes a final rating of 'BBB+'. The notes will be issued in two tranches, USD600 million for each tranche. The two tranches will have maturities of March 2024 and September 2028.

The note will be issued by BBL's Hong Kong branch under its USD3.0 billion global medium-term note programme, which was affirmed at 'BBB+' on 2 May 2018.

The assignment of the final rating follows the receipt of final documents conforming to the information already received. The final rating is the same as the expected rating assigned on 12 September 2018.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

The senior notes are rated at the same level as BBL's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of 'BBB+', as they represent its unsecured and unsubordinated obligations.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

Any change to BBL's Long-Term IDR, which is driven by its Viability Rating, would have a similar effect on the senior unsecured notes' ratings.

For full details on BBL's key rating drivers and sensitivities, see the previous rating action commentary.